Charlestown is a somewhat small coastal town (i.e. on the ocean, a bay, or inlet) located in the state of Rhode Island. With a population of 8,044 people and two associated neighborhoods, Charlestown is the 33rd largest community in Rhode Island.

Housing costs in Charlestown are among some of the highest in the nation, although real estate prices here don't compare to real estate prices in the most expensive communities in Rhode Island.

A relatively large number of people in Charlestown telecommute to their jobs. Overall, about 13.27% of the workforce works from home. While this may seem like a small number, as a fraction of the total workforce it ranks among the highest in the country. These workers are often telecommuters who work in knowledge-based, white-collar professions. For example, Silicon Valley has large numbers of people who telecommute. Other at-home workers may be self-employed people who operate small businesses out of their homes.

Another notable thing is that Charlestown is an extremely popular vacation destination. A significant portion of the population is seasonal. During the vacation season, the town experiences a large influx of people who take up residence in second homes they own in the area. As the vacation season ends, the population drops again, leaving behind a substantially quieter and smaller town.

Because of many things, Charlestown is a great place for families with children to consider. First of all, many other families with children live here, making Charlestown a place where both parents and children are more likely to develop social ties with other families, as well as find family-oriented services and community. The town’s good public school district and large population of college-educated adults provide an environment conducive to academic values. With regard to real estate, Charlestown has a high rate of owner-occupied single family homes, which tends to reflect stability in the local community. Finally, Charlestown’s overall crime rate is lower than average for the country.

Charlestown is also nautical, which means that parts of it are somewhat historic and touch the ocean or tidal bodies of water, such as inlets and bays. Such areas are often places that visitors and locals go for waterfront activities or taking in the scenery.

One downside of living in Charlestown, however, is that residents on average have to contend with a long commute, spending on average 30.82 minutes every day commuting to work.

Charlestown is one of the most well-educated cities in the nation. 41.55% of adults in Charlestown have at least a bachelor's degree. Compare that to the average community in America, which has just 21.84% with a bachelor's degree or higher.

The per capita income in Charlestown in 2022 was $61,176, which is wealthy relative to Rhode Island and the nation. This equates to an annual income of $244,704 for a family of four.

The people who call Charlestown home describe themselves as belonging to a variety of racial and ethnic groups. The greatest number of Charlestown residents report their race to be White, followed by Native American. Important ancestries of people in Charlestown include English, Irish, Italian, French, and German.

The most common language spoken in Charlestown is English. Other important languages spoken here include Spanish and Native American languages.