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.

Charlestown is a good choice for families with children because of several factors. Many other families with children live here, making it a place where both parents and children are more likely to develop social ties with other families. The town’s good public school district and large population of college-educated adults provide an environment conducive to academic success. Many people own their own single-family homes, providing areas for children to play and stability in the 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 is that it can take a long time to commute to work. In Charlestown, the average commute to work is 30.82 minutes, which is quite a bit higher than the national average.

The education level of Charlestown ranks among the highest in the nation. Of the 25-and-older adult population in Charlestown, 41.55% have at least a bachelor's degree. The typical US community has just 21.84% of its adults holding a bachelor's degree or graduate degree.

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.