Today, the year-round population is rapidly increasing. The town's population and housing grew by 24 percent over the decade from 1980 to 1990. With 14,985 residents by 1990, it ranks 24 out of 39 communities in the state. Housing reached 8,206 units, from 6,587 in 1980. Eighty-seven percent of residents have a high school degree or more.
Commercial development is geared to tourist-oriented businesses.
Other development is centered on the waterfront and research activities of the State of Rhode Island and the federal government at the University of Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay Campus. Galilee, a protected harbor, is the center of the state's fishing industry. Naragansett's 12 continuous miles of waterfront include Point Judith Pond, which is the largest salt pond in the state, four public beaches and facilities for small-boat anchorage. The parallel pair of stone arches spanning Ocean Road, anchored on either side by curved towers, are a powerful image today of a glorious bygone era. The Towers, all that remains of the Casino, are a testament to the Golden Victorian resort era.