Is Little Compton Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Among the affluent towns of the Classic Coast of Rhode Island, Little Compton boasts more history than almost any other American city can claim.

Little Compton sits perched where the Sakonnet River meets breezy coastal headlands jutting into the Atlantic.

Scenic farmscapes, unhurried small-town charm, and miles of shoreline cradling tranquil beaches impart a timeless pastoral essence uncommon even for New England.

It was officially incorporated in 1682 when English settlers from the Plymouth Colony established a community there.

Aside from modern advances, not much has changed in this seaside town.

These days, summer swells bring beachgoing throngs descending upon Little Compton’s acclaimed sandy stretches.

But come September, the 21 square-mile community returns to small-town solitude and windswept vistas.

Stately gray shingled 18th century homes built by merchant ship captains now harbor part-time residents.

With an average home price of around one million dollars, the people who provide essential and tourist services are being priced out of their community.

Just how much that impacts tourism in Little Compton remains to be seen.

With that grandeur comes some lost opportunities for tourists.

For example, five beaches in the community sounds great until you realize just two are open to the public.

Sure, Little Compton is safe, but is it fun – especially when Newport and South County are just a few miles away?

Warnings & Dangers in Little Compton

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here with hardly any crime to speak of, much less a targeted plot against tourists. It's a laid-back rural town, and it will stay that way thanks to preserved land.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

RIPTA is the public transportation for all of Rhode Island, and Little Compton is on the route. Go Orange Cab Company is the only cab service that comes to this area. Lyft, Uber, and luxury rideshare brands are available. Rental cars can be picked up at the airport.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

The entire city sees an average of 14 thefts a year going back a decade. That's 14 total - not just pickpockets. In fact, no pick-pockets or purse snatchings have been reported in that time frame. The risk is low.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

You need to treat this as a medium risk due to hurricanes and nor'easters that 'can cause widespread damage. Those come with plenty of advance notice. However, storms offshore can also impact beach safety. You need to be aware of tides, weather forecasts, and storm updates.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

No robberies have been reported in the past decade, making this a very low risk. If you're renting a home, it's good to know that no more than five burglaries have been reported in a year going back to 2015.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is another low risk. Even with the affluent people here and the large homes, it's still a rural area with no appeal for those wishing to cause widespread damage.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The biggest issue here has been rental scams, where someone posts a fake listing for a rock-bottom price with the caveat that the renter pays in advance. Once the guest arrives, they find out the home isn't available, and the scammer has disappeared with their money. Use BBB-approved rental companies and never wire money to secure a rental. Otherwise, the risk is low.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another low risk, even if you're traveling solo or with kids. The crime rates are among the lowest you'll find anywhere in America.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Wells provides the water here, and there's a growing concern about whether there will be enough water to fill the groundwater wells. For now, the water is safe to use, and you can read recent reports and plans to address groundwater issues on the town's website.

Safest Places to Visit in Little Compton

You’ll use the DiscoverNewport.org website to find out information about Little Compton and the surrounding cities on different islands and peninsulas.

Their version of the visitor’s guide is called the destination guide, and you can opt to download it without giving your personal information. ‘

The site also includes the best locations for sunrise and sunset, so I won’t spend time on those in the spirit of efficiency.

Most of the things to do in Little Compton are available in the summer, but I’ll note if each one is available in the winter.

“Summer” here means early July through mid-October, usually around Columbus Day.

You can start with the summer hours at the Little Compton Historical Society.

With the rich farming history here, the tour covers the different eras of Little Compton with a special “Everyone Was A Farmer” exhibit.

Each year brings a new theme to the historical society events.

While it’s open for guided tours in the summer, you can schedule an off-season private tour depending on tour guide availability.

South Shore Beach is the town’s public beach.

It’s open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with beach passes available for the day, weekend, week, or season.

The beach closes from 11 pm through 5 am.

You’ll need to park at that beach to get access to the Goosewing Beach Preserve, which falls under the care of the Nature Conservancy.

In the center of Little Compton is the Town Common, a rare centrally located gathering place for events and activities.

While it might appear similar to a town square, the historical distinction and centrally located section that has been there since the beginning of the community makes it stand out.

The cemetery in the middle of the town common dates back to the original town settlement.

Some farms are open seasonally, depending on the crop or product at that time of year.

You can consider Christmas tree farms, orchards, and fresh produce.

Young Family Farm is one of the summer favorites.

In the fall, the historical society hosts a farm tour.

Old Stone Orchard is a fall favorite, with pumpkins, apples, and sunflowers.

It is open from September through mid-November.

Speaking of stones, the impressive stone walls of this community were used to divide the lands between farmers since these are compact but fertile lands.

Just driving around the town common and nearby neighborhoods offers a glimpse into the past.

Places to Avoid in Little Compton

You might have noticed there isn’t a lot under the Places to Visit section.

Little Compton is a sleepy bedroom community that oozes charm.

It’s better to drive around, stop for breakfast at The Barn or enjoy a day at the beach and then move on to one of the other nearby communities.

The two beach areas we mentioned above are the only public beach access areas in Little Compton.

The other beaches are just for residents and their guests.

Before booking a home rental here, ask if you will have access to the private beaches.

Avoid trying to sneak into or blend in with the crowd at the private beaches.

Many people here go back generations, and they’ll spot a tourist a mile away.

You can visit nearby Tiverton and explore more public beaches there.

Fogland Beach is a particular favorite and a great spot to put a kayak in the water.

Finally, don’t mistake Little Compton for Compton, California, which is historically known as one of the most dangerous cities in America.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Little Compton

So... How Safe Is Little Compton Really?

Little Compton had 54 crimes in 2023 across the board.

That’s every potential crime category.

The highest number was in Destruction of Property, with nine incidents.

In any given year, looking back a decade, violent crimes can be counted on one or two hands.

2023 had two violent crimes.

Even thefts were unthinkable low, with just eight.

This really isn’t a community where crime is a concern, but it’s also a community where residents are actively engaged in preserving the small-town charm.

No loud parties or boisterous activity will be allowed.

It’s up to you to learn the weather and ocean risks and know the potential for a storm approaching.

Hurricane Season runs from June through November, with a peak in August through October.

If a tropical storm watch or hurricane watch is issued, leave.

How Does Little Compton Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

A visa or visa waiver is required for every international visitor. Start by checking the U.S. State Department's website to see if you qualify for the waiver. A passport that isn't within six months of expiring is also required.

Currency

You can only use the U.S. Dollar here. Exchange currency at your home bank or the airport, but you don't really need to carry cash here. Credit cards are the payment method of choice.

Weather

Be casual, but pack for the weather forecast. Little Compton gets four robust seasons. Even in the hottest part of summer, a sweater or jacket could be needed on cool evenings.

Airports

Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is about 50 minutes away by car. That's the closest airport, but if you're flying out of Boston, plan for about 75 minutes on the road.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a smart choice when visiting a place impacted by weather so often. You also want to have some kind of health insurance if your personal coverage doesn't extend to the U.S.

Little Compton Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Rhode Island - Safety by City