Barrington, Rhode Island

"Barrington, Massachusetts" redirects here. Not to be confused with Great Barrington, Massachusetts. For other areas of the same name, see Barrington.

Barrington, Rhode Island
Town
Aerial view of Barrington in 2008
Aerial view of Barrington in 2008
Coat of arms of Barrington, Rhode Island
Coat of arms
Location in Bristol County and the state of Rhode Island.
Location in Bristol County and the state of Rhode Island.
Barrington is located in Rhode Island
Barrington
Barrington
Location in Rhode Island
Barrington is located in the United States
Barrington
Barrington
Barrington (the United States)
Barrington is located in North America
Barrington
Barrington
Barrington (North America)
Coordinates: 41°44′43″N 71°19′5″W / 41.74528°N 71.31806°W / 41.74528; -71.31806
CountryUnited States
StateRhode Island
CountyBristol
Settled1652
Incorporation (Massachusetts)November 18, 1717
Annexed to WarrenJanuary 27, 1747
Incorporation (Rhode Island)June 16, 1770
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager
 • Town ModeratorJulia P. Califano (D)
Area
 • Total
15.4 sq mi (39.9 km2)
 • Land8.4 sq mi (21.8 km2)
 • Water7.0 sq mi (18.1 km2)
Elevation
[1]
0 to 50 ft (0 to 15 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
17,153
 • Density2,038/sq mi (786.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
02806
Area code401
FIPS code44-05140[2]
GNIS feature ID1220084[3]
Websitebarrington.ri.gov

Barrington is a suburban, residential town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States, approximately 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Providence. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 17,153.

Barrington was founded by Congregationalist separatists from Swansea, Massachusetts, and incorporated in 1717.[4] It was ceded from Massachusetts to Rhode Island and merged into Warren in 1747, and in 1770 made into a separate town by the Rhode Island legislature. It was a sparsely developed, agricultural community until the arrival of brickmaking companies in the 1850s, which employed large numbers of French-Canadians and Italians. The construction of a railroad to Providence in 1855 further contributed to suburban development, attracting residents of neighboring urban areas and contributing to the development of manufacturing industries. The post–World War II baby boom increased suburbanization trends, resulting in a large population increase.

Historical sites provide examples of architectural and suburban development during various stages of the town's history, including the Allen-West House, Barrington Civic Center Historic District, and O'Bannon Mill. Nine sites in Barrington are listed under the National Register of Historic Places.

  1. ^ Maximum elevation is at Prince's Hill.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference mason was invoked but never defined (see the help page).