Barrington, Rhode Island
Barrington is a suburban, residential town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States, approximately 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Providence. It was founded by Congregationalist separatists from Swansea, Massachusetts, and incorporated in 1717.
Barrington, Rhode Island | |
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Town | |
Aerial view of Barrington in 2008 | |
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Coat of arms | |
Location in Bristol County and the state of Rhode Island. | |
Barrington Location in Rhode Island Barrington Barrington (the United States) Barrington Barrington (North America) | |
| Coordinates: 41°44′43″N 71°19′5″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Bristol |
| Settled | 1652 |
| Incorporation (Massachusetts) | November 18, 1717 |
| Annexed to Warren | January 27, 1747 |
| Incorporation (Rhode Island) | June 16, 1770 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager |
| • Town Moderator | Julia P. Califano (D) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 15.4 sq mi (39.9 km2) |
| • Land | 8.4 sq mi (21.8 km2) |
| • Water | 7.0 sq mi (18.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 0 to 50 ft (0 to 15 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 17,153 |
| • Density | 2,038/sq mi (786.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 02806 |
| Area code | 401 |
| FIPS code | 44-05140 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1220084 |
| Website | barrington |
Barrington 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.
Schools were constructed throughout the 1950s to accommodate this population. Three Barrington schools are National Blue Ribbon Schools, and its high school.
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.
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 17,153.