Town of Burrillville
Updated Demographic and Economic Characteristics
* Annual information for 2000-2008 is available by downloading this Excel file
Government
Burrillville Town Hall
105 Harrisville Main St.
Burrillville, RI 02830
Fax: 401-568-0490
Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Established: 1730
- Incorporated: 1806
- Form of government: Seven-member town council/manager
- Council meetings: The second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7 p.m.
- Fiscal year begins: July 1
A summary profile of Census 2000 characteristics is available from the RI Office of Statewide Planning at: http://www.planning.ri.gov/census/citytown.htm
Community Links
* Hyperlinks provided by the Office of Municipal Affairs, Rhode Island Department of Administration
- Burrillville municipal departments and officials
- Find Burrillville's state senator and representative
- Town of Burrillville homepage
- Burrillville school department
- Welcome to the Burrillville police department
- Blackstone Valley Tourism
- Area points of interest and attractions please visit the state tourism website
Local Fire Departments
- Harrisville Hose Company No. 1
- Nasonville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department
- Oakland-Mapleville Fire Department
- Pascoag Hose Company No. 1 and 2
History
The first European settlers arrived in Burrillville in the late 17th century. For many decades after, and throughout the 18th century, farming was the predominant occupation of the inhabitants, who cleared most of the town's forested lands for their fields and pastures. Burrillville's natural features, landscape and waterways have played an important role in the town's development. During the first half of the 19th century, the town's larger waterways — the Chepachet, Clear, Pascoag and Branch River system were harnessed to power the textile mills, which formed the nuclei for more than a dozen hamlets and villages. The textile industry remained active into the 20th century, but gradually the mills ceased operating; many were torn down or destroyed by fire and never rebuilt. Improved transportation facilities, and a changing economy have resulted in most of the townspeople working outside of the town. As a result, it has become a bedroom community. The former mill villages are no longer dependent on the mill fortunes, and most of these settlements survive as lovely and pleasant residential communities.
Irena Nedeljkovic-Cunningham