Town of East Greenwich
Updated Demographic and Economic Characteristics
* Annual information for 2000-2006 is available by downloading this Excel file
Government
Town Hall
125 Main St.
East Greenwich, RI 02818
Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Established: 1677
- Form of government: Town Manager and a five-member Town Council elected at large.
- Council meetings: The second Tuesday and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Financial town meeting held the second Wednesday in June at 6:30.
- 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.
- Town of East Greenwich
- East Greenwich school department
- East Greenwich fire district
- East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce
- East Greenwich municipal departments and officials
- Find East Greenwich's state senator and representative
- The East Greenwich Pendulum (local newspaper)
- Area points of interest and attractions: please visit the state tourism website
History
East Greenwich is geographically located in the center of the state of Rhode Island, 15 miles south of the state capital in Providence. East Greenwich is the eighth oldest community in the state. The town faces picturesque Narragansett Bay, and has the beauty and appeal of a seaport setting. Green hills, blue water and quaint historic homes combine to produce a uniquely charming atmosphere. East Greenwich was owned and inhabited by the Narragansett Indian Tribe. By the king's commission in 1665, East Greenwich was acquired with the rest of the Narragansett Country as part of the colony of Rhode Island. East Greenwich was incorporated as a town in 1677, when the Rhode Island General Assembly granted land to 48 men who served during the Wampauag Indian War, also known as the King Philip's War. The town was named for East Greenwich, in County Kent, England. The name East Greenwich, Rhode Island, was changed to Dedford in 1688. In 1689 however, Dedford became East Greenwich once again. In 1750 East Greenwich became a seat of state government because of its advantageous location. It provided a protected harbor on Narragansett Bay and had become an important port specializing in ship building and fishing. The town became the county seat of Kent County and the general assembly met in the town on a rotating basis from 1750 to 1854. Today, East Greenwich is an economically thriving community ideally located, compactly planned, culturally diverse, with distinctive urban, suburban and rural characteristics and a quintessential main street. East Greenwich claims a distinction and individuality all its own.
Irena Nedeljkovic-Cunningham