Along the western Rhode Island border, Foster is a true rural community that is maintaining its rural traditions. Woods and farmlands are the key sights along its highways. Foster is a 35 minute commute down route 6 to 195 into Providence.

Foster, a residential and agricultural town, was set off from the town of Scituate, and incorporated on August 24, 1781. Foster's historic man-made environment dates primarily from the mid-18TH to the mid-19TH Century; and within that time frame, many houses and farms date to the years between 1760 and 1820.

The highest point in Rhode Island, Jerimoth Hill, 812 feet above sea level, is located in northwest Foster. At key focal points villages grew up. Hopkins Mills was the first to develop in the early 1700's. Foster Center, the present seat of government, developed later in the 18TH Century, and it was here that the first Foster town meeting was held in 1781. The village of Clayville took form in the early 19TH Century, as did Moosup Valley, North Foster, and Mount Vernon.

Foster is rich in historic resources - houses, farmsteads, stone walls, roads, and mill ruins - and in the natural beauty of its setting - brooks, waterfalls, woods, swamps, and the plant and animal life they shelter.

Foster remains sparsely settled with almost four-fifths of the town's 52.2 square miles being hilly, and 88.2 percent of the land being forested.

SWAMP MEADOW COVERED BRIDGE. One quarter mile west of Rte. 94, where Central Pike crosses Hemlock Brook. Rhode Island's only covered bridge on a public road, this forty foot long authentic replica of an early 19th century wooden bridge was completed in 1994 by an all volunteer crew and built with donated lumber cut from local forests.

TOWN HOUSE. (1796) 180 Howard Hill Road, off Rte. 94. Nation's oldest town house still used for town meetings. OPEN: Tours by apt. 392-9200.

Population: The population count for the Town of Foster as of April 1, 2000, was 4,274. This represented a -1.0% change (-42) from the 1990 population of 4,316. 

Population Density: Foster contains 132.498 square kilometers of land area (51.158 Sq. Miles) and 1.855 square kilometers of water area (0.716 Sq. Miles). Total area is 134.353 square kilometers or 51.874 square miles.

The 2000 population density of Foster is 83.5 persons per square mile of land area.

Age Distribution: In 2000, 3,169 persons residing in Foster were 18 years of age or older.

More Census 2000 data on Foster and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.

Town Hall
181 Howard Hill
Foster, RI 02825
FAX: 397-9736
Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation

Web Links

Town of Foster