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This southwestern Rhode Island community sits along the Connecticut border and had had a bucolic history which is now being challenged by new developments. Hopkinton is a community of forests, state parks and management areas. Hopkinton's growth should continue as the town is bisected by I-95 giving it easy access to the growing southeastern Connecticut market as well as an easy 40-minute drive into Providence.
Hopkinton was established in 1669, as a part of the Town of Westerly, as were Richmond and Charlestown. However, after the people petitioned the General Assembly to divide it, the town of Hopkinton was incorporated on March 14, 1757. Hopkinton was named in honor of Stephen Hopkins, who was then Governor of Rhode Island, and also a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
In the years prior to its independence, the Hopkinton side of the Pawcatuck River was the religious, business and civic center of Westerly. Even earlier, the entire Misquamicutt Region located in the southwestern part of what was then Narragansett County, was inhabited by Indian Tribes. Today there is evidence of the former presence of Indians thousands of years ago in Hopkinton - the Indian Rock Shelters, Indian Signal Rocks, and numerous other artifacts. At the point where Hopkinton, Richmond, and Westerly crossed paths, stood the first Meeting House in Southern Rhode Island, built by the Seventh Day Baptists in 1680. One member of the church was Samuel Ward, governor of Rhode Island, who later joined in the founding of Brown University.
Similar to other Rhode Island cities and towns the early settlements in Hopkinton were centered around its rivers. On Wood River were Barberville, Hope Valley and Woodville; on Brushy Brook and its tributaries were Rockville, Centerville, Moscow, and Locustville; on the Cononchet River was Ashville; on the Ashawog River were Bethel and Ashaway; and on the Pawcatuck River was Burdickville. Each of these little villages has an interesting history of its own.
For example, one of the early trades in Ashaway was blacksmithing. This village is also known throughout the world because here is located the Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co., a manufacturer of top quality sport fishing lines and products. On January 20, 1939, Ashaway placed the first commercial product made of nylon on the market- the Ashaway Nylon Bait Casting Line.
Today, Hopkinton is still a rural town. Recreation is highlighted in Hopkinton with fresh water fishing facilities, parks and numerous campgrounds. Hopkinton is one of the popular vacation areas of southern Rhode Island and convenient to miles of ocean front beaches. Camp Yawgoo, operated by the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America, and located in Rockville, is one of the largest Boy Scout camps in the United States.
In 1876, and again in 1976, during the Bicentennial Celebration, Hopkinton took great pride in participating in the celebration of America. There was a comprehensive program for Bicentennial activity, and Hopkinton received an American Revolution Bicentennial certificate and flag designating Hopkinton as a bicentennial community.
THE ENCHANTED FOREST. On Route 3, Exit 2, off I-95. Fairyland-theme amusement park, designed especially for children. Carousel, roller coaster, Ferris wheel, storybook exhibits and scrambler. Jump castle, baseball hitting, gift shop, snack bar. Miniature golf, go-carts and petting zoo. Horse drawn hay rides. All-day picnic area. OPEN: Call for daily hours. Open for the holidays with a Festival of Lights Country Christmas first three weekends in Dec, Fri & Sat, 4-9 p.m.; Sun, 2-9 p.m. 539-7711.
Population The population count for the Town of Hopkinton as of April 1, 2000, was 7,836. This represented a 14% change (963) from the 1990 population of 6,873.
Population Density: Hopkinton contains 111.342 square kilometers of land area (42.989 Sq. Miles) and 2.952 square kilometers of water area (1.140 Sq. Miles). Total area is 114.294 square kilometers or 44.129 square miles.
The 2000 population density of Hopkinton is 182.2 persons per square mile of land area.
Age Distribution: In 2000, 5,825 persons residing in Hopkinton were 18 years of age or older.
| Population: | 1990 | 2000 | Change |
| Total | 6,873 | 7,836 | 963 |
More Census 2000 data on Hopkinton and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.
Town Hall
1 Town House Road
Hopkinton, RI 02833
FAX: 377-7788
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
| Location: | Washington County |
| Form of Government: | Five-member Town Council headed by a Council President |
| Council Meetings: | The first and third Mondays of each month at 7:00 pm. Financial Town Meeting held May 1 to May 15 as set by Town Council. |
| Fiscal year begins: | July 1 |
**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development Corporation
