North Smithfield is located in the northwest portion of the original territory of Smithfield. The town was incorporated in March 1871, and was at first named Slater. Sixteen days later its original name was changed to North Smithfield.

North Smithfield was rural-agrarian in its beginnings. Most of the early settlers lived on farms and their lives were centered around the farm. With the advent of organized industry, North Smithfield like many other Rhode Island communities, had its early industrial growth centered around its water power. Villages developed around the mills, each growing and developing its own unique characteristics.

North Smithfield never had a central meeting place, although the Village of Slatersville was always important, and eventually became the seat of town government.

North Smithfield has changed much from its former agrarian beginnings. The land is still there but the lives of the Town's occupants are radically different from the earlier residents. The farmer and millwright have been replaced with many diverse occupations which are carried on the outside of North Smithfield's boundaries. The forest and farmland has been and is presently being redesigned into residential, industrial, commercial and recreational use. The town has assumed a suburban character but has not lost its early charm, which is so characteristic of North Smithfield.

HISTORIC UNION VILLAGE. On Rte. 146A, Great Road. Originally named Bank Village, site of first bank in northern Rhode Island, in 1805. Numerous Federal-style houses.

SLATERSVILLE VILLAGE GREEN. Off Rte. 146, near MA line. The heart of one of America's oldest mill villages, typical of New England greens and commons dominated by a meeting house and including numerous homes dating from Colonial and early Republic periods.

Population: The population count for the Town of North Smithfield as of April 1, 2000, was 10,618. This represented a 1.2% change (121) from the 1990 population of 10,497. 

Population Density: North Smithfield contains 62.256 square kilometers of land area (24.037 Sq. Miles) and 1.812 square kilometers of water area (0.700 Sq. Miles). Total area is 64.068 square kilometers or 24.737 square miles.

The 2000 population density of North Smithfield is 442.4 persons per square mile of land area.

Age Distribution: In 2000, 8,239 persons residing in North Smithfield were 18 years of age or older.

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

Town Building
Main Street
Slatersville, RI 02876
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
FAX: 766-0016

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

Web Links

Town of North Smithfield North Smithfield Schools Blackstone Valley Tourism Council