Rhode Island Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Smithfield, Rhode Island

Population: 19,163

Located in Providence County

Smithfield is a growing, urban community in the center of the industrial triangle formed by the cities of Providence, Woonsocket and Worcester, Mass. Agriculture still plays an important role in the town due to its numerous apple orchards. Smithfield is known throughout Rhode Island as "Apple Country."

Smithfield's earliest industry, textiles, was developed along the numerous streams in the town which provided abundant water power. Agriculture was also a very important part of Smithfield's early economy.

Smithfield has a solid industrial base, as several companies have built modern plants in the town in recent years. Bryant College, a nationally recognized college of business, is in Smithfield on the beautiful Tupper Campus. The College's Koffler Rotunda is an architectural marvel. The magnificently modern and functional "unstructured" building houses most administrative and academic functions under one roof. The rotunda is two-story and domed with Plexiglas.

Headquarters of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island are located at the Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 77 acres of open fields, forest, pond and hiking trails. Another trail is under way at Connor's Farm, a 76-acre area given to the town. The Mowry Conservation Area is another point of interest.