Moving to Greenville, Rhode Island

by btobers · Published June 28, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Greenville, Rhode Island is located in the northeast corner of the state, just 15 miles from Providence. The city is situated on a hilly terrain and surrounded by rolling hills. The climate in Greenville is generally mild, with hot summers and cool winters. The average temperature during the summer months ranges from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and during the winter months it ranges from 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Historically, Greenville was first settled by English colonists in 1637 as a small farming community. In 1731, it was incorporated as a town and quickly developed into an important trading center for local farmers. In 1824, the city was officially chartered as a city and grew rapidly throughout the 19th century due to its close proximity to Providence and other major cities in Rhode Island.

Politically, Greenville is part of Providence County and is represented in the Rhode Island House of Representatives by three representatives. The city also has a mayor-council government system which consists of nine members elected by popular vote every two years.

Economically, Greenville has seen steady growth over the past few decades due to its proximity to Providence and other cities in Rhode Island. The city’s economy is largely driven by its service sector which includes healthcare, education, retail, finance and tourism industries among others. Additionally, there are several major corporations headquartered or with offices located in Greenville such as Citizens Bank Corporation and FM Global Insurance Company which provide jobs for many residents of the city.

Greenville is home to several schools including public elementary schools run by the Smithfield School District as well as private institutions such as St Mary Academy Bay View High School and La Salle Academy High School which offer post-secondary education opportunities for students who live in or near Greenville.

Finally, some notable landmarks located within Greenville include Roger Williams Park Zoo which houses over 160 species of animals from around the world; India Point Park which offers stunning views of Narragansett Bay; Waterplace Park which features an amphitheater where concerts are held throughout summer months; Prospect Terrace Park offering panoramic views of downtown Providence; Benefit Street where colonial era buildings can be found; John Brown House Museum showcasing colonial artifacts; First Baptist Church built in 1775; Governor Stephen Hopkins House built in 1707; Lippitt Memorial Park featuring walking trails; Slater Mill Historic Site which showcases textile manufacturing processes used during colonial times; Pawtucket Falls offering spectacular views of Woonasquatucket River Valley among many others attractions that make this area an ideal place to visit or live!

Population: 8,626
Males: 3,993 (46.3%), Females: 4,633 (53.7%)

Providence County

Demographics

Median resident age: 43.6 years
Median household income: $56,036
Median house value: $144,400

Population by Race

Races in Greenville:

White Non-Hispanic (98.1%)
Hispanic (0.6%)

Ancestries: Italian (32.6%), Irish (22.8%), English (12.7%), French (11.8%), French Canadian (8.7%), German (6.2%).

Elevation: 322 feet

Land area: 5.2 square miles

Population by Education

Greenville, Rhode Island is a small town located in the northwest corner of the state, in Providence County. The town has a population of just over 11,000 people according to the 2019 US Census. Most of the population is white (80%) with other ethnicities making up the remaining 20%. The median household income is $81,000, which is slightly higher than the national average. Education levels are also high in Greenville; more than half of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

The town itself has a quaint atmosphere with many local businesses and restaurants as well as plenty of outdoor recreational activities. The downtown area includes historic buildings dating back to colonial times and several green spaces for residents to enjoy. There are also several parks around Greenville, including Roger Williams Park and Lincoln Woods State Park which offer something for everyone from hiking trails to fishing ponds. In addition to these parks, there are plenty of trails and bike lanes connecting neighborhoods throughout the town. Greenville also has its own public library that hosts various events throughout the year such as book clubs and story times for children.

For population 25 years and over in Greenville

High school or higher: 86.8%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 29.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 11.9%
Unemployed: 4.2%
Mean travel time to work: 24.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Greenville CDP

Never married: 20.5%
Now married: 60.1%
Separated: 0.9%
Widowed: 11.1%
Divorced: 7.4%

3.9% Foreign born (2.1% Europe, 0.6% Asia, 0.5% Latin America, 0.5% North America).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Greenville:

REHAB HOSP OF R I (about 8 miles; NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI)
ELEANOR SLATER HOSPITAL (about 9 miles; CRANSTON, RI)
ROGER WILLIAMS HOSPITAL (about 9 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Greenville:

THEODORE FRANCIS GREEN STATE (about 15 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Abbreviation: PVD)
WORCESTER REGIONAL (about 35 miles; WORCESTER, MA; Abbreviation: ORH)
LAURENCE G HANSCOM FLD (about 45 miles; BEDFORD, MA; Abbreviation: BED)

Other public-use airports nearest to Greenville:

NORTH CENTRAL STATE (about 6 miles; PAWTUCKET, RI; Abbreviation: SFZ)
DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE HELISTOP (about 12 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Abbreviation: RI9)
HOPEDALE INDUSTRIAL PARK (about 16 miles; HOPEDALE, MA; Abbreviation: 1B6)

Amtrak station near Greenville:

11 miles: PROVIDENCE (100 GASPEE ST.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, snack bar, ATM, paid short-term parking, paid long-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Greenville:

BRYANT COLLEGE (about 3 miles; SMITHFIELD, RI; Full-time enrollment: 2,926)
PROVIDENCE COLLEGE (about 9 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Full-time enrollment: 4,456)
RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE (about 9 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Full-time enrollment: 6,208)
JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY (about 11 miles; Providence, RI; Full-time enrollment: 8,218)
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN (about 11 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Full-time enrollment: 2,086)
BROWN UNIVERSITY (about 12 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Full-time enrollment: 7,460)
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND (about 14 miles; WARWICK, RI; Full-time enrollment: 8,650)

Public primary/middle school in Greenville:

WILLIAM WINSOR SCHOOL (Students: 276; Location: 562 PUTNAM AVENUE; Grades: KG – 05)

Private primary/middle school in Greenville:

ST PHILIP SCHOOL (Students: 261; Location: 618 PUTNAM AVENUE; Grades: KG – 8)

Libraries

Library in Greenville:

GREENVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $669,916; Location: 573 PUTNAM PIKE; 64,511 books; 2,815 audio materials; 2,662 video materials; 168 serial subscriptions)