Exeter, Rhode Island
Encyclopedia
Exeter is a town
in Washington County
, Rhode Island
, United States. Exeter extends east from the Connecticut
border to the town of North Kingstown
. It is bordered to the north by West Greenwich
and East Greenwich
, and to the south by Hopkinton
, Richmond
and South Kingstown
. Exeter's postal code
is 02822. The population was 6,425 at the 2010 census
.
Exeter was named for the Earl of Exeter
.
, the town has a total area of 58.4 square miles (151.3 km²), of which, 57.7 square miles (149.4 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (1.15%) is water.
Exeter shares a public school system with its neighbor to the north, West Greenwich.
of 2000, there were 6,045 people, 2,085 households, and 1,592 families residing in the town. The population density
was 104.7 people per square mile (40.4/km²). There were 2,196 housing units at an average density of 38.0 per square mile (14.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.36% White, 0.66% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races
, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.
There were 2,085 households out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples
living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 16.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $64,452, and the median income for a family was $74,157. Males had a median income of $47,083 versus $36,928 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $25,530. About 4.5% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
in Devon
, England. Numerous other places
have also been given the name Exeter. Exeter is noted by folklorists as the site of one of the best documented examples of vampire
exhumation: the Mercy Brown Vampire Incident
of 1892.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Washington County
Washington County, Rhode Island
Washington County, commonly known colloquially as South County, is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Washington County borders Kent County to the north, New London County in Connecticut to the west, Suffolk County in New York to the southwest, the Atlantic...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, United States. Exeter extends east from the Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
border to the town of North Kingstown
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
North Kingstown is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 26,486 at the 2010 census. The famous American portraitist Gilbert Stuart was born in the village of Saunderstown, located in the southern region of North Kingstown....
. It is bordered to the north by West Greenwich
West Greenwich, Rhode Island
West Greenwich is a town in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 6,135 at the 2010 census. West Greenwich was named for Greenwich, Kent, England...
and East Greenwich
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
East Greenwich is a town in and the county seat of Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 13,146 at the 2010 census. East Greenwich is the wealthiest municipality within the state of Rhode Island....
, and to the south by Hopkinton
Hopkinton, Rhode Island
Hopkinton is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 8,188 at the 2010 census.The villages of Ashaway and Hope Valley are located in Hopkinton.-Geography:Hopkinton is found at 41.461 N latitude and 71.778 W longitude...
, Richmond
Richmond, Rhode Island
Richmond is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 7,708 at the 2010 census. The villages of Alton, Arcadia, Carolina, Hope Valley, Kenyon, Shannock, Usquepaug, Woodville, and Wyoming are located in Richmond.-History:The town of Richmond was originally part...
and South Kingstown
South Kingstown, Rhode Island
South Kingstown is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 30,639 at the 2010 census.South Kingstown includes the villages of Kingston, West Kingston, Wakefield, Peace Dale, Snug Harbor, Tuckertown, East Matunuck, Matunuck, Green Hill, and Perryville. Peace...
. Exeter's postal code
Postal code
A postal code is a series of letters and/or digits appended to a postal address for the purpose of sorting mail. Once postal codes were introduced, other applications became possible.In February 2005, 117 of the 190 member countries of the Universal Postal Union had postal code systems...
is 02822. The population was 6,425 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
.
Exeter was named for the Earl of Exeter
Marquess of Exeter
Marquess of Exeter is a title that has been created twice, once in the Peerage of England and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The first creation came in the Peerage of England in 1525 for Henry Courtenay, 2nd Earl of Devon...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 58.4 square miles (151.3 km²), of which, 57.7 square miles (149.4 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (1.15%) is water.
Exeter shares a public school system with its neighbor to the north, West Greenwich.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,045 people, 2,085 households, and 1,592 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 104.7 people per square mile (40.4/km²). There were 2,196 housing units at an average density of 38.0 per square mile (14.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.36% White, 0.66% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.
There were 2,085 households out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 16.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $64,452, and the median income for a family was $74,157. Males had a median income of $47,083 versus $36,928 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $25,530. About 4.5% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
History
The town of Exeter was formed in 1742 from the western part of North Kingstown. The name Exeter derives from the county town and cathedral city of ExeterExeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England. Numerous other places
Exeter (disambiguation)
-Place names:Australia*Exeter, New South Wales*Exeter, South Australia*Exeter, TasmaniaCanada*Exeter, OntarioUnited Kingdom*Exeter, Devon—the original location**Exeter **The University of ExeterUnited States of America...
have also been given the name Exeter. Exeter is noted by folklorists as the site of one of the best documented examples of vampire
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
exhumation: the Mercy Brown Vampire Incident
Mercy Brown vampire incident
The Mercy Brown Vampire Incident, which occurred in 1892, is one of the best documented cases of the exhumation of a corpse in order to perform rituals to banish an undead manifestation....
of 1892.
Attractions and National Historic Places in Exeter
- Yawgoo ValleyYawgoo ValleyYawgoo Valley is the only skiing resort in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It is located on a hill in Exeter, Rhode Island, south of Providence....
is the only ski resort in Rhode Island. - Austin Farm Road Agricultural AreaAustin Farm Road Agricultural AreaAustin Farm Road Agricultural Area is a historic area in Exeter, Rhode Island.The area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977....
- Baptist Church in ExeterBaptist Church in ExeterThe Baptist Church in Exeter, also known as Chestnut Hill Baptist Church, is an historic building located at 467 Ten Rod Road in Exeter, Rhode Island....
- Fisherville Historic and Archeological DistrictFisherville Historic and Archeological DistrictFisherville Historic and Archeological District is a historic site in Exeter, Rhode Island.The site features Greek Revival architecture and was added to the National Register of Historic Places rin 1980.-References:...
- Hallville Historic and Archeological DistrictHallville Historic and Archeological DistrictHallville Historic and Archaeological District is a historic district in Exeter, Rhode Island.The historic district contains the remains of 19th-century textile mills and associated structures. The only standing structure in the district is a late 18th-century house at 239 Hallville Rd. The home is...
- Lawton's MillLawton's MillLawton's Mill is a historic mill located on Ten Rod Road in Exeter, Rhode Island. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 27, 1980....
- Simon Lillibridge FarmSimon Lillibridge FarmThe Simon Lillibridge Farm is an historic site at Summit Road in Exeter, Rhode Island.The site was added to the National Historic Register in 1978....
- Parris Brook Historic and Archeological DistrictParris Brook Historic and Archeological DistrictParris Brook Historic and Archeological District is a historic district in Exeter, Rhode Island.The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.-References:...
- Queen's FortQueen's FortQueen's Fort is an historic site in Exeter, Rhode Island.The colonial fort was added to the National Historic Register in 1980.-References:...
- Sodom Mill Historic and Archeological DistrictSodom Mill Historic and Archeological DistrictSodom Mill Historic and Archeological District is a historic district in Exeter, Rhode Island.The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.-References:...