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Eastern Johnston begins as an extension of urban Providence which it abuts and then turns into suburban a series of suburban developments. Johnson is the commercial focus of northwestern R. I., especially along its main east-west corridor along Rte 6. Johnston is also bisected north-south by I-295, thereby, giving residents easy accessibility.
Originally a part of Providence, Johnston became a separate town and was incorporated in 1759. It was named in honor of Augustus Lucas Johnston, of Newport, Attorney General of Rhode Island from 1758 to 1766. He owned much of the land in this area The first settler was Thomas Clemence who built a house c.1680, which still stands at 38 George Waterman Road, and is known as the Clemence-Irons House.
A soapstone quarry, used earlier by the Indians, and a granite quarry, were worked by the early settlers. A cotton mill was built in 1835, and a dyestuffs factory was established about 1870. A major industrial development was the founding of a hosiery company in 1884 which employed over 100 people. However, throughout its early history, until the middle of the 19th century, Johnston was primarily a farming community. Now the importance of farming has been replaced by the manufacture of jewelry and silverware, fabricated metals, and retail trade establishments.
Today, while a few colonial farm houses dot the landscape, Johnston has mainly given way to suburban development.
CLEMENCE-IRONS HOUSE. 38 George Waterman Road. Stone-end, one-story dwelling with loft characterizes Rhode Island's 17th century regional house. OPEN: By appt. (617) 227-3956.
DAME FARM. (1789) 29 Brown Ave., off U.S. Route 6. A working farm open to the public. Farm equipment used from 1870 to 1915 and farming exhibit in restored ice house. Marked nature/hiking trail. OPEN: Year-round: daylight hours. 277-2632.
Population: The population count for the Town of Johnston as of April 1, 2000, was 28,195. This represented a 6.2% change (1,653) from the 1990 population of 26,542.
Population Density: Johnston contains 61.295 square kilometers of land area (23.666 Sq. Miles) and 1.829 square kilometers of water area (0.706 Sq. Miles). Total area is 63.124 square kilometers or 24.372 square miles.
The 2000 population density of Johnston is 1,189.6 persons per square mile of land area.
Age Distribution: In 2000, 22,289 persons residing in Johnston were 18 years of age or older.
| Population: | 1990 | 2000 | Change |
| Total | 26,542 | 28,195 | 1,653 |
More Census 2000 data on Johnston and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.
Town Hall
1385 Hartford Avenue
Johnston, RI 02919
Hours: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
| Location: | Providence County |
| Form of Government: | Town Mayor and a five member Town council |
| Council Meetings: | The second Monday of each month at 7pm |
| Fiscal year begins: | July 1 |
**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development Corporation
