Is Burrillville Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Tucked away in the northwest corner of Rhode Island, a winding drive over a canopy of trees announces your arrival in the historic town of Burrillville.

For a charming escape just an hour from Providence, Burrillville invites visitors to slow down and experience life in 19th-century New England.

Plus, the town includes nearly a dozen villages, offering more places to explore than just defined city blocks.

Those villages are:

• Harrisville
• Pascoag
• Oakland
• Mapleville
• Glendale
• Mohegan
• Wallum Lake
• Bridgeton
• Nasonville

Burrillville also shares a state border with Connecticut to the west and Massachusetts to the north.

Established in the mid-1600s, Burrillville grew over centuries from a small farming settlement to an engine of Rhode Island’s Industrial Revolution.

Time seems to slow down here, with an array of historical buildings, lakes, meandering trails, and the Clear River providing wonderful spaces to explore at your own pace.

Burrillville is ideal for campers, as plenty of campgrounds dot the landscape, but you’ll have a hard time finding hotels within the town limits.

The good news is that plenty of hotels and inns are within a 20–30 minute drive across three states.

And if all that doesn’t conjure up something to consider when visiting Rhode Island, how about this – the home that inspired The Conjuring and seven other follow-up movies is located right off Round Top Road.

Warnings & Dangers in Burrillville

OVERALL RISK: LOW

The risk is low in Burrillville with low crime rates and plenty of safe places for families, retirees, couples, and solo travelers.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

The public transportation in Burrillville is only for residents. You'll be able to call taxis or rideshares, but having a car is a more affordable and efficient option.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Just one pickpocket has been reported in the past five years. It's worth noting that the majority of crimes here fall into the "Other" category, which can include items stolen from campsites, parks, or trails.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Burrillville faces winter snowstorms, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and potential flooding from those storms. Winter storms bring the most public costs, while hurricanes and floods pose the biggest threats to property damage. The risk is low overall, but bump that to medium if a storm is approaching.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

At most, two robberies are reported each year and no incidents were reported in 2023. The risk is low here, but not all of Rhode Island carries that same low risk.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is another low risk due to the rural landscape in Burrillville. Check with the Homeland Security Department for the latest Terrorism Advisory Bulletin to get an overall view of the risks before your trip.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Most scams here target residents through run-of-the-mill scams like someone pretending to be the power company and threatening to shut off power if you don't pay. The risk is low, but check social media sites for the town and law enforcement just to be sure there aren't new scams happening.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

The risk is low for women as it is for everyone else. The only safety education you'll need is river, lake, and winter safety if you aren't used to doing those activities.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Most of the water provided to the towns and villages comes from well water. A consumer confidence report on water quality is released annually for some locations. Others are expected to self-test their well water. Overall, the risk is low, but you might want to use a filter or drink bottled water if you're sensitive to the different tastes of tap water.

Safest Places to Visit in Burrillville

VisitBurrillville.org is the tourism website for the town.

It’s not very fancy, but it does have all the information you need to find places to visit.

Follow them on Facebook @VisitBurrillville for local events happening closer to your visit.

Be sure to check the self-guided itineraries section of the Burrillville website.

You can choose from activities like antiquing, birding, geocaching, and fishing.

Burrillville is also considered part of the Blackstone Valley and the Providence metro area, so you can use the main tourism websites for each of those to plan your Rhode Island itinerary.

Since we’re covering many of the cities in Rhode Island on this site, I’m going to stick to hyper-local things to do and places to visit in Burrillville and the nine villages.

The Burrillville Historical Preservation Society is housed in an 1897 Victorian schoolhouse.

Stop by the Bridgeton Schoolhouse to tour the building and get guidance on the best historical spots to visit.

Cemetery tours are also offered throughout the year.

Farms across Rhode Island make great adventures, and Burrillville has a trio to explore.

Mapleville Farm produces baked goods, eggs, and produce.

Hickory Hill Farm specializes in jams, jellies, pies, and cookies.

Round Top Orchard is a u-pick-em farm which is a great choice in fall to get some fresh apples.

Most farms will also visit the Burrillville Farmer’s Market, which runs Saturday mornings from May through October.

The region also has several lakes and recreation areas to consider visiting, most open in the winter for recreation, but also including some with beaches for the summer and hiking trails.

• Spring Lake: Popular spot for swimming, boating, fishing, and picnicking. Beach with lifeguards, concession stands, and arcade games.
• Wallum Lake: Offers fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and a boat launch. Great for a peaceful paddle or enjoying the scenery. Popular winter ice fishing spot.
• Branch River Park: Multi-use park with ball fields, a track, playground, tennis courts, and walking trails.
• Nipmuck Trail: Scenic 21-mile trail meandering through forests, wetlands, and fields. Perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
• Remington Bike Path & Park: Paved path for walking, biking, and rollerblading, pickleball courts, street hockey rink, and fishing area.

A unique hike requires a 10-mile drive to Connecticut where you’ll park in Thompson, then take two miles of a moderate trail to the tri-state marker for Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. If you’re interested, look for the “Air Line Trail.”

If you want to visit The Conjuring house, you’ll need to plan ahead.

The property is open for tours, but advance reservations are required.

Find more information at the Conjuring House website.

Places to Avoid in Burrillville

There aren’t any dangerous parts of the town or villages to avoid.

Crime rates are low across the board.

As noted above, you definitely need to make an appointment to see the Conjuring house, but it is easy to drive by on the road if you just want a look.

Keep in mind that many of the roads here are narrow and winding, with trees lining the way.

This isn’t a place you want to be in a big snowstorm or ice storm.

Also, for summer thunderstorms, avoid being near the water or outside if a storm is approaching.

If thunder is loud enough to be heard, the storm is close enough to cause you or objects around you to be hit by lightning.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Burrillville

So... How Safe Is Burrillville Really?

Burrillville is one of the safest communities in New England, but it’s also a rural and spread-out area, so it’s not that surprising.

Violent crime rates are 42% lower than the state average and 75% lower than the national average.

Over the past five years, just 9% of violent crimes were against strangers and no reports of random acts of violence were reported in 2023.

More than 70% of violent crimes happened in private homes.

Even theft is 85% lower than the national average.

As noted above, most thefts fall into the “Other” category, which can be anything from something stolen out of a yard, or a mobile device taken from the beach.

Even car break-ins were low in 2023, which is a good reminder to keep your car doors locked and personal items out of plain sight.

This is especially important at a trailhead or beach.

Many of the other safety risks largely depend on your behavior.

There’s a reservoir in the area where at least two teenagers have died after jumping off a railroad trestle.

Other reports of drownings in lakes showcase the risk that comes even in the safest of communities.

Provided you use common sense, pay attention to your surroundings, and follow safety guidance, you’re going to have a great time in Burrillville.

How Does Burrillville Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need a visa or visa waiver to get into the United States. Start that process on the U.S. State Department website. Not everyone is eligible for a visa waiver. Be sure your passport isn't within six months of expiring.

Currency

You can only use the U.S. Dollar here and the Providence airport does offer foreign currency exchange. Your bank might charge a foreign transaction fee if you use credit cards, so look into that before you get here, so there are no surprises on your bill when you return home.

Weather

With four distinct seasons, packing for a trip to Burrillville is rather easy. Fall and spring can fluctuate in temperatures, so just be sure to bring some extra layers to adapt. You'll want hiking boots and comfortable clothing, especially in the humid summers.

Airports

You'll be less than an hour from Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Providence. If you're flying out of Boston Logan International Airport, plan for at least two hours on the road with extra time added for traffic.

Travel Insurance

New England can face cancelations and delays across the board when hurricanes or winter storms are brewing, so protect your travel investment with insurance. If you don't have health coverage in the U.S., consider a supplemental plan for emergencies.

Burrillville Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Rhode Island - Safety by City