The Town of Barre is a small rural community located 61 miles from Boston, almost exactly in the center of the State, and covers 44.8 square miles. It is bordered by Phillipston on the north, Hubbardston on the northeast, Rutland and Oakham on the southeast, New Braintree on the south, Hardwick on the southwest, and Petersham on the northwest. Barre is 22 miles northwest of Worcester.

The community was named after Isaac Barré, a member of the British Parliament who opposed the taxation of America.

The latitude of Barre is 42.422N. The longitude is -72.105W. Elevation is 784 feet.

The town of Barre did not start out as the "Town of Barre". From the beginning of the earliest kept records Barre was part of Rutland. The town was part of the Naquag grant and was made the "Northwest District of Rutland in 1749. In 1774 the town incorporated and was called "Hutchinson". Two years later a petition for a different name resulted in it being called "Barre", with a population of 734. During the Industrial Revolution, it became known for its production of farming equipment and palm leaf hats. During the Civil War it supplied much of the gunpowder used by the Union Army.

Demograpics

Form of Government: Board of Selectmen & Open Town Meeting

Population: 5,365 as of  5/14/2008

Density: 113 / sq mile

Total Area: 44.61 sq miles

Land Area: 44.33 sq miles