Textile manufacturing was historically a major and significant industry in the Northeast United States.

During the Industrial Revolution, textile production played a major role in the Northeast's economy, especially in states like Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. The area developed into a center for the manufacture of textiles made of cotton and wool, which were used to make blankets, clothes, and other items. Rapid industrial growth was fueled in part by water-powered mills in places like Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and Lowell, Massachusetts. This industry contributed to the growth of the American labor force by drawing a sizable workforce, which included many women and immigrants. The Northeast's economic history was significantly shaped by the textile industry, even if it has since relocated.