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The City of Warwick was founded January 12, 1642, when Samuel Gorton, and a dozen friends purchased more than 100 square miles of land from the Mahament Indians, a local branch of the great Nanhiganset Nation. These new settlers made their home in what today is referred to as Shawomet , or Old Warwick, at the head of the Old Warwick Cove. The City was reduced in land size by the loss of Coventry in 1741, and West Warwick in 1913. This left Warwick half of its original size, or 50 square miles. The settlement took its name "Warwick" in honor of the Earl of Warwick, who was instrumental in gaining an official charter in 1647.
Today, Warwick is the second largest city in Rhode Island. The city is situated at the center of the state's super-highway system. Theodore Francis Green State Airport is located there and is the state's largest commercial air terminal. The state's two largest shopping malls are also located in Warwick.
Warwick offers many educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities. The Knight Campus of Community College of Rhode Island, a state supported facility, is located in the western section of Warwick.
Goddard Memorial State Park, one of the largest parks in Rhode Island is located in the Potowomut section of Warwick. The park offers picnic areas, accented with activities such as golfing and salt water bathing.
Warwick's central location in Rhode Island as well as the easy access for air travel, has made the city a prime area for further industrial, commercial and population growth.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND. 400 East Avenue. New England's largest Community College with campuses in Warwick, Providence and Lincoln and five satellites. Warwick, 825-1000. Lincoln, 333-7000. Providence, 455-6000. Offices are open Mon-Fri, 8-4 p.m. 825-1000
JOHN WATERMAN ARNOLD HOUSE. 25 Roger Williams Circle. This two-story clapboard structure has many characteristics of the late 1700s: beehive oven, fireplace, paneling in the dining room, and paneled doors. A winding front stairway with wall niches was probably an early 19th century addition. Now the home of the Warwick Historical Society. OPEN: Research Library open year round - Wed, 9-1 p.m. Outreach Program tours for school children - Wed, 9-1
T. F. GREEN STATE AIRPORT. 2000 Post Road. Rhode Island's major airport holds the distinction as the first state-owned airport in the United States. OPEN: Administration: 8:30-4 p.m. 737-4000.
WARWICK MUSEUM. (1912) 3259 Post Road. Kentish Artillery Armory, 3259 Post Road. Dedicated to the visual arts and Rhode Island's cultural heritage, the museum offers a variety of programs. Changing exhibitions on lively topics can be seen throughout the year. Studio arts and crafts classes are available for children and adults. OPEN: Tue-Fri, 11-4 p.m. Call for weekend hours. 737-0010.
Population: The population count for the City of Warwick as of April 1, 2000, was 85,808. This represented a 0.4% change (381) from the 1990 population of 85,427.
Population Density: Warwick contains 91.954 square kilometers of land area (35.503 Sq. Miles) and 36.592 square kilometers of water area (14.128 Sq. Miles). Total area is 128.546 square kilometers or 49.632 square miles.
The 2000 population density of Warwick is 2,417.1 persons per square mile of land area.
Age Distribution: In 2000, 67,028 persons residing in Warwick were 18 years of age or older.
| Population: | 1990 | 2000 | Change |
| Total | 85,427 | 85,808 | 381 |
More Census 2000 data on Warwick and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.
City Hall
3275 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30
pm
FAX: 738-6639
| Location: | Kent County |
| Form of Government: | Mayor and nine member City Council |
| Council Meetings: | The second and third Mondays of each month at 7 pm |
| Fiscal year begins: | July 1 |
**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development Corporation
