The Town of West Warwick, unlike many other communities in the State of Rhode Island, does not have an official founding date going back to the 17th Century. Through the urging and votes of many people in Western Warwick, Governor Adam J. Potheir signed a bill for the division of the Town of Warwick on March 14, 1913. The new town was called West Warwick, the youngest community in the State of Rhode Island

West Warwick has an outstanding tradition and heritage despite its late founding. Rapid industrial development in the Pawtuxet Valley area, continuous educational growth, rapid expansion of commerce, and with the arrival of large groups of immigrants in the 19th Century, West Warwick progressed quickly as a well established town.

West Warwick had been known in its early days for its cotton industry, boasting the first stone cotton mill in the State. The cotton industry gradually decreased. After World War II, increasing trends became apparent in West Warwick; a variety of large businesses providing large outputs and synthetic fiber manufacturers taking a lead over the cotton industry. West Warwick has offered prime industrial sites along Interstate Route 95, and in recent years numerous firms have constructed new plants in this area.

European traditions have been preserved in West Warwick with the celebration of St. Patrick's Day, and the Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival. Its first St. Patrick's Day Parade was held in March 1960, snce then this event has grown to Statewide recognition and has attracted thousands of spectators, many dignitaries and generous media coverage. The Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival, held annually for the past 65 years, commemorates the kindness of the generous Portuguese Queen Isabella, who provided food for the poor of Portugal.

ST. MARYS CHURCH. (1844) 70 Church Street. Oldest Catholic church in Rhode Island. OPEN: During services, Sat, 4-6 p.m.; Sun, 9 a.m.-12 noon. 821-5555.

Population: The population count for the Town of West Warwick as of April 1, 2000, was 29,581. This represented a 1.1% change (313) from the 1990 population of 29,268.

Population Density: West Warwick contains 20.543 square kilometers of land area (7.932 Sq. Miles) and 0.467 square kilometers of water area (0.180 Sq. Miles). Total area is 21.010 square kilometers or 8.112 square miles.

The 2000 population density of West Warwick is 5,394.9 persons per square mile of land area.

Age Distribution: In 2000, 22,949 persons residing in West Warwick were 18 years of age or older.

More Census 2000 data on West Warwick and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.

Town Hall
1170 Main Street
West Warwick, RI 02893
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
June 1 to Labor Day: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
FAX: 822-9212

**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development Corporation