West Warwick was incorporated in 1913, making it the youngest town in Rhode Island. Before the separation, the town housed all of the mills in Warwick, which centered on the Pawtuxet river. The mills of West Warwick produced textiles for clothing, mainly cotton. The "Fruit of the Loom" trademark was actually originated in West Warwick. It was the trademark of the Royal Mill, which later was sold to an undergarment company.
When the mills were in operation they provided for many people and made West Warwick a desirable place to live and a thriving business district. Many people of different nationalities came to West Warwick to work in the mills and they formed many villages which persist today. Some of those villages include Arctic, Centerville, Crompton, Riverpoint, Natick, and Phenix.
The castle-like mills that still stand today around the Pawtuxet river are constant reminders of the thriving economy once experienced in West Warwick during the 19th and 20th centuries. West Warwick is fortunate to have its many historical sites as well as its geographic and natural resources to build upon during its revitalization in the 21st century. Today there have been many steps taken to revitalize Main St. in West Warwick as is evidenced by the construction of a new Gazebo in the center of town on Main St.
Total Population: 29,581
Square Miles (land): 7.9
Age Distribution
<15 years: 19% 16-24 years: 13% 25-44 years: 32% 45-64 years: 22% >65: 14%
Education
Some college/ Associate’s Degree: 28%
Bachelor’s Degree: 12%
Master’s, Professional or Doctorate Degrees: 5%
Housing
Percent of owner-occupied units: 52%
Average Number of household members: 2.6
Average number of rooms: 6.1
Median year homes were built: 1965
Median home value(2006): 245,000
Income
Median household income: $39,505