Warwick , city (1990 pop. 85,427), Kent co., central R.I., at the head of Narragansett Bay; settled by Samuel Gorton e 1642, inc. as a city 1931. Its long important textile industry, now closed, dated from 1794. Current manufactures include machinery, metals, pipes and tubing, and silverware. The town includes the villages of Apponaug, on Greenwich Bay; Hillsgrove, site of the state airport; Warwick; and several former resort areas. Warwick village was nearly destroyed (1676) in King Philip's War . Gaspee Point, S of Pawtuxet, was the scene of the burning of the British revenue cutter Gaspee in 1772; annual "Gaspee Days" commemorate the event. Warwick has a very large music arena and an amusement park. Nathanael Greene was born in the city.

Warwick

The City in Brief

Founded: 1642 (incorporated 1931)

Head Official: Mayor Scott Avedisian (R) (since 2000)

City Population

1980: 87,123

1990: 85,427

2000: 85,808

2004 estimate: 87,683

Percent change, 1990-2000: 0.4%

U.S. rank in 1990: 255th (2nd in state)

U.S. rank in 2000: 328th (2nd in state)

Metropolitan Area Population (Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA)

1980: 1,072,725

1990: 1,134,352

2000: 1,188,613

Percent change, 1990-2000: 4.8%

U.S. rank in 2000: 39th

Area: 20.53 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 64 feet above sea level

Average Annual Temperature: 48.7° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 19 inches rain; 35.5 inches snowfall

Major Economic Sectors: Education and health services, financial services, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing

Unemployment Rate: 4.8% (April 2005)

Per Capita Income: $23,410 (1999)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 2,931

Major Colleges and Universities: Community College of Rhode Island, New England Institute of Technology

Daily Newspapers: The Kent County Daily Times

Warwick, Australia, Canada, UK, USA 1. UK (England): formerly Wærincwicum and Warwic ‘Settlement by the Weir’ on the River Avon from the possible Old English wer ‘weir’ and wīc. It gave its name to the county of Warwickshire with scīr.2. USA (Rhode Island): founded as Shawomet in 1642 and subsequently renamed after Robert Rich (1587–1658), 2nd Earl of Warwick, Lord High Admiral, supporter of Cromwell against King Charles I^†, and a Puritan who headed a colonial government commission in 1643 which led to the establishment of Rhode Island.