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West Warwick at a Glance:
The town of West Warwick is located in Kent County, Rhode Island. West Warwick was incorporated in 1913, making it the youngest town in the state. Prior to 1913, the town, situated on the western bank of the Pawtuxet River, was the population and industrial center of the larger town of Warwick.
The area that is now the town of West Warwick was the site of some of the earliest textile mills in the United States, situated along the banks of the north and south branches of the Pawtuxet River. These small mill villages would play an important role in the early development of the textile industry in North America.
According to the United States Census Bureau, West Warwick has a total area of 8.1 square miles, of which 0.2 square miles is water.
The following villages are located in West Warwick:
Arctic, formerly known as Jericho
Centerville
Clyde
Crompton
Lippitt
Natick
Phenix
River Point
Wescott
West Warwick has a council-manager form of government. There are five town councilors, one for each of the town's wards. Each is elected to a two-year term.
Housing Facts: 2009
| Typical monthly housing payment* for a $155,000 house | $1,126 |
| Household income required to afford a $155,000 house | $45,037 |
| Average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment | $1,022 |
| Household income required for that rent to be affordable | $40,880 |
| Average private-sector wage for jobs in West Warwick | $38,168 |
| Housing Units in West Warwick |   |
|---|---|
| Number of year-round housing units | 13,115 |
| Housing units that quality as affordable | 1,111 |
| Affordable housing units reserved for the elderly | 709 |
| Affordable housing units reserved for families | 290 |
| Affordable housing units reserved for persons with special needs | 112 |
| Homes funded through Building Homes Rhode Island | 4 |
| How much housing is needed? |   |
|---|---|
| Additional housing units necessary to meet the 10% threshold established by the State's Low and Moderate Income Housing Act of 2004 | 201 |
*Calculated using a 30-year mortgage at 5.04% interest (2009 average rate) with a 5.75% down payment (which includes a 3.5% down payment and a 2.25% one-time mortgage insurance fee), property taxes (the state's average rate of $14.36 per $1,000 of the home's valuation), hazard insurance ($60/month), and monthly mortgage insurance (0.6%/month).