The lands that today comprise the city of Caruaru were originally a cattle ranch owned by family Nunes dos Bezerros.

One of them, José Rodrigues de Jesus, inherited part of the estate, staying at the location that would later be named Caruaru.

In 1846, Friar Euzébio de Sales started to build the parish named Igreja Matriz, nowadays a cathedral.

The main economic activities in Caruaru are industry (especially textiles), tourism, commerce, and handicraft, and the primary sector, especially the raising of goats, chickens, and cattle, and the production of milk.

Every June, as part of the nativity of St John the Baptist, Caruaru hosts one of the principal Brazilian Festa Junina.