The foundation by the Lombard king Aistulf of St. Mary's Church in the castle (Castrum Carpi) in 752 was the first step in the current settlement of the city.

The city received a Silver Medal for Military Valour in recognition of its participation in the resistance against the German occupation during World War II.

Almost 1000 athletes enter the senior men's and women's race which has been held every year since 1988 in honor of Dorando Pietri, a long distance runner born in Carpi that lost his Olympic Gold Medal for being helped to stand up after a fall near the finish line.

[4] It counts the hamlets (frazioni) of Budrione, Cantone di Gargallo, Cibeno Pile, Cortile, Fossoli, Gargallo, Lama di Quartirolo, Migliarina, Osteriola, San Marino, San Martino Secchia and Santa Croce.

On 2016 the Carpi-born world champion swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri won Gold Medal on 1 500 free style at Brazil Olympics.