Warwick was founded by Samuel Gorton in 1642 and has witnessed major events in American history.

It was decimated during King Philip's War (1675–1676) and was the site of the Gaspee Affair, the first act of armed resistance against the British, preceding even the Boston Tea Party, and a significant prelude to the American Revolution.

Narragansett Sachem Miantonomi sold him the Shawhomett Purchase for 144 fathoms of wampum.

However, Sachems Sacononoco and Pumham claimed that Miantonomi had sold the land without asking for their approval.

In 1643, Massachusetts Bay Colony sent a militia force to Shawomett to arrest Gorton and his followers.

[7]: 302 In 1772, Warwick was the scene of the first violent act against the British Crown in the Gaspee Affair.

It was here that the first blood was spilled in the American Revolution when Gaspee's commanding officer Lt. Dudingston was shot and seriously wounded during the struggle for the ship.

[9] During the Revolution, Warwick militiamen participated in the battles of Montreal, Quebec, Saratoga, Monmouth, and Trenton, and they were present for the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781.

Interstate 295 connects to the main highway at exit 27, providing direct travel to Woonsocket and Massachusetts.

Warwick's entire eastern edge is waterfront, starting with the Providence River at its northern border with Cranston.

Conimicut Point marks the end of the river and the beginning of Narragansett Bay, which extends beyond the city's southern limit on its way to the Atlantic Ocean; two southern Warwick peninsulas, Warwick Neck and Potowomut, enclose the water to form Greenwich Bay.

The town is a part of Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district, which is currently represented by Democrat Seth Magaziner.

The high schools are set for renovations in March 2025, a year after the city council issued a $350 million bond to rebuild them.

The school lists an East Greenwich address, despite being geographically included as part of the city of Warwick.