Kent County, Rhode Island, is a great place to live! Formed in 1750 and named after the county of Kent, England, the population as of the 2020 census was 170,363. That makes it Rhode Island’s second-most populous county.
Literally in the center of Rhode Island, Kent County has quick and easy access to the state’s long list of amenities and attractions. Kent County has five communities – Warwick, East Greenwich, Coventry, West Greenwich, and West Warwick – each with unique flavor and charm.
Throughout the county, small towns and historic villages preserve the quaint charm and picturesque natural beauty that has endeared newcomers to this area for centuries.
Each community offers much to be desired when considering a place to live in Rhode Island. This blog will look at what makes all five towns special while giving you an overview of Kent County RI Real Estate.
Warwick
Founded in 1642, historic Warwick has grown over the centuries into the second largest city in Rhode Island. The city serves as a hub of culture, healthcare, and education for Central Rhode Island and the rural communities throughout South County. Highly developed, the city offers a wealth of educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities.
Warwick enjoys a strategic location at the center of a major highway system, giving the community a distinct advantage for quality residential and commercial growth. The proximity to Providence has encouraged the development of excellent services and amenities throughout Warwick, from major health and educational institutions to the state’s T.F. Green International Airport.
The sprawling Goddard Memorial State Park, one of the largest in Rhode Island, is located in the Potowomut area. The park has facilities encouraging various outdoor sports and activities, including picnicking, golfing, and saltwater swimming.
Outstanding public and private schools serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade, while the options for higher education meet every need and income level. The Knight Campus of the Community College of Rhode Island is nestled in the town’s western section, expanding the options for affordable higher education close to home for students of all ages. Warwick is also home to the New England Institute of Technology.
Kent Hospital in Warwick serves to anchor a network of healthcare services throughout Kent County. This area represents a major resource for the entire state. This nonprofit hospital offers 24-hour emergency care and medical, surgical, pediatric, obstetrics, and behavioral health specialties. The Rehabilitation Center at Kent Hospital and the New England Home Health Care center are two of the specialized facilities that support diverse needs.
East Greenwich
Located in the state’s geographic center, East Greenwich faces picturesque Narragansett Bay and enjoys all the natural beauty and undeniable appeal of a seaport setting. Verdant hills, deep blue water, and quaint historic homes combine to create a uniquely charming residential atmosphere that captures the attention of newcomers.
This former center for shipbuilding and fishing has evolved into a vital community with a diversified economy and population. The quintessential New England main street is chock full of fantastic restaurants and unique retail establishments that enhance the urban, suburban, and rural characteristics that define the community.
Colonial homes nestle against the downtown hillside as it slowly recedes to the marina and shoreline, while larger, executive homes that feature meticulously landscaping punctuate the western fields and woods.
Good schools, easy access to bay marinas, and the friendly feeling associated with a small town add to the quality of life in East Greenwich. Route 4 to Interstate 95 ensures a quick trip to the amenities of Providence and other regional destinations, adding to the quality of life.
Coventry
Coventry is a community that claims two distinctive sides. While the western portion of Coventry has remained rural, the eastern portion is distinguished as one of the state’s most rapidly growing and popular residential communities.
Blending the rich heritage of yesterday with modern development, the community still retains many of the historic textile mill villages that once dotted the landscape: Anthony, Quidnick, Arkwright, Harris, Washington, Coventry Center, Summit, and Greene.
The housing selection available in Coventry blends multi-family options in the heart of town with many single-family homes in more recently developed areas. Bustling shopping centers and commercial strip developments filled with stores, shops, and services add to Coventry’s convenience in daily life.
Unique attractions in Coventry include historic sites like the General Nathanael Greene Homestead and the Paine House. Those who appreciate outdoor adventure will want to explore the George B. Parker Woodland area - one of several Audubon Society of Rhode Island wildlife refuges that offer nature programs and field trips.
West Greenwich
Once a hunting ground for Narragansett Indians, today, the West Greenwich area is known for its exceptional horseback riding and hiking trails, as well as for the beauty of its rural countryside.
New residents looking for an unspoiled country setting that offers easy access to major urban amenities will find an ideal home in West Greenwich. The Alton Jones Campus for the University of Rhode Island adds a wealth of opportunities for educational enrichment as well as superb regional resources like Whispering Pines Conference Center and the Environmental Education Center.
West Greenwich provides a small-town atmosphere with outstanding outdoor adventure and recreation opportunities around the four seasons. Area attractions include the Step Stone Falls, offering views of unusual rock formations around stepped falls. The Environmental Education Center provides a year-round haven for nature study, including rustic cabins and a lodge. Residents enjoy a treasure trove of parks and recreational facilities nearby for activities from golf and tennis to water sports.
West Warwick
In contrast to many of the communities in Rhode Island, West Warwick wasn’t founded in the 17th century. The town is the youngest community in the historic state, incorporated around the turn of the 20th century in 1913. The area still enjoys a rich tradition of industrial development in the Pawtuxet Valley and a stream of newcomers that formed a well-established community in the 19th century.
The proud legacy of growth and development continues even today. The advantage of prime industrial sites along the convenient Interstate 95 corridor has attracted an influx of business and industry in recent years. Newcomers are pleased with the blend of vintage homes shaded by mature greenery and more modern construction in varying architectural styles.
European traditions are preserved and celebrated in West Warwick, from Saint Patrick’s Day festivities to the Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival. The St. Patrick’s Day parade that began in 1960 quickly grew in fame to achieve statewide recognition. Thousands of spectators, notable dignitaries, and the media converge for the extravaganza.
Newcomers can enjoy living in a mid-size community that offers quick and easy access to additional amenities in nearby Warwick and the capital city of Providence.
A Bit More About Kent County
Newcomers to Kent County will find a world of amenities, from scenic hiking trails and ice-skating rinks to restaurants that serve mouth-watering seafood from a waterfront location along nearly 40 miles of beautiful coastline. Impressive architecture and historic sites abound in the area’s small towns, villages, and major cities - nearly all of which were founded in the 1600s.
Bargain hunters enjoy strolling through the plazas and shopping centers in the Warwick area. This leading city and the area’s smaller towns feature many mills and businesses that focus on antiques, hobby items, collectibles, and crafts. From the latest fashions to one-of-a-kind items, Kent County is home to a unique store or shop with the ideal solution.
Recreational amenities in Kent County include first-rate facilities within the cities and towns, like roller and ice-skating rinks, ballfields, an archery center, golf courses, and tennis courts. Attracting thousands of visitors annually, Goddard State Park offers sweeping lawns, fields, and forested areas with trees from around the globe. Visitors can take advantage of the saltwater beach and bathhouse, golf course, equestrian area, 18 miles of bridle trails, hundreds of picnic tables, game fields, a campground, and a new performing arts center.
The Inside Scoop on Kent County RI Real Estate
The housing selection across Kent County offers diversity in style and price range. Waterfront estates, cozy bungalows, older multi-family units in well-established towns, or suburban development surrounded by the beauty of the countryside are a few of the possibilities. With its strong economy, excellent transportation links, quality schools, access to healthcare, and ideal location, Kent County promises and delivers an exceptional quality of life.
While mortgage interest rates have risen, the Kent County real estate market is still hot! In July 2022, Kent County home prices were up 9% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $365,000. There were 251 homes sold in July this year, down from 305 last year. On average, homes in Kent County sell after 22 days on the market compared to 24 days last year.
In Conclusion
With its wide range of housing options spread throughout its five unique cities and towns, Kent County, Rhode Island, is a great place to live! Whatever style of home or neighborhood you desire, Kent County has it.
I have over 24 years of experience helping clients purchase and sell homes, and I would love to help you find your dream home. Every client receives 100% of my attention, energy, and skillset throughout the process while I walk you through every step from contract to close. If you’re ready to look for a house in beautiful Kent County, contact me today for a no-obligation consultation.
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