Warwick, New York.

Warwick, New York

Warwick is the second largest township in the US State of New York. The town forms a part of Orange County and encompasses three villages and eight hamlets. Warwick maintains the vibrant and economically flourishing feel of New York State. However, it also adds a suburban feature. Although lively with activities in all seasons, especially in the fall, the town's relaxed pace has earned it the description as "old-fashioned." This character is further imbursed by a view of quaint roads and farming lands.

Geography And Climate Of Warwick

Beautiful colorful autumn leaves falling on a rainy day on a wet country road in Warwick, New York.
Beautiful colorful autumn leaves fall on a rainy day on a wet country road in Warwick, New York. 

Warwick is a large town situated in the southwestern part of New York's Orange County, directly north of the New York-New Jersey border. This proximity places Warwick bordering the New Jersey towns of Vernon and West Milford. As for cities close to Warwick, the New Jersey city of Newark is 37 miles away, while the New York City is 55 miles away. Warwick covers a total area of 271.6 sq. km, of which 263.3 sq. km is occupied by land, and 8.3 sq. km is covered by water. Greenwood Lake village encompasses the largest freshwater body in Orange County and shares the lake with West Milford, New Jersey. Greenwood Lake significantly contributes to the water makeup of 3.04% of the total town area of Warwick.

According to the Köppen Climate Classification, Warwick experiences a hot-summer humid continental climate. Aside from being cold and temperate, the city is characterized by frequent rainfall. The annual precipitation is 47.8 inches. May witnesses the highest number of rainy days, with an average of 12.27 days. The month with the lowest number of rainy days is November, but it does not witness much fewer rainy days than May, which has an average of 8.1 days. As for the temperature, January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 26.5 °F, and July is the warmest month at 73.3°F. Like the surrounding region, July in Warwick has the highest number of sunshine hours, with an average of 10.6 hours per day. This month is also characterized by a relatively intermediate humidity at 67%, making it the best time to visit Warwick.

Brief History Of Warwick

Historic Old School Baptist Meeting House in Warwick, New York
Landscape view of the historic Old School Baptist Meeting House flanked by flowering trees located in the center of the village of Warwick. Editorial credit: Brian Logan Photography / Shutterstock.com

Native Americans have inhabited the area for 12,000 years, but organized communities only appeared 2,000 years ago due to an appreciation of the plentiful springs and Wawayanda Creek. A land patent called Wawayanda was signed with the local Minsi Indians, and the largest aboriginal village was Mistucky after 1703. As white settlers started inhabiting the area, a patent holder Benjamin Aske established a farm in 1719 and named it “Warwick,” most likely after his ancestral region in England. Post the revolutionary war, Bellvale, Florida, Milford, and Sugar Load constituted the main hamlets of the town of Warwick. The establishment of the Warwick Valley Railroad shifted the focus onto the village of Warwick. The town of Warwick was a site for a Continental Army encampment during the American War of Independence. Warwick witnessed calmer and flourishing days in the following centuries. Prominent events included the foundation of the Warwick Valley Dispatch in 1885 and the Greenwood Forest Farms in 1919.

The Population And Economy Of Warwick

Horizontal view of the historic Main Street in downtown Warwick
Horizontal view of the historic Main Street in downtown Warwick. Editorial credit: Brian Logan Photography / Shutterstock.com

As per the latest US Census, Warwick has a population of 6,785 inhabitants with a median age of 49. About 99% of the population are US citizens. They are distributed into different racial backgrounds. The five major ethnicities in Warwick are 86.3% White (non-Hispanic), 3.91% White (Hispanic), 1.49% American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic), 1.09% African American (Non-Hispanic), and 4.52% other races (Hispanic).

The median household income in Warwick is $74,541, making it higher than that of the US at $65,712. Warwick’s economy employs 3,217 people. The majority are employed in the sectors of Health Care and Social Assistance, Educational Services, and Retail Trade. The highest paying industry is Administrative and Support and Waste Management Services. Warwick has a low poverty rate of 5.11%.

Attractions In Warwick

Greenwood Lake

Aerial view of Greenwood Lake
Aerial view of Greenwood Lake. 

Greenwood Lake is the largest body of fresh water in Orange County and is traversed by the New York-New Jersey border. The lake offers several recreational activities, including kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and fishing. Make sure to also experience a day with continuous, direct lake access from a beautiful waterfront house.

Warwick Valley

Sunset over Warwick Valley as seen from Mount Peter in Warwick, New York
Sunset over Warwick Valley as seen from Mount Peter in Warwick, New York. 

Warwick is known for its wineries and distilleries. The wine and food of Warwick Valley are delicious, but the vibes also match up with live music performances.

Appalachian Trail

First built in 1921 by volunteers and completed in 1937, the trail is longer than 2,180 miles. It passes through different forms of nature, from scenery to wild landscapes, to culturally rich lands of the Appalachian Mountains.

The town of Warwick is an excellent destination to spend a day shopping, visiting wineries, attending live performances, and enjoying great food. The addition of farming fields and farmers’ markets adds to the impression that this town could not exist in the same state as the bustling New York City. The suburbs might have a thing or two to charm you.

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