Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Plymouth County is a county in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, south of Boston. As of the 2020 census, the population was 530,819.[1] Its county seats[2] are Plymouth and Brockton.[3] In 1685, the county was created by the Plymouth General Court, the legislature of Plymouth Colony, predating its annexation by the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Plymouth County
County
First Church Site marker, Men of Kent Cemetery, Meetinghouse Lane, Scituate, Massachusetts
First Church Site marker, Men of Kent Cemetery, Meetinghouse Lane, Scituate, Massachusetts
Official seal of Plymouth County
Seal
Map of Massachusetts highlighting Plymouth County
Location within the U.S. state of Massachusetts
Map of the United States highlighting Massachusetts
Massachusetts's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°58′44″N 70°49′08″W
Country United States
State Massachusetts
Founded2 June 1685
SeatPlymouth and Brockton
Largest cityBrockton
Area
 • Total1,093 sq mi (2,830 km2)
 • Land659 sq mi (1,710 km2)
 • Water434 sq mi (1,120 km2)  40%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total530,819
 • Density806.1/sq mi (311.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts4th, 8th, 9th
Websitewww.plymouthcountyma.gov
Cranberry Bogs in Plymouth County, September 24, 2022. The cranberrries (bright pink in the image) are ready for harvest.

Plymouth County is part of the Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,093 square miles (2,830 km2), of which 659 square miles (1,710 km2) is land and 434 square miles (1,120 km2) (40%) is water.[4] It is the third-largest county in Massachusetts by total area.

Adjacent counties

The towns of Hingham and Hull in Plymouth County extend north of Norfolk County and face onto Massachusetts Bay, sharing a northern water boundary with Suffolk County.

National protected area

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179029,512—
180030,0731.9%
181035,16916.9%
182038,1368.4%
183043,04412.9%
184047,37310.1%
185055,69717.6%
186064,76816.3%
187065,3650.9%
188074,01813.2%
189092,70025.2%
1900113,98523.0%
1910144,33726.6%
1920156,9688.8%
1930162,3113.4%
1940168,8244.0%
1950189,46812.2%
1960248,44931.1%
1970333,31434.2%
1980405,43721.6%
1990435,2767.4%
2000472,8228.6%
2010494,9194.7%
2020530,8197.3%
2021 (est.)533,0030.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[9]
Jacob Thaxter House in Hingham

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 472,972 people, 168,361 households, and 122,398 families in the county. The population density was 716 inhabitants per square mile (276/km2). There were 181,524 housing units at an average density of 275 per square mile (106/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.70% White, 4.56% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.06% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. 2.44%.[10] were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.0% were of Irish, 12.8% Italian, 10.6% English and 5.1% American ancestry, 90.1% spoke English, 2.5% Spanish, 2.3% Portuguese, 1.5% French Creole and 1.0% French as their first language.

Of the 168,361 households 36.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 22.20% of households were one person and 9.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.23.

The age distribution was 26.80% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median household income was $55,615 and the median family income was $65,554 (these figures had risen to $70,335 and $82,560 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[11]). Males had a median income of $45,535 versus $31,389 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,789. About 4.90% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.30% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

The leading ancestry group in Plymouth County is Irish, with 31%. Plymouth County, along with Norfolk County, Massachusetts, claims the highest percentage of people with Irish ancestry in the United States.[12]

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 494,919 people, 181,126 households, and 127,925 families in the county.[13] The population density was 750.9 inhabitants per square mile (289.9/km2). There were 200,161 housing units at an average density of 303.7 per square mile (117.3/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 85.5% white, 7.2% black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 3.2% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.2% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 33.7% were Irish, 15.8% were Italian, 15.3% were English, 7.3% were German, and 3.7% were American.[15]

Of the 181,126 households, 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 23.8% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.18. The median age was 41.1 years.[13]

The median household income was $73,131 and the median family income was $86,251. Males had a median income of $60,303 versus $43,837 for females. The per capita income for the county was $33,333. About 5.0% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Income
See also: List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income

The ranking of unincorporated communities that are included on the list are reflective if the census designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns. Data is from the 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.[17][18][19]

Rank Town Per capita
income		 Median
household
income		 Median
family
income		 Population Number of
households
Duxbury CDP $80,077 $113,672 $218,542 1,459 555
South Duxbury CDP $68,911 $139,712 $169,671 3,435 1,260
Hingham CDP $61,486 $104,926 $134,637 5,856 2,117
The Pinehills CDP $58,507 $91,875 $115,819 922 488
1 Hingham Town $56,671 $99,318 $132,744 21,916 8,046
2 Duxbury Town $55,510 $122,396 $139,873 14,978 5,256
3 Norwell Town $48,440 $109,167 $118,679 10,430 3,468
Green Harbor CDP $47,993 $128,828 $134,157 2,245 876
Marshfield Hills CDP $47,593 $102,344 $135,396 2,485 916
4 Scituate Town $47,122 $89,485 $111,893 18,115 6,957
Marion Center CDP $45,404 $83,413 $97,102 1,081 435
5 Marion Town $43,383 $87,793 $90,536 4,926 1,873
6 Hull Town $43,290 $72,036 $95,964 10,391 4,672
North Scituate CDP $43,214 $84,712 $107,606 5,394 1,955
Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock CDP $42,296 $77,245 $89,940 4,705 1,920
7 Marshfield Town $42,269 $93,743 $110,756 25,059 9,322
Scituate CDP $40,337 $69,388 $107,647 5,201 2,169
8 Hanover Town $39,631 $100,982 $114,484 13,813 4,729
North Lakeville CDP $39,363 $67,361 $103,456 2,174 840
9 Mattapoisett Town $39,312 $82,065 $95,568 6,073 2,436
10 Kingston Town $37,783 $77,288 $86,489 12,556 4,624
11 Plympton Town $37,755 $93,882 $102,773 2,799 991
Kingston CDP $36,335 $67,292 $75,671 5,695 2,250
Marshfield CDP $36,112 $71,938 $100,855 4,501 1,838
12 Pembroke Town $35,228 $82,064 $98,156 17,740 6,291
Massachusetts State $35,051 $65,981 $83,371 6,512,227 2,522,409
13 Lakeville Town $35,010 $93,260 $104,416 10,533 3,586
Plymouth Center CDP $34,997 $51,463 $80,924 6,900 3,177
14 Rochester Town $34,994 $98,728 $104,496 5,159 1,699
15 Halifax Town $34,880 $83,522 $89,456 7,516 2,798
Mattapoisett Center CDP $34,877 $65,034 $85,758 2,898 1,223
Plymouth County County $34,285 $74,698 $88,110 492,934 178,996
16 Plymouth Town $33,891 $76,631 $90,764 56,011 20,946
17 West Bridgewater Town $33,590 $80,729 $95,182 6,896 2,432
18 Abington Town $33,386 $81,677 $92,839 15,841 5,962
19 Hanson Town $32,864 $89,000 $96,705 10,148 3,436
North Pembroke CDP $32,239 $74,866 $80,776 3,090 1,180
20 East Bridgewater Town $31,802 $79,676 $98,113 13,704 4,682
21 Whitman Town $31,378 $74,610 $87,713 14,430 5,192
22 Middleborough Town $31,179 $73,490 $85,769 22,807 8,059
West Wareham CDP $31,166 $43,029 $63,452 2,178 963
Hanson CDP $30,630 $88,750 $95,085 1,932 666
23 Rockland Town $30,325 $63,896 $74,203 17,515 6,912
24 Bridgewater Town $29,460 $88,697 $101,641 26,508 7,927
25 Carver Town $29,176 $70,608 $85,996 11,481 4,286
26 Wareham Town $28,066 $52,556 $64,891 21,673 9,176
United States Country $27,915 $52,762 $64,293 306,603,772 114,761,359
Weweantic CDP $27,543 $45,833 $51,563 2,008 870
North Plymouth CDP $27,533 $54,000 $77,952 3,740 1,452
Onset CDP $27,391 $41,458 $44,507 1,026 605
Wareham Center CDP $27,391 $45,392 $54,357 3,122 1,533
Middleborough Center CDP $26,763 $59,112 $76,111 6,593 2,407
White Island Shores CDP $25,656 $88,519 $91,250 2,186 680
Bridgewater CDP $22,994 $60,744 $79,621 7,724 2,359
27 Brockton City $22,312 $49,848 $57,228 93,916 33,238

Government and politics

Elected Officials

Plymouth County is governed by three County Commissioners:[20]

Chairman Jared L. Valanzola (R-Rockland) [21] , Commissioner Sandra M. Wright (R-Bridgewater), and Commissioner Gregory M. Hanley (D-Plymouth)

Other county elected officials include Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, jr. (R-Kingston), District Attorney Timothy Cruz (R-Marshfield), Treasurer Thomas J. O'Brien (D-Plymouth), Register of Deeds John R. Buckley, jr. (D-Brockton), Register of Probate Matthew McDonough (D-Marshfield), and Clerk of Courts Robert Creedon (D-Brockton)

Presidential election results

From the late 19th to the mid 20th centuries, Plymouth County was a Republican Party stronghold in presidential elections. From 1876 to 1988, only three Democrats carried the county: Lyndon Johnson, Hubert Humphrey, and Jimmy Carter. Since 1992, however, it has become solidly Democratic, though less so relative to other counties in the state. In 2012, Mitt Romney lost the county by 4.2 points, the closest a Republican has come to winning a county in Massachusetts since 1988. However, it has become more Democratic afterwards, and in 2020, Joe Biden carried the county by 17 points, the largest margin of victory for a Democrat since 1996.

United States presidential election results for Plymouth County, Massachusetts[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 121,227 40.17% 173,630 57.53% 6,959 2.31%
2016 115,369 42.54% 135,513 49.97% 20,295 7.48%
2012 121,086 47.20% 131,845 51.40% 3,600 1.40%
2008 112,904 45.19% 131,817 52.77% 5,096 2.04%
2004 105,603 45.27% 125,178 53.66% 2,516 1.08%
2000 82,751 39.11% 115,376 54.53% 13,450 6.36%
1996 64,626 33.31% 106,072 54.67% 23,313 12.02%
1992 69,514 33.47% 79,160 38.11% 59,036 28.42%
1988 105,684 54.62% 84,587 43.72% 3,209 1.66%
1984 105,230 60.21% 68,923 39.44% 618 0.35%
1980 85,593 49.40% 58,772 33.92% 28,883 16.67%
1976 74,684 45.42% 83,663 50.88% 6,086 3.70%
1972 76,062 52.07% 69,124 47.32% 878 0.60%
1968 54,644 42.70% 67,771 52.96% 5,562 4.35%
1964 37,941 31.53% 82,007 68.15% 387 0.32%
1960 60,977 51.52% 57,175 48.31% 197 0.17%
1956 75,575 71.19% 30,377 28.61% 209 0.20%
1952 67,922 67.22% 32,815 32.48% 305 0.30%
1948 48,925 57.46% 34,765 40.83% 1,456 1.71%
1944 47,245 59.27% 32,290 40.51% 174 0.22%
1940 48,617 58.15% 34,481 41.24% 508 0.61%
1936 41,942 53.76% 30,466 39.05% 5,602 7.18%
1932 37,729 57.39% 26,137 39.76% 1,878 2.86%
1928 41,362 61.95% 24,887 37.27% 517 0.77%
1924 34,728 68.97% 8,863 17.60% 6,764 13.43%
1920 33,582 73.54% 9,373 20.53% 2,708 5.93%
1916 13,515 52.48% 11,009 42.75% 1,228 4.77%
1912 5,590 23.63% 6,991 29.56% 11,072 46.81%
1908 13,236 62.42% 5,295 24.97% 2,674 12.61%
1904 12,671 60.89% 5,746 27.61% 2,392 11.50%
1900 10,813 60.68% 4,665 26.18% 2,343 13.15%
1896 13,405 76.53% 3,396 19.39% 716 4.09%
1892 10,501 56.97% 7,296 39.58% 637 3.46%
1888 9,366 58.28% 6,086 37.87% 618 3.85%
1884 7,653 52.71% 4,455 30.69% 2,410 16.60%
1880 8,942 64.07% 4,659 33.38% 355 2.54%
1876 8,310 64.68% 4,518 35.17% 19 0.15%

County seal

The seal was adopted by the Plymouth County Commissioners on March 31, 1931, under the authority of the General Laws, Chapter 34, Section 14, and was designed by Frederic T. Bailey of North Scituate who was, at that time and for many years, chairman of the county commissioners.

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 17, 2018[23]
Party Number of voters Percentage
Democratic 93,571 25.91%
Republican 46,856 12.97%
Unenrolled 215,247 59.59%
Minor Parties 1,322 0.37%
Total 361,186 100%

Media

For television, the city is served by the Boston and Providence media markets; no television stations are located within the county.

Radio stations located in Plymouth County include:

Call signFrequencyCity of license[24][25]Licensee[25][26]Format
WATD-FM95.9 FMMarshfieldMarshfield Broadcasting Co., Inc.Adult contemporary
WBMS1460 AMBrocktonMarshfield Broadcasting Co., Inc.Adult contemporary
WBIM-FM91.5 FMBridgewaterBridgewater State UniversityCollege radio, alternative
WPLM1390 AMPlymouthPlymouth Rock Broadcasting Co., Inc.Various
WPLM-FM99.1 FMPlymouthPlymouth Rock Broadcasting Co., Inc.Adult contemporary
WRPS88.3 FMRocklandRockland Public SchoolsHigh school radio
WSMA90.5 FMScituateCalvary Chapel of Twin Falls, Inc.Religious
WVBF1530 AMMiddleborough CenterSteven J. CallahanTalking Information Center
WWTA88.5 FMMarionTabor AcademyHigh school radio
WZRM97.7 FMBrocktoniHM Licenses, LLCSpanish CHR

The first radio broadcast in history was made in 1906, from the Brant Rock neighborhood in the town of Marshfield.

The Brockton Enterprise is the only daily newspaper published in the county, although the Quincy Patriot Ledger has extensive coverage of the South Shore of Massachusetts generally and Plymouth County in particular.

There are numerous weekly newspapers published in the county, including:

Many were operated by the Memorial Press Group, based in Plymouth, until the chain was sold to GateHouse Media in 2006. The flagship of the group was the Old Colony Memorial, the oldest continually published weekly newspaper in New England, first published in 1822.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other villages

See also

Footnotes
  1. "2020 Census Demographic Data Map Viewer". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. The term shire town is the statutory term for the Massachusetts town having a county court and administration offices, but county seat is the standard term used in general communications by the Massachusetts government. See, for example: Secretary of the Commonwealth: A Listing of Counties and the Cities and Towns Within http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisctlist/ctlistcoun.htm.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  9. "2020 Census Demographic Data Map Viewer". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. Bureau, U.S. Census. "American FactFinder - Community Facts". factfinder.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 11, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  12. "US Census Press Releases". Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  13. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  15. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  16. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  17. "SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  18. "ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  19. "HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  20. Plymouth County official website
  21. Plymouth County commissioner Sandra Wright sworn in
  22. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  23. "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 17, 2018" (PDF). Massachusetts Elections Division. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  24. FM Query – FM Radio Technical Information – Audio Division (FCC) USA Archived August 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  25. AM Query – AM Radio Technical Information – Audio Division (FCC) USA Archived August 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  26. FM Query – FM Radio Technical Information – Audio Division (FCC) USA Archived August 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  27. "Abington Mariner: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Abington, MA". Abington Mariner.
  28. "June 13, 2018 - Duxbury Clipper: Your Hometown Newspaper since 1950". www.duxburyclipper.com.
  29. "The Hingham Journal: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Hingham, MA". The Hingham Journal.
  30. "Marshfield Mariner: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Marshfield, MA". Marshfield Mariner.
  31. "Wicked Local Plymouth: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Plymouth, MA". Wicked Local Plymouth.
  32. "Scituate Mariner: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Scituate, MA". Scituate Mariner. Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2016.

Further reading

41.99°N 70.74°W / 41.99; -70.74

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