Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox U.S. county

File:Cranberry Bogs MA 2022.jpg

Cranberry Bogs in Plymouth County, September 24, 2022. The cranberries (bright pink in the image) are ready for harvest.

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.<ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref> Its county seats<ref>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.</ref> are Plymouth and Brockton.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> 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 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 Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (40%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.

Norfolk County (north)
Barnstable County (southeast)
Bristol County (west)

National protected area

Major highways

Demographics

Template:US Census population

File:JacobThaxterHouse.jpg

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 Template:Convert. There were 181,524 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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%.<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> 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<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>). 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 494,919 people, 181,126 households, and 127,925 families in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 200,161 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert.<ref name="census-density">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="census-dp1" /> 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.<ref name="census-dp2">Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name="census-dp1" />

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.<ref name="census-dp3">Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographic breakdown by town

Income

Template:See also 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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:<ref>Plymouth County official website</ref>

Chairman Jared L. Valanzola (R-Plymouth) <ref>Plymouth County commissioner Sandra Wright sworn in Template:Dead link</ref> , Commissioner Sandra M. Wright (R-Bridgewater), and Commissioner Gregory M. Hanley (D-Abington)

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-Scituate), Register of Probate Matthew McDonough (D-Marshfield), and Clerk of Courts Robert Creedon (D-Brockton)

Presidential election results

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 17, 2018<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Party		Number of voters	Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Democratic	93,571	25.91%
Template:Party color cell	Republican	46,856	12.97%
Template:Party color cell	Unenrolled	215,247	59.59%
Template:Party color cell	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 sign	Frequency	City of license<ref>FM Query – FM Radio Technical Information – Audio Division (FCC) USA Template:Webarchive</ref><ref name="fcc.gov">AM Query – AM Radio Technical Information – Audio Division (FCC) USA Template:Webarchive</ref>	Licensee<ref name="fcc.gov" /><ref>FM Query – FM Radio Technical Information – Audio Division (FCC) USA Template:Webarchive</ref>	Format Template:Citation needed	Notes
WATD-FM	Template:Hs95.9 FM	Marshfield	Marshfield Broadcasting Co., Inc.	Adult contemporary
WBMS	1460 AM	Brockton	Marshfield Broadcasting Co., Inc.	Adult contemporary
WBIM-FM	Template:Hs91.5 FM	Bridgewater	Bridgewater State University	College radio, alternative
WPLM	1390 AM	Plymouth	Plymouth Rock Broadcasting Co., Inc.	Various	Currently silent since February 15, 2024<ref>Campbell, Laurie J. (January 22, 2024). "Request for Silent Authority of an AM Station Application". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved March 17, 2024.</ref>
WPLM-FM	Template:Hs99.1 FM	Plymouth	Plymouth Rock Broadcasting Co., Inc.	Adult contemporary
WRPS	Template:Hs88.3 FM	Rockland	Rockland Public Schools	High school radio
WSMA	Template:Hs90.5 FM	Scituate	Calvary Chapel of Twin Falls, Inc.	Religious
WVBF	1530 AM	Middleborough Center	Steven J. Callahan	Talking Information Center
WWTA	Template:Hs88.5 FM	Marion	Tabor Academy	High school radio	Defunct since April 1, 2014 <ref>FCC Public Notice" (PDF). March 31, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2024</ref>
WZRM	Template:Hs97.7 FM	Brockton	iHM Licenses, LLC	Spanish 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:

Abington Mariner<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> – Abington
Duxbury Clipper<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> – Duxbury
The Hingham Journal<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> – Hingham
Marshfield Mariner -<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> – Marshfield
Old Colony Memorial<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> – Plymouth
Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express – Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston.
Rockland Standard – Rockland
Scituate Mariner<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> – Scituate
The Sentinel – Marion and Rochester

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.