Overview

Introduction to Plymouth, Massachusetts

Plymouth, Massachusetts, in Plymouth county, is 34 miles SE of Boston, Massachusetts. Plymouth Rock is well known for being the final landing location of the renowned Mayflower ship and the Pilgrims. "Plimoth" is the old English spelling for the community. It's the oldest town in New England and one of the oldest in the nation. It's situated in the "South Shore."

Plymouth features an active port. Tourism is the primary industry for the historic town. Healthcare, technical/scientific research and telecommunications are important factors for the economy. The Atlantic coast portion features low plains and the western area has a hilly and forested landscape. Plymouth has numerous beaches. The climate is regarded as humid continental. The town has become popular with retirees and people who commute to Boston. Outside of downtown, Plymouth includes numerous distinct villages.

Plymouth History

The Wampanoag Indians, known as the Patuxet, were the original inhabitants. A terrible plague occurred in approximately 1617 which killed approximately 90% of the Indians. The plague was possibly brought to the area by the British and French fishermen. Plymouth was the last landing site for the Pilgrims and their Mayflower ship. It was the first settlement for the Plymouth Colony and served as the capital. The town was established in 1620 by the English known as the "separatists," also called Pilgrims.

At the request of Massasoit, the Wampanoag Tribe Chief, an English speaking Indian named Squanto was a major help in teaching the Pilgrims how to produce important items, grow corn and offered fishing techniques and showed them the primary fishing locations. He was a major factor in their survival. In 1621 the well known first Thanksgiving took place with the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians. During the 19th century fishing, shipping and rope making were flourishing. The Plymouth Cordage Company was the world's largest producer of rope and cordage products. Ship building also became a prominent industry.

Plymouth Historic Sites

  • Plymouth Rock Monument, according to tradition is the site of the last landing of the Pilgrims
  • Pilgrim Hall Museum is regarded as the oldest continually operating museum in the nation
  • Plimoth Plantation features a replica of the Plymouth Settlement and a re-creation of the Wampanoag community
  • The Mayflower II is a full-sized re-creation of the historic Mayflower ship which transported the Pilgrims to Plymouth
  • Coles Hill features a sarcophagus which includes the bones of Pilgrims that died during the winter of 1620
  • Hedge House Museum is a Federal style home
  • The National Monument to the Forefathers is one of the tallest free standing solid granite monuments in the nation
  • Jenny Grist Mill is a working re-creation of a grist mill used in the early days
  • The Jabez Howland House features historic furniture and artifacts and is known to be a former residence of Pilgrims
  • Burial Hill is one of the oldest cemeteries in the nation
  • 1749 Court House and Museum features notable artifacts from Plymouth's history and is regarded as the oldest Courthouse made from wood in the country
  • Mayflower Society House is a notable mansion and includes historic furnishings and relics
  • Pilgrim Hall Museum showcases artifacts of the Pilgrims
  • 1670 Harlow Old Fort House Museum is a working museum

Other notable attractions include the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, the Waterfront Festival, Golden Gull Studios, Kusmin Art Gallery, the scenic Plymouth Colony Winery and concerts on the Waterfront

Plymouth Activities

Myles Standish State Forest is popular for camping, bicycle riding, fishing and hiking and features numerous lakes and ponds. Ellisville Harbor State Park features a notable beach situated inside Cape Cod Bay. Golfing enthusiasts enjoy the local courses including the well known Waverly Oaks Golf Club, the Plymouth Country Club, Pinehills and Squirrel Run. Whitehorse, Plymouth Long, Scusset and Duxbury beaches are enjoyed by residents and visitors. The scenic Ellisville Harbor includes a barrier beach. Wale watching and deep sea fishing are popular with visitors.

Plymouth Higher Education

The town is home to Quincy College and Curry College.

Demographics

People

Total Population7,122
Male Share of the Population46.3%
Female Share of the Population53.7%
Senior Citizens21.1%
Employed Population 16+3,966
Age of the Population45

Families

% of people married37.5%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher41.6%
Median Earnings25+$40,827
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$35,934
Median Earnings With High School Degree$31,559

Wealth

Median Family Income$68,419
% Above Poverty Level92.6%
% Below Poverty Level7.4%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time27 minutes
% Working from Home3.1%
% Walking and Biking to Work4.6%
% Using Public Transportation2.9%

Housing

People Living Alone39.1%
Median Gross Rent$1,245
Median House Value$343,200

Ancestry

Irish31.7%
Italian16.8%
English15.4%
Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)10%
German9.9%
Brazilian7.2%
Portuguese6.1%
French Except Basque5.2%
Scottish3.3%
Polish3.1%
Swedish2.7%
Finnish2.5%
Canadian2.5%
Greek1.6%
Ukrainian1%
African0.7%
Cape Verdean0.7%
US/American0.4%
Danishn0.4%
Dutch0.3%
Welsh0.3%
Arab0.3%
Russian0.3%
Lithuanian0.3%
Hungarian0.3%
Estonian0.2%
Czech0.1%
Lebanese0.1%
Norwegian0.1%
Egyptian0.1%
Slovak0.1%
New Zealand0.1%
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Plymouth Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyPlymouth County
Standard Zip Codes02360
P.O. Box Zip Codes2361, 2362
Phone Area Codes508, 774
Time ZoneAmerica/New_York
Approximate Latitude41.95
Approximate Longitude-70.66

Plymouth Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationPLYMOUTH-KINGSTON
Distance2.4 miles
Jan Temp20 to 38 F
Apr Temp37 to 56 F
Jul Temp63 to 82 F
Oct Temp44 to 63 F
Annual Precip51 inches
StationROCHESTER
Distance17.6 miles
Jan Temp19 to 38 F
Apr Temp37 to 57 F
Jul Temp62 to 83 F
Oct Temp42 to 63 F
Annual Precip49.8 inches
StationHINGHAM
Distance22.9 miles
Jan Temp20 to 37 F
Apr Temp38 to 57 F
Jul Temp62 to 81 F
Oct Temp42 to 62 F
Annual Precip49.8 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Duxbury1,668$168,000
Kingston6,205$115,343
Marshfield4,976$131,038

Plymouth Public Libraries

Plymouth Public Library
132 SOUTH STREET
Plymouth, Massachusetts
(508) 830-4250

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Plymouth Hospitals

Jordan Hospital
(Non-profit)
275 Sandwich Street

Plymouth Public Schools

Cold Spring
25 Alden Street
ZIP: 2360
(508) 830-4335
Primary
Total Enrollment 244
Federal Furnace School
860 Federal Furnace Road
ZIP: 2360
(508) 830-4360
Primary
Total Enrollment 418
Hedge
258 Standish Avenue
ZIP: 2360
(508) 830-4340
Primary
Total Enrollment 223
Indian Brook
1181 State Rd
ZIP: 2360
(508) 830-4370
Primary
Total Enrollment 610
Manomet Elementary
70 Manomet Point Rd
ZIP: 2360
(508) 830-4380
Primary
Total Enrollment 323
Mount Pleasant
22 Whiting Street
ZIP: 2360
(508) 830-4347
Primary
Total Enrollment 78
Nathaniel Morton Elementary
6 Lincoln Street
ZIP: 2360
(508) 830-4320
Primary
Total Enrollment 610
Plymouth Commun Intermediate
117 Long Pond Road
ZIP: 2360
(508) 830-4450
Middle
Total Enrollment 986
Plymouth North High
41 Obery Street
ZIP: 2360
(508) 830-4400
High
Total Enrollment 1285
Plymouth South High
490 Long Pond Road
ZIP: 2360
(508) 224-7512
High
Total Enrollment 1073
Plymouth South Middle
488 Long Pond Road
ZIP: 2360
(508) 224-2725
Middle
Total Enrollment 846
Rising Tide Charter Public School
6 Resnik Road
ZIP: 2360
(508) 747-2620
Other
Total Enrollment 601
South Elementary
178 Bourne Rd
ZIP: 2360
(508) 830-4390
Primary
Total Enrollment 643
West Elementary
170 Plympton Rd
ZIP: 2360
(508) 830-4350
Primary
Total Enrollment 364

Plymouth Private Schools

Garden Of Knowledge
40 State Rd
ZIP: 2360
Elementary
Total Enrollment 8
Kindercare Learning Center
15 Richards Rd
ZIP: 2360
Elementary
Total Enrollment 8
New Testament Christian School
1120 Long Pond Rd
ZIP: 2360
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 85
Radius Pediatric Center Day School At Plymouth
123 South St
ZIP: 2360
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 18
Southeast Campus School
900 Ship Pond Rd
ZIP: 2360
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 22
Woodside School & Community Resource Center
34 Southers Marsh Ln
ZIP: 2360
Elementary
Total Enrollment 11
Sources :
Our Partner Listings
Historic Plymouth

photo

Unveiling tablet commemorating first settelment of Mass. Bay Colony (Stage Fort Park) c1907.

Select a photo to view (Source):

Unveiling tablet commemorating first settelment of Mass. Bay Colony (Stage Fort Park) c1907.

Unveiling tablet commemorating first settlement of Mass. Bay Colony (Stage Fort Park) between 1900 and 1907

Statue to Massasoit between 1921 and 1930

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