Overview

Introduction to Taunton, Massachusetts

Taunton, Massachusetts is 31 miles S of Boston, Massachusetts. The Taunton River flows through the city. It's located in Bristol county and is regarded as one of the oldest towns in the nation. Taunton is a primary regional location for commerce and transportation. The Myles Standish Industrial Park is one of the biggest in New England. The town is home to a Regional Forecast Office of the National Weather Service.

It features nine designated historic districts and more than one hundred buildings included in the National Register of Historic Places. Large homes built by prosperous industrialists in the late 19th century and early 20th century are still standing. The majority of homes in Taunton are simple wood framed homes with a vast number of them being more than 100 years old. Modern residential communities are primarily located on the periphery of Taunton.

Reed & Barton is a prominent manufacturer of silver products and is well known for its silverware. It's one of the oldest businesses in Taunton. The city is known as "Silver City" and "Christmas City." Semiconductor and electronics companies are significant factors for the economy.

Taunton History

The Wampanoags were the original inhabitants. The town was established by Elizabeth Pole in 1637. It was named in tribute to Taunton, Somerset England, the birth place of Elizabeth Pole and the former residence to the majority of the original settlers. Taunton is recognized as the first town in Colonial America to be established by a woman.

In the 19th century Taunton was also known as "Silver City," and featured numerous silversmith facilities. During the 19th century the town was a prominent center for iron making. At this time Taunton was also a primary shipping location for transporting grain from the region's farms to the rest of the country by way of Weir Village and the Taunton River.

Taunton Attractions

  • Silver City Galleria Mall is a prominent shopping location for the region
  • Taunton Green is the town's central square and features war memorial statues and numerous events and parades
  • St. Mary's Church
  • Bristol County Superior Courthouse is an impressive structure
  • The Joseph Willis House is recognized as the oldest home in the city
  • Pilgrim Congregational Church
  • The downtown area features historic locations
  • Old Colony Historical Society
  • A large number of pre-revolutionary war era houses are located in Taunton
  • The Central Fire Station is regarded as one of the oldest functioning station houses in the nation
  • The Christmas celebration is a popular regional event which features the lighting of Taunton Green

Taunton Activities

Massasoit State Park is popular for a wide variety of outdoor activities. Gertrude Boyden Wildlife Sanctuary is a wooded area which features hiking trails, attractive wooden bridges, a botanical garden and is popular with bird watching enthusiasts. Hopewell Park features woodlands and includes walking paths and sports facilities. Hockomock Swamp Wildlife Management Area is popular with nature enthusiasts. Watson Pond State, Hartshorn, Memorial and Weir Village Riverfront parks are notable destinations. Residents enjoy visiting nearby Boston, Plymouth, Providence and Cape Cod. The close by Narragansett Bay Watershed is utilized for kayaking, canoeing and swimming.

Taunton Transportation

Logan International Airport is based in nearby Boston. The Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority provides bus transportation.

Demographics

People

Total Population56,963
Male Share of the Population47.9%
Female Share of the Population52.1%
Senior Citizens15.2%
Employed Population 16+27,963
Age of the Population39

Families

% of people married42.9%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher30.1%
Median Earnings25+$42,372
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$36,205
Median Earnings With High School Degree$37,580

Wealth

Median Family Income$78,809
% Above Poverty Level86.2%
% Below Poverty Level13.8%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time30 minutes
% Working from Home1.7%
% Walking and Biking to Work1.6%
% Using Public Transportation2%

Housing

People Living Alone29.6%
Median Gross Rent$988
Median House Value$260,700

Ancestry

Portuguese24.3%
Irish19.1%
Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)15.9%
Italian10.2%
English9.3%
French Except Basque8.5%
African5.1%
Canadian4.5%
Cape Verdean4.2%
German3.5%
Polish3.3%
West Indian2.9%
Haitian2.3%
Scottish1.6%
Brazilian1.1%
Swedish1%
Greek0.9%
Arab0.5%
Russian0.5%
Jamaican0.4%
Norwegian0.4%
Dutch0.3%
Lebanese0.3%
Lithuanian0.3%
Nigerian0.3%
Albanian0.2%
US/American0.2%
Czech0.2%
Welsh0.2%
Trinidad Tobago0.1%
Egyptian0.1%
Kenyan0.1%
Austrian0.1%
Romanian0.1%
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Taunton Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyBristol County
Standard Zip Codes02780
Company Zip Codes2783
Phone Area Codes5,08,774, 508
Time ZoneAmerica/New_York
Approximate Latitude41.9
Approximate Longitude-71.09

Taunton Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

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

StationTAUNTON
Distance1.4 miles
Jan Temp18 to 37 F
Apr Temp37 to 58 F
Jul Temp61 to 83 F
Oct Temp40 to 63 F
Annual Precip48.3 inches
StationBROCKTON
Distance10.7 miles
Jan Temp18 to 38 F
Apr Temp37 to 58 F
Jul Temp61 to 83 F
Oct Temp40 to 63 F
Annual Precip48.2 inches
StationROCHESTER
Distance12.6 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

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income

Taunton Public Libraries

Taunton Public Library
12 PLEASANT STREET
Taunton, Massachusetts
(508) 821-1411

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More Information for Librarians

Taunton Hospitals

Morton Hospital And Medical Center
(Non-profit)
88 Washington Street

Taunton Public Schools

Benjamin Friedman Middle
500 Norton Avenue
ZIP: 2780
(508) 821-1493
Middle
Total Enrollment 796
Bristol-plymouth Vocational Technical
207 Hart Street
ZIP: 2780
(508) 823-5151
High
Total Enrollment 1322
Edmund Hatch Bennett
47 North Walker Street
ZIP: 2780
(508) 821-1245
Primary
Total Enrollment 352
Edward F. Leddy Preschool
36 Second Street
ZIP: 2780
(508) 821-1275
Primary
Total Enrollment 267
Elizabeth Pole
215 Harris Street
ZIP: 2780
(508) 821-1260
Primary
Total Enrollment 611
H H Galligan
15 Sheridan Street
ZIP: 2780
(508) 821-1295
Primary
Total Enrollment 266
Hopewell
16 Monroe Street
ZIP: 2780
(508) 821-1240
Primary
Total Enrollment 332
John F Parker Middle
60 Williams Street
ZIP: 2780
(508) 821-1112
Middle
Total Enrollment 430
Joseph C Chamberlain
480 Norton Avenue
ZIP: 2780
(508) 821-3598
Primary
Total Enrollment 546
Mulcahey Elementary School
28 Clifford Street
ZIP: 2780
(508) 821-1255
Primary
Total Enrollment 460
Southeast Area
60 Hodges Avenue, Cain Building
ZIP: 2780
(508) 823-5100
Taunton Alternative High School
120 Cohannet Street
ZIP: 2780
(508) 844-5820
High
Total Enrollment 95
Taunton High
50 Williams Street
ZIP: 2780
(508) 821-1101
High
Total Enrollment 2425

Taunton Private Schools

Coyle & Cassidy High School
2 Hamilton St
ZIP: 2780
Secondary
Total Enrollment 577
Our Lady Of Lourdes School
52 1st St
ZIP: 2780
Elementary
Total Enrollment 117
St Mary's Primary School
106 Washington St
ZIP: 2780
Elementary
Total Enrollment 220
Taunton Catholic Middle School
61 Summer St
ZIP: 2780
Elementary
Total Enrollment 207
Sources :
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