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Fairhaven, MA

Frequently asked questions

Fairhaven, MA

Fairhaven (Massachusett: Sconticut) is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is located on the South Coast of Massachusetts where the Acushnet River flows into Buzzards Bay, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. The town shares a harbor with the city of New Bedford, a place well known for its whaling and fishing heritage; consequently, Fairhaven's history, economy, and culture are closely aligned with those of its larger neighbor. The population of Fairhaven was 15,924 at the time of the 2020 census.

Fairhaven was first settled in 1659 as "Cushnea," the easternmost part of the town of Dartmouth. It was founded on land purchased by English settlers at the Plymouth Colony from the Wampanoag sachem Massasoit, and his son, Wamsutta.

In 1787, the eastern portion of Dartmouth seceded and formed a new settlement called New Bedford. This new town included areas that are the present-day towns of Fairhaven, Acushnet, and New Bedford itself. Fairhaven eventually separated from New Bedford, and it was officially incorporated in 1812.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.1 square miles (37 km2), of which 12.4 square miles (32 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), or 12.06%, is water. It is bordered by the river and New Bedford to the west, Acushnet to the north, Mattapoisett to the east, and Buzzards Bay to the south. The town line with Mattapoisett lies along the Bristol and Plymouth county lines. The town is in the southeastern corner of Bristol County, and contains the easternmost point of the county, on West Island. Fairhaven is approximately 54 miles (87 km) south of Boston, 21 miles (34 km) by land west of Cape Cod, and 32 miles (51 km) southeast of Providence, Rhode Island.

The town is located on Buzzards Bay, on the eastern bank of the Acushnet River at its mouth. The lands of the town jut out into the bay via Sconticut Neck and West Island, along with several other small islands. Most of the town's water area consists of its harbors, bays, and coves, along with a portion of the Acushnet's waters, and Nasketucket and Scipping Creeks. The town lies along a coastal plain and has some swampland along the Nasketucket and around Boy's and Girl's Creeks, north of Priest's Cove. Fairhaven's localities include Fairhaven Center, North Fairhaven, East Fairhaven, Oxford, Poverty Point, Nasketucket, Sconticut Neck, and Winsegansett Heights. Most of the town's population lies either on the west side of town, along Sconticut Neck, or in the village of East Fairhaven, with the northeast quarter of the town's land sparsely populated.

The town has two large public parks, Livesey Park and Cushman Park, as well as several smaller ones. Cushman Park, as well as having tennis courts ballfields, and a bandstand, is the location of Fairhaven High School's running track. The town has several commercial wharves, a yacht club, and several marinas for recreational craft. There are several small bathing beaches, the largest being the Fort Phoenix State Reservation, a south-facing beach to the east of the fort, and the New Bedford Harbor Hurricane Barrier. There is also a bike path, the Phoenix Rail Trail, which travels along a long-unused railroad right-of-way (formerly the Fairhaven Branch Railroad), just to the south of Route 6. The 5.2-mile long rail trail connects Fairhaven Center with Mattapoisett Center.

Fairhaven places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Southcoast Health offers a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Sault Fitness provides various fitness programs to suit different needs. Start your day with a rejuvenating yoga session at Soulflower Yoga and Wellness, offering classes for all skill levels. For those interested in outdoor activities, a visit to the picturesque Fairhaven Bike Path is a must for cycling or a leisurely walk. Dartmouth Total Fitness provides a comprehensive gym experience with a variety of fitness classes and personal training options. The Mattapoisett Wellness Center offers holistic health services including massage therapy, acupuncture, and nutritional counseling. The Fairhaven Recreation Center hosts various fitness programs and sports leagues. 

Top sites in Fairhaven, MA are Fort Phoenix State Reservation, Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship House, and Bask Inc.

Population: 16,026 (2024). ZIP code: 02719. Area code: 508, 774. Elevation: 15 ft (5 m). Area: 14.1 square miles (37 km2).

FAQs

Is Fairhaven, MA a nice place to live?

Living in Fairhaven offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Fairhaven, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many retirees live in Fairhaven and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Fairhaven are above average.

What is Fairhaven, MA famous for?

Fairhaven is where famed sailor Captain Joshua Slocum rebuilt the small sloop Spray before sailing it around the world alone from 1895 to 1898. Between 1885 and 1906, Fairhaven benefited greatly from the gifts of magnificent European-style public architecture donated by native son Henry H. Rogers, a multimillionaire from his career in the Standard Oil Company. A grammar school, library, town hall, high school, Unitarian Church, and the public water system were among the gifts given by Rogers.

What towns border Fairhaven, MA?

By land area, Fairhaven is the smallest town on Buzzards Bay at just 12 square miles. The entire town lies within the Buzzards Bay watershed, with New Bedford to the west, Mattapoisett to the east, and Acushnet to the north. As of the 2010 Census, Fairhaven was home to 15,873 residents. Its shoreline stretches 29 miles along Buzzards Bay, New Bedford Harbor, and Nasketucket Bay.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Fairhaven

Niche

Save Buzzards Bay

Fort Phoenix State Reservation

Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship House 

Bask Inc.

Southcoast Health

Sault Fitness

Soulflower Yoga and Wellness

Fairhaven Bike Path

Dartmouth Total Fitness

Mattapoisett Wellness Center
 

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