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Swansea, MA

Frequently asked questions

Swansea, MA

Swansea is a town in Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts. It is located at the mouth of the Taunton River, just west of Fall River, 47 miles (76 km) south of Boston, and 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Providence, Rhode Island. The population was 17,144 at the 2020 census. The villages of Hortonville, Barneyville, and Ocean Grove are located in the town.

Swansea is a part of the South Coast region of Massachusetts which encompasses the cities and towns that surround Buzzards Bay (excluding the Elizabeth Islands, Bourne, and Falmouth), Mount Hope Bay, and the Sakonnet River.

Swansea was named for the Welsh city of Swansea, which had been the hometown of some original settlers. John Miles, the founder of the first Baptist Church in Wales, moved to Swansea c. 1662. William Brenton had purchased the land from Native Americans. Parts of its territory were originally part of Rehoboth, Massachusetts.

In 1667 the first Baptist church in Massachusetts relocated to Swansea from Rehoboth after experiencing religious intolerance there, and Swansea was incorporated as an independent town. Initially, the town established a committee to assign rank of 1, 2, or 3 to the residents with the first getting 3 acres of land, the second 2, and the third 1. The committee could promote and demote residents as it saw fit. The system collapsed in 1681 when the committee voted to make five residents the highest rank and to make the rank hereditary. The town unanimously voted to abolish the system.

The town has a total area of 25.5 square miles (66 km2), of which 23.1 square miles (60 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2), or 9.67%, is water. The town is bordered by Dighton on the northeast, Somerset on the east, Mount Hope Bay on the south, Warren, Rhode Island, on the southwest, Barrington, Rhode Island, on the west, and Seekonk and Rehoboth to the north. Part of the town's border with Somerset is made up of the Lees River. The Cole, Kickamuit and Palmer rivers also pass through the town on their way south to Mount Hope Bay (for the Kickamuit, Cole, and Lees rivers) and Narragansett Bay (for the Palmer). The entire town is a part of the Narragansett Bay watershed area. The town's neighborhoods include Barneyville, North Swansea, Swansea Village, Birch Swamp Corner, Hortonville, Luther Corner, South Swansea, Touissett, Ocean Grove, and Smokerise. Swansea is 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Providence and 47 miles (76 km) south of Boston.

Much of the town's retail businesses are located along the highways, with the area around the junction of U.S. Route 6 and Massachusetts Route 118 where the former Swansea Mall was located. Just north of the mall are several office complexes), doctor's offices, and other offices. The area along Route 103 between the Lees River and the Cole River is also an area for retail, with many smaller businesses lining the road. Outside of the retail area (as well as the densely populated neighborhoods of Ocean Grove, South Swansea, and Smokerise), much of the area is rural.

Swansea places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Swansea Total Fitness provides a fully equipped gym and various fitness classes to keep you in shape. At Southcoast Health Family Medicine and Charlton Memorial - Hospital offer a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. At the Swansea Council on Aging, you can join the free low to moderate cardio-based workouts on Wednesdays. For a more relaxing experience, visit Spa Light, renowned for its massages and saunas. Yoga enthusiasts can participate in the restorative sessions offered by Sea Me Rise. For a unique combination of yoga and sound healing, check out the sessions at Swansea Town Beach.

Top sites in Swansea, MA are Battleship Cove, Touisset Country Club, and Seekonk Speedway.

Population: 17,375 (2023). ZIP code: 02777. Area codes: 508, 774. Elevation: 7 m (22 ft). Area: 25.5 sq mi (66.1 km2).

FAQs

Is Swansea MA a good place to live?

Swansea is a charming seaside community located in Bristol County, Massachusetts. It offers residents plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities like apple picking at Buttonwood Farm or hiking at Bluff Point State Park where there are stunning views of Narragansett Bay from atop its bluffs. For those looking for something more low-key, there are numerous small businesses including antique shops art galleries cafes B&Bs, and gift shops along Swansea's main road where you can find everything from ice cream to homemade pies! Large metro area set in the coastal plains and woodlands of New England. Primary industries include healthcare and education.

What is Swansea MA famous for?

What is now Barrington, Rhode Island (part of Massachusetts until 1747) was separated from the rest of Swansea in 1717, over religious differences. In the late 1890s, trolleys connected the town to Providence, Fall River, and Taunton, and the town has retained a suburban residential feel. Today Swansea is well known for its retail areas.

Is Swansea, MA an expensive place to live?

Swansea is ranked 48 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. The cost of living in Swansea is 110.5% of the national average. The median household income in Swansea is $0, which is % less than that of the state. The median income for an individual is $0, which is % less than that of the state. The average rent in the Swansea (located in Providence-Warwick -MA Metro) metro area for a 2-bed home is $2,257, which is 53% more than the average rent across the US. The median home price in Swansea is $385,000 with a median price per sqft of $323.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Swansea

Best Places

Zero Down

Battleship Cove

Touisset Country Club

Seekonk Speedway

Swansea Total Fitness

Southcoast Health Family Medicine

Charlton Memorial - Hospital

Spa Light

Sea Me Rise

Swansea Town Beach

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