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Taunton, MA

Frequently asked questions

Taunton, MA

Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County. Taunton is situated on the Taunton River which winds its way through the city on its way to Mount Hope Bay, 10 miles (16 km) to the south. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 59,408. Shaunna O'Connell is the mayor of Taunton.

Founded in 1637 by members of the Plymouth Colony, Taunton is one of the oldest towns in the United States. The Native Americans called the region Cohannet, Tetiquet, and Titicut before the arrival of the Europeans. Taunton is also known as the "Silver City", as it was a historic center of the silver industry beginning in the 19th century when companies such as Reed & Barton, F. B. Rogers, Poole Silver, and others produced fine-quality silver goods in the city.

Since December 1914, the city of Taunton has provided a large annual light display each December on Taunton Green, giving it the additional nickname of Christmas City.

The original boundaries of Taunton included the land now occupied by many surrounding towns, including Norton, Easton, Mansfield, Dighton, Raynham, Berkley, and Lakeville. Possession of the latter is still noted by the naming of Taunton Hill in Assonet.

Taunton was founded by settlers from England and officially incorporated as a town on September 3, 1639. Most of the town's settlers were originally from Taunton in Somerset, England, which led early settlers to name the settlement after that town. At the time of Taunton's incorporation, they explained their choice of name as being "in honor and love to our dear native country." Before 1640, the Taunton area was called Cohannet, Tetiquet or Titiquet.

The English founders of Taunton purchased the land from the Nemasket Natives in 1637 as part of the Tetiquet Purchase and the remaining native families were relocated to the praying town of Ponkapoag in present-day Canton, Massachusetts. Elizabeth Poole, contrary to local folklore, did not take part in the town purchase but was among its greatest benefactors and played a significant role in the founding of its church. Described as "the foundress of Taunton" and its matriarch, Poole "was accorded equality of rights, whether in the purchase of lands, [or] in the sharing of iron works holdings," having been a financier of the settlement's first dam and mill built for the manufacture of bar iron. Plymouth Colony was formally divided into counties on June 2, 1685, with Taunton becoming the shire town of Bristol County. The counties of Plymouth Colony were transferred to the Province of Massachusetts Bay on the arrival of its charter and governor on May 14, 1692. The Taunton area has been the site of skirmishes and battles during various conflicts, including King Philip's War and the American Revolution. Taunton was re-incorporated as a city on May 11, 1864.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 48.4 square miles (125.4 km2), of which 46.4 square miles (120.1 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), or 3.53%, is water. It is the third-largest city by area in Massachusetts, after Boston and Barnstable.

Taunton has one major river, the Taunton River, along with its tributaries, including the Mill River and the Three Mile River. The highest point in the city is near its southwest corner, with an elevation of 207 feet (63 m) above sea level. Prospect Hill, rising over Lake Sabbatia north of the downtown, has an elevation of 197 feet (60 m).

The city places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Morton Hospital in Taunton is a 144-bed acute care community hospital serving patients and families in southeastern Massachusetts. For meditation, Open Doors Yoga Studios offers yoga classes. Start your day with a workout at Planet Fitness, a well-equipped gym offering a range of fitness equipment and classes. For a more relaxed approach, visit Anchor Barre to engage in yoga and meditation sessions that enhance mental and physical well-being. Bristol Total Fitness provides comprehensive fitness programs, including personal training and group classes. Silver City Dance Center and Spotlight Dance Studio provide dance classes for all ages, focusing on fitness through dance.
 

Top Sites in Taunton, MA are Massasoit State Park, Old Colony History Museum, Forrest's Family Fun Center, and Fore Kicks III Indoor and Outdoor Sports Complex.

Population: 59,922 (2022). ZIP Codes: 02780, 02783, 02718. Area: 125.4 km². Area code: 508 / 774. Elevation: 30 ft (9 m).
 

FAQs

Is Taunton MA a good place to live?

Taunton is a suburb of Boston with a population of 59,436. Taunton is in Bristol County. Living in Taunton offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Taunton, there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families live in Taunton and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Taunton are above average.

What is Taunton, Massachusetts famous for?

Founded in 1637 by members of the Plymouth Colony, Taunton is one of the oldest towns in the United States. The Native Americans called the region Cohannet, Tetiquet, and Titicut before the arrival of the Europeans. Taunton is also known as the Silver City, as it was a historic center of the silver industry beginning in the 19th century when companies such as Reed and Barton, F. B. Rogers, Poole Silver, and others produced fine-quality silver goods in the city.

What is the crime rate in Taunton, MA?

The crime rate in Taunton is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 14 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Taunton is 1 in 71. Based on FBI crime data, Taunton is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Massachusetts, Taunton has a crime rate that is higher than 84% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

City of Taunton

Wikipedia

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

Massasoit State Park 

Old Colony History Museum 

Forrest's Family Fun Center 

Fore Kicks III Indoor and Outdoor Sports Complex

Morton Hospital

Open Doors Yoga Studios

Planet Fitness

Anchor Barre

Bristol Total Fitness

Silver City Dance Center

Spotlight Dance Studio

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