40-618: Norwell is a town in Plymouth County , Massachusetts , United States. The population was 11,351 at the 2020 United States census . The town's southeastern border runs along the North River . Norwell was first settled in 1634 as a part of the settlement of Satuit (later Scituate ), which encompassed present-day Scituate and Norwell. It was officially created in 1849 and soon became known as South Scituate. The town changed its name by ballot to Norwell in 1888, after Henry Norwell,
80-579: A dry goods merchant who provided funds for the maintenance of the town roads. Early settlers were attracted to Norwell for agricultural reasons, with the town later developing a major shipbuilding industry, based on the North and Northwest rivers. Shipbuilding was a major industry in the 18th through the early 19th centuries. Some of the finest frigates, schooners, whalers, and merchant vessels were produced in Norwell. The Norwell Village Area Historic District
120-556: A given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such as the American Community Survey . This allows the calculation of per capita income for both the country as a whole and specific regions or demographic groups. However, comparing per capita income across different countries is often difficult, since methodologies, definitions and data quality can vary greatly. Since
160-517: A median income of $ 45,535 versus $ 31,389 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 24,789. About 4.90% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line , including 8.30% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over. The leading ancestry group in Plymouth County is Irish, with 31%. Plymouth County, along with Norfolk County, Massachusetts , claims the highest percentage of people with Irish ancestry in
200-626: A new police headquarters building was added to the Fire Department Headquarters, originally built in 1999, on Route 53 on the west side of town. Emergency Communications have been consolidated with the towns of Hingham, Cohasset, and Hull in Hingham. Norwell has an emergency services division within the Fire Department; all emergency room visits are brought to South Shore Hospital. The town has its own post office, at
240-630: A part of the Plymouth and Norfolk district , which includes Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Scituate, and Weymouth. The town is home to the First Barracks of Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police . Norwell is governed on the local level by the open town meeting form of government, and is led by a Town Administrator and a board of selectmen . The town operates its own police and fire departments. In 2015
280-473: Is Marshfield Municipal Airport ; the nearest national and international service is at Logan International Airport in Boston. Norwell began construction of "pathways" in 2015. These mixed-use pedestrian and cycling paths are designed to connect the high school, middle school, and the town center. They are intended, according to the former town planner, to allow residents and students to travel without walking on
320-476: Is Massasoit Community College in Brockton. Massachusetts Route 3 passes through Norwell twice, across the southern portion of the town and another short portion near the west of the town. There are no exits in the town off this freeway, but there are exits, 13 and 14, between the two portions and just north of the second portion. Both exits access routes that immediately enter the town. The major route through
360-669: Is a county in the U.S. state of Massachusetts , south of Boston . As of the 2020 census , the population was 530,819. Its county seats are Plymouth and Brockton . In 1685, the county was created by the Plymouth General Court , the legislature of Plymouth Colony , predating its annexation by the Massachusetts Bay Colony . Plymouth County is part of the Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH Metropolitan Statistical Area . According to
400-496: Is in the center of the town. Today, Norwell is an affluent residential community with over 10,000 residents that has modern schools, shopping, churches, libraries, health facilities, a wildlife preserve, and other support facilities as well as three industrial parks. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has an area of 21.2 square miles (55 km), of which 20.9 square miles (54 km)
440-572: Is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km), or 1.37%, is water. Some 30% to 38% of the town is wetlands. Located on the South Shore of Massachusetts, Norwell is bordered by Hanover and Rockland on the west, Pembroke on the south, Marshfield and Scituate on the east and northeast, and Hingham on the north. Norwell is about 14 miles (23 km) east of Brockton , 17 miles (27 km) north of Plymouth and 20 miles (32 km) south of Boston . Much of Norwell's eastern border lies along
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#1732790896194480-736: The 2000 census there were 472,972 people, 168,361 households, and 122,398 families in the county. The population density was 716 inhabitants per square mile (276/km ). There were 181,524 housing units at an average density of 275 per square mile (106/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 88.70% White , 4.56% Black or African American , 0.21% Native American , 0.92% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 3.06% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. 2.44%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.0% were of Irish , 12.8% Italian , 10.6% English and 5.1% American ancestry , 90.1% spoke English , 2.5% Spanish , 2.3% Portuguese , 1.5% French Creole and 1.0% French as their first language. Of
520-403: The North River , where many shipbuilding companies once stood. There are many other brooks and ponds in the town, including Third Herring Brook, which constitutes much of the town's border with Hanover, Accord Pond at the junction of Norwell, Rockland and Hingham, and Jacobs Pond , along Route 123 . The northern half of the town is hilly, and the southern end of Wompatuck State Park juts into
560-508: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,093 square miles (2,830 km ), of which 659 square miles (1,710 km ) is land and 434 square miles (1,120 km ) (40%) is water. It is the third-largest county in Massachusetts by total area. The towns of Hingham and Hull in Plymouth County extend north of Norfolk County and face onto Massachusetts Bay , sharing a northern water boundary with Suffolk County . At
600-699: The United States Senate , elected in 2013, is Ed Markey . The senior ( Class I ) senator, elected in 2012, is Elizabeth Warren . On the state level, Norwell is represented in the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a part of the Fifth Plymouth district by David DeCoste, which includes the neighboring towns of Hanover and Rockland. The town is represented in the Massachusetts Senate by Patrick O'Connor as
640-407: The 168,361 households 36.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 22.20% of households were one person and 9.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.23. The age distribution was 26.80% under
680-451: The 1990s, the OECD has conducted regular surveys among its 38 member countries using a standardized methodology and set of questions. Per capita income is often used to measure a sector's average income and compare the wealth of different populations. Per capita income is also often used to measure a country's standard of living . When used to compare income levels of different countries, it
720-658: The Florida Regionals in March 2015 in addition to other awards in the past few seasons. Norwell is also known for its extremely successful math team and award-winning theater company, the Fourth Wall Players. Norwell girls' lacrosse is well known on the South Shore, having won three Division II state championships. Norwell's girls soccer team and boys soccer team also perform consistently well, with
760-597: The United States. At the 2010 census , there were 494,919 people, 181,126 households, and 127,925 families in the county. The population density was 750.9 inhabitants per square mile (289.9/km ). There were 200,161 housing units at an average density of 303.7 per square mile (117.3/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 85.5% white, 7.2% black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 3.2% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.2% of
800-421: The age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males. The median household income was $ 55,615 and the median family income was $ 65,554 (these figures had risen to $ 70,335 and $ 82,560 respectively as of a 2007 estimate ). Males had
840-403: The average family size was 3.27. In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males. The median income for a household in the town
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#1732790896194880-659: The boys team finishing as finalists in the Division III state tournament in 2017, and the girls soccer team winning their first Division III Massachusetts state title in November 2018. In 2021, both the Girls and Boys soccer teams won the Division III state championship title. There are no private schools in the town. High school students have the option of attending South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School in neighboring Hanover free of charge. The nearest college
920-555: The chain was sold to GateHouse Media in 2006. The flagship of the group was the Old Colony Memorial , the oldest continually published weekly newspaper in New England, first published in 1822. 41°59′N 70°44′W / 41.99°N 70.74°W / 41.99; -70.74 Per capita income Per capita income ( PCI ) or average income measures the average income earned per person in
960-545: The closest a Republican has come to winning a county in Massachusetts since 1988. However, it has become more Democratic afterwards, and in 2020 , Joe Biden carried the county by 17 points, the largest margin of victory for a Democrat since 1996 . The seal was adopted by the Plymouth County Commissioners on March 31, 1931, under the authority of the General Laws, Chapter 34, Section 14, and
1000-529: The district for school use. Norwell High School is a competitive school, known for its academic excellence. Norwell High's teams are known as the Clippers, and their colors are blue and gold. The school's major rival is Hanover High School, whom the football team plays in their annual Thanksgiving Day game. At the high school, Norwell is very well known nationwide for their FIRST robotics team 348, which consistently performs well and won second place overall at
1040-401: The late 19th to the mid 20th centuries, Plymouth County was a Republican Party stronghold in presidential elections. From 1876 to 1988, only three Democrats carried the county: Lyndon Johnson , Hubert Humphrey , and Jimmy Carter . Since 1992, however, it has become solidly Democratic, though less so relative to other counties in the state. In 2012 , Mitt Romney lost the county by 4.2 points,
1080-759: The list are reflective if the census designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns. Data is from the 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Plymouth County is governed by three County Commissioners: Chairman Jared L. Valanzola ( R - Plymouth ) , Commissioner Sandra M. Wright ( R - Bridgewater ), and Commissioner Gregory M. Hanley ( D - Abington ) Other county elected officials include Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, jr. ( R - Kingston ), District Attorney Timothy Cruz ( R - Marshfield ), Treasurer Thomas J. O'Brien ( D - Plymouth ), Register of Deeds John R. Buckley, jr. ( D - Scituate ), Register of Probate Matthew McDonough ( D - Marshfield ), and Clerk of Courts Robert Creedon ( D - Brockton ) From
1120-519: The necessary appropriations to build part of it. The pathway stretches from South Street to the town center near the state police barracks. Norwell residents can now walk along the forested pathway or the less frequented, traditional sidewalk along Main Street. Main Street remains the only road in town for which taxpayers have provided funding for both a pathway on one side and a sidewalk on the other. Plymouth County, Massachusetts Plymouth County
1160-407: The population. There were 3,250 households, out of which 42.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.6% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.6% were non-families. 14.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and
1200-445: The population. In terms of ancestry, 33.7% were Irish , 15.8% were Italian , 15.3% were English , 7.3% were German , and 3.7% were American . Of the 181,126 households, 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 23.8% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size
1240-410: The side of Norwell's busiest roads. "Pathway" planning in Norwell has not been without controversy between town boards and residents. After a successful ten-taxpayer lawsuit that prohibited the use of Community Preservation funds from building what one town official called, instead of a sidewalk, a "pathwalk," along Norwell's busiest road (Route 123) only 600' parallel north of the pathway, voters approved
Norwell, Massachusetts - Misplaced Pages Continue
1280-669: The town is Route 123 , which passes from east to west through the town, just before its end at Route 3A in Scituate. Routes 53 and 228 also pass through the town, with 228 ending just over the town line in Rockland at its intersection with Route 3. Norwell has no rail or air service. The nearest rail service is the Greenbush line of the MBTA 's commuter rail in Scituate, one mile from the Norwell town line. The nearest regional airport
1320-601: The town of Marshfield . The Brockton Enterprise is the only daily newspaper published in the county, although the Quincy Patriot Ledger has extensive coverage of the South Shore of Massachusetts generally and Plymouth County in particular. There are numerous weekly newspapers published in the county, including: Many were operated by the Memorial Press Group , based in Plymouth, until
1360-690: The town's center. There are three libraries in the town, two of them independent. The Norwell Public Library, temporarily relocated to Route 53 in Hanover while a new facility is under construction behind the high school near Assinippi, belongs to the Old Colony Library Network (OCLN). The James Library and Center for the Arts is near the town center, and is associated with the First Parish Church of Norwell. The James Library
1400-512: The town. As of the census of 2000, there were 9,765 people, 3,250 households, and 2,710 families residing in the town. The population density was 467.8 inhabitants per square mile (180.6/km). There were 3,318 housing units at an average density of 158.9 per square mile (61.4/km). The racial makeup of the town was 97.58% White , 0.37% African American , 0.05% Native American , 1.16% Asian , 0.16% from other races , and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of
1440-571: The western part of town and the William G. Vinal Elementary School in the east. The Norwell Middle School, near the Town Hall on Route 123, serves grades 6 to 8. It has two teams (sets of teachers) for each grade: Orange (6th), Purple (6th), Green (7th), Gold (7th), Red (8th) and Blue (8th). Norwell High School is near Assinippi and serves students from ninth through twelfth grade. All high school and middle school students are provided with iPads by
1480-494: Was $ 113,944, and the median income for a family was $ 122,222. Males had a median income of $ 66,406 versus $ 40,625 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 48,440. About 1.4% of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over. On the national level, Norwell is a part of Massachusetts's 9th congressional district , represented by Bill Keating . The state's junior ( Class II ) member of
1520-495: Was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.18. The median age was 41.1 years. The median household income was $ 73,131 and the median family income was $ 86,251. Males had a median income of $ 60,303 versus $ 43,837 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 33,333. About 5.0% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over. The ranking of unincorporated communities that are included on
1560-530: Was designed by Frederic T. Bailey of North Scituate who was, at that time and for many years, chairman of the county commissioners. For television, the city is served by the Boston and Providence media markets; no television stations are located within the county. Radio stations located in Plymouth County include: The first radio broadcast in history was made in 1906, from the Brant Rock neighborhood in
1600-530: Was founded by Josiah Leavitt James of Chicago, a former resident of South Scituate, who was persuaded by William Hamilton Fish, minister of First Parish Church, to fund a town library. The South Shore Natural Science Center, next to Jacobs Pond, also has a small nature library. Norwell has a school department for its approximately 2,200 students. There are two elementary schools for students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade—the Grace F. Cole Elementary School in
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