Last Updated on: 20th July 2023, 04:21 pm
Taunton is an incredibly historical and family-friendly city in southeastern Massachusetts. Also nicknamed “Christmas City” for citywide Christmas activities, other holidays, events, and parades, Taunton MA is known for being one of the oldest U.S. towns and housing the country’s largest American war memorial. It’s no secret that the city is sprawling with natural beauty and a great sense of community. Living in Taunton will give you close access to an abundance of scenic trails and outdoor recreational opportunities, a charming downtown area, art galleries, antique shops, tasty restaurants, and over 100 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Originally a silversmithing and shipbuilding “Silver City”, Taunton was founded in 1637 by members of the Plymouth Colony and incorporated as a town in 1639. Today, there are nine designated historic districts within Taunton Massachusetts. The city has gained the attention of several directors, including Martin Scorses, who used Taunton MA as one of the filming locations for the film Shutter Island (2010). Nonetheless, Taunton MA proves to be a great place to live for those seeking a community immersed in rich history, culture, entertainment, and outdoor activities while providing close access to Boston and Providence.
Where Is Taunton MA Located?
Located in Bristol County, the triangle-shaped city of Taunton is a suburb of Boston in The Greater Taunton Area. Taunton is nestled on the charming Taunton River on the South Coast of Massasscuttets. Regarding Taunton MA directions, the distance from Taunton MA to Boston MA is roughly 40 miles north.
Taunton is bordered by Easton to the north and Berkley and Dighton to the south. Taunton provides easy access to Boston and Providence via car, bus, or train. MBTA Commuter Rail operates the trains in Taunton, whereas Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority operates the buses. As a central highway hub of Massachusetts, Taunton MA is centrally intersected by US 44, MA 138, and MA 140.
Taunton MA Demographics
The Taunton MA population is 59,408, which is distributed over 46.71 miles at a population density of 1,271.9 per square mile. The population has increased by 6.3% in the last decade. The median age in Taunton is 39, whereas 13.3% of residents are foreign-born. 83.5% of the Taunton population have earned a high school diploma or higher, and 22.5% have attained a bachelor’s degree or higher. The Taunton MA median household income is $66,787, which is $22,239 below the state median.
The historical city of Taunton has been called home by several notable people, including American football executive Eric Decosta and U.S. Army general Barry McCaffrey.
The racial demographics in Taunton are somewhat diverse, with Whites making up 74.8% of the population. Hispanics make up 7.7%, Blacks at 6.9%, and Asians at 1.8%. The gender makeup in Taunton is 52.1% female and 47.9% male.
Is Taunton MA safe? According to the FBI, the Taunton crime rate is 893 per 100k population. This is 34.4% lower than the state and 61.9% lower than the country. While violent crime is higher than the state and national average in some areas, property crime in Taunton is at least 54% lower than in the state and country. Overall, Taunton MA is a safe place to live and raise a family.
The city is served by the Taunton Police Department with its sworn officers. Taunton’s Central Fire Station is recognized as the country’s third-oldest functioning fire station.
Cost of Living in Taunton Massachusetts
Is Taunton MA affordable? While it’s nothing out of the ordinary, the cost of living index for Taunton is around 110, or 10% higher than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Bristol County should be making approximately $92,205 to live comfortably. The income tax in Taunton sits at 5.1%, while the sales tax is 6.25%.
Interested in Taunton MA real estate? If you’re moving to Taunton, there are many beautiful Taunton MA homes for sale as well as Taunton MA condos for sale. According to Redfin, Taunton has a median home price of $455,000. Is finding Taunton MA apartments for rent on your to-do list? Rentcafe states that the average monthly apartment rent in Taunton is $1,917 for an 894-square foot.
Taunton MA typical living expenses
Below is LivingCost.org’s list of typical living expenses in Taunton, Massachusetts.
- Average Taunton MA utilities per month: $109.00
- Doctor’s visit: $109.00
- Gallon of gas: $3.79
- Gallon of milk: $4.80
- One dozen eggs: $3.73
Taunton Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Taunton MA
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Taunton is home to many safe and beautifully maintained neighborhoods that are far more safe, more peaceful, and laid back than some neighborhoods in the bigger cities. In addition to the numerous pre-Revolutionary War private homes within the city, Taunton provides everything from apartments to American colonial, contemporary, cottage, and cape single-family homes that date all the way back to the 19th century. With nearly 20 distinct neighborhoods in total, here are three of the best neighborhoods in Taunton, MA:
East Taunton | Lively Taunton MA Neighborhood with Wildlife Areas
This beautiful Taunton neighborhood will bring you close to a series of restaurants, the local airport, and the Massasoit State Park. The custom-built homes, farmhouses, and American-Colonial style homes here have a median price of $449,000.
Oakland | Historic & Most Desirable Neighborhood in Taunton
As one of five primary historic neighborhoods in Taunton, Oakland provides access to several sports complexes, historical estates, the John F. Parker Golf Course, and the Segregansett Country Club. Its central location in the city makes it one of Taunton’s most desirable areas. The median price of homes here is $455,000, whereas many properties consist of single-family, ranches, and American style homes.
North Taunton | Most Affordable Taunton Neighborhood with State Park
Being situated on the city’s northern side, this neighborhood is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Taunton. The majority of houses here consist of single-family, ranches, and American colonial style homes similar to the rest of the city.
Taunton MA Weather & Climate
Curious about Taunton MA weather? Taunton experiences a hot-summer humid continental climate where the winters are cold and snowy with lows of 18°F and warm summers with highs of 83°F. A winter coat is necessary during the 36 inches of annual snowfall, and a raincoat is helpful throughout the 50 inches of annual rainfall in Taunton. On the flip side, your sunglasses will be put to use during the 201 sunny days. With summer as the most comfortable season, the best months to visit Taunton MA are in June, July, and August.
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Things to Do in Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton is home to numerous fun places to go, including wildlife areas, state parks, and 9 designated historic districts. The historic districts in Taunton include Bay Road, Church Green, Bristol County Courthouse Complex, Old Bay Road, Hopewell Mills District, Reed and Barton Complex, Taunton State Hospital, and Taunton Green Historic District – the city’s central square. Once a training ground for the military in the American Revolution, Taunton Green is the district credited for the city’s impressive sculptures dedicated to local veterans as well as an array of Christmas light displays and fun during the holidays.
Taunton Green MA pic.twitter.com/e8Eea9plhC
— 🇺🇸DeniseO'Donnell #🟦 (@eirebabe) December 18, 2014
Whether you’re living in Taunton or a visitor staying at one of the Taunton MA hotels, you’ll have close access to the shopping malls in Taunton, which include Taunton Depot and Cape Roads Plaza. Now, let’s take a look at some of the best things to do in Taunton, MA.
Massasoit State Park
Located in East Taunton, the densely-wooded Massasoit State Park features boating, fishing, camping, swimming, and even old trails for hiking and exploration. There is a pleasant mix of ponds, lakes, and brooks spread throughout the park.
1361 Middleboro Ave, East Taunton, MA 02718, (508) 828-4231
Fore Kicks III Indoor and Outdoor Sports Complex
This sports complex is perfect for getting exercise in Taunton! It features basketball courts, indoor grass fields, outdoor turf fields, an indoor inflatable park, a fitness center, and more!
223 Fremont St, Taunton, MA 02780, (508) 822-4433
Forrest’s Family Fun Center
If you’re looking for a fun place to wear out the kids, this is it! This fun ice skating rink in Taunton has everything from an ice skating rink to a nice arcade area.
1 R Lawton St, Taunton, MA 02780, (508) 824-4866
Additional attractions in Taunton MA
The parks and recreational facilities in Taunton are served by the Taunton Parks & Recreation department. You can check out Taunton MA news via the city’s official website or the Taunton Daily Gazette. Upcoming Taunton MA events can be found on the downtown Taunton official website.
Taunton MA Restaurants
You can expect everything from American to Mexican fare while living in Taunton. Here are a few of the best restaurants in Taunton, Massachusetts:
Kinfolks BBQ
Tasty classic American BBQ restaurant serving pulled pork, ribs, and fried chicken.
289 Winthrop St, Taunton, MA 02780, (774) 409-4615
La Familia
Classic Italian & American eatery featuring a delectable selection of Italian fare.
431 Winthrop St, Taunton, MA 02780, (508) 823-8664
Liberty & Union Ale House
Brick-clad local restaurant with live music, drinks, and delicious food in a family-friendly atmosphere.
16 Trescott St, Taunton, MA 02780, (508) 386-9154
Jobs in Taunton, Massachusetts
Much of Taunton’s economy manufactures silicon, semiconductor, and electronics. In fact, Taunton is the corporate headquarters of many significant corporations in several industries. Taunton is expected to experience 37.5% job growth over the next decade, which is 4% higher than the U.S. average. According to Payscale, the average base salary in Taunton MA is $71,000, while the average hourly rate is $22.74.
A few of the most popular job positions in Taunton include warehouse managers, chief information officers, and human resources, whereas the most popular employers include General Dynamics Mission Systems, General Dynamics C4 Systems, and Martignetti Companies. If you are interested in Taunton MA jobs, try searching online for jobs in and around Taunton Massachusetts. You can also check out the Taunton MA job board.
Taunton MA Schools
The city of Taunton is served by the Taunton Public School District with 7,757 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. Taunton serves 9 public elementary schools, 3 public middle schools, and 2 high schools, including Taunton High School.
If you need a new book, the Taunton Public Library is open six days a week.
Taunton Massachusetts Statistics & Information
- County: Bristol County
- Taunton area: 46.71
- Taunton MA zip code: 02718, 02780, 02783
- Taunton area code: 508 / 774
- Taunton elevation: 30’
- Taunton time zone: Eastern Time Zone (ET)
- Closest airport to Taunton: Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PDV) – 26 miles southwest of Taunton.
Taunton Massachusetts Map
If you’re hoping to start living in Taunton MA, allow our professional Taunton movers to give you a quick and easy relocation! Call Correira Brothers today at 401-648-6683!
