Plymouth is about more than the Pilgrims! The land that is now Plymouth was inhabited by Indigenous people for thousands of years prior to the Pilgrims’ arrival in 1620. The town was named Plymouth after a city in England. Plymouth is known for being the site of the first Thanksgiving and the town’s nickname is “America’s Hometown”. Plymouth is a nice place to live, with quaint stores, cool attractions, and beautiful homes. Before you start deciding about moving to Plymouth, here’s a comprehensive guide, including demographics, neighborhoods, things to do, and restaurants.
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Where Is Plymouth MA?
Plymouth Massachusetts is in Plymouth County and is part of the Greater Boston and the Boston metropolitan statistical areas. Bourne, Wareham, Carver, and Kingston border Plymouth. Plymouth has the largest land area of any town in Massachusetts. It has coastline along the Cape Cod Bay, which gives the town many beaches and small ponds. But it also contains well-developed residential neighborhoods and commercial centers. It is 40 miles from Plymouth MA to Boston MA.
The Greater Attleboro and Taunton Railway Authority (GATRA) runs several routes between Plymouth and various towns in southern Massachusetts. The Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway provides bus shuttles to Logan International Airport, South Station, and the Hyannis Transportation Center.
Plymouth Massachusetts Population and Demographics
The Plymouth population is 62,131. Between 2010 and 2020, the population grew by 7.7%. The town has a population density of 634.8 people per square mile. Plymouth is the largest town in Plymouth County. Famous residents include comedian and activist Dick Gregory, television personality Raab Himself, and baseball player Gary DiSarcina.
Is Plymouth safe? Yes! Plymouth experiences 1,402 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 2.9% higher than the state but 40% below the national average. The violent crime rate is 288 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 7% below the state average and 26% below the national average. The property crime rate is 1,114 offenses per 100,000 people, a rate that is 6% higher than the state yet 43% lower than the national average. The Plymouth Police Department employs 128 officers.
The demographics of Plymouth Massachusetts are:
- Percentage of female and male residents: 50.8% female, 49.2% male
- Median age: 48.7 years
- Racial composition: 92.4% White, 3.8% two or more races, 2.7% Hispanic or Latino, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
- Median household income: $97,256, nearly $9,000 higher than the state median
- Educational attainment: 95.4% of residents 25 years or older have graduated high school, 41.7% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 5.3%
Cost of Living in Plymouth MA
To calculate the cost of living in Plymouth, we’ve used estimates for the Boston metro area. The cost of living index in the Boston metro area is 153.2, meaning living in Boston costs 53.2% more than the national average. This makes Plymouth MA an expensive place to live in.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to make $112,438 a year to live in Plymouth County. The biggest expense is child care at $25,294 a year.
According to Redfin, the median sale price of Plymouth MA homes for sale is $539,000, while the average rent in Plymouth MA is $2,666 a month.
Typical Plymouth MA Expenses
- 1 gallon of milk: $4.12
- 1 pound of cheese: $7.76
- 1 pound of apples: $2.23
- 1 head of lettuce: $2.11
- 1 gallon of gasoline $3.74
- 1 pair of jeans: $52.60
- Average utilities in Plymouth per month: $183.55
Source: Numbeo (statistics are for Boston MA)
Plymouth MA Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Plymouth MA
Plymouth has a few dozen neighborhoods spread throughout the town. Most neighborhoods have high populations of retirees and older professionals, but you can find great Plymouth MA communities for families and younger people.
Downtown Plymouth | Bustling Neighborhood for Couples and Young Professionals
Downtown Plymouth (also called Plymouth Center) is the main neighborhood in the town. The town hall, town harbor, and Plymouth Rock are all located within the community. You can also find many Plymouth restaurants and access Route 3, which connects to Boston and Cape Cod.
Downtown Plymouth is mostly settled, but a few homes and condos are available for purchase. Most homes for sale in Plymouth MA are small, making them good for couples or groups of young people moving in together. You can buy a two-bedroom home at less than 1,500 square feet for less than $800,000.
The Pinehills | Newly Established Developed Community With Options for Housing
The Pinehills is a developed community and census-designated place in southern Plymouth MA. The community is designed to mimic an old-fashioned New England village with quaint homes and small stores. Prices for homes in the Pinehills vary depending on the size, style, and location. You can also buy plots of land for less than $500,000, letting you customize the properties you want.
Plymouth Beach | Peaceful and Beautiful Village
Plymouth Beach is just south of Downtown Plymouth, and it is less crowded and noisy. The actual beach is walkable, and you can go birdwatching on it. Plymouth Beach consists of a small village adjacent to the beach. Homes are waterfront properties facing toward Warren Cove, giving you picturesque views. The village is very small, so properties are not always available. Talk to a realtor so you can explore your options for houses for sale in Plymouth MA.
Plymouth MA Weather and Climate
The climate of Plymouth is humid continental with hot and humid summers and cold and windy winters. The average high temperature in the summer is above 72 degrees Fahrenheit while the average low in the winter is below 31 degrees.
Plymouth is a very cloudy town. September is the clearest month of the year, yet 38% of days are at least mostly cloudy. Plymouth gets more than 50 inches of rain a year. Plymouth MA receives an average of more than one foot of snow every year. September is the best time to visit Plymouth and start moving to Plymouth MA due to its relatively clear skies and mild temperatures.
Plymouth MA residents can experience blizzards that produce more than a foot of snow in one or two days. Blizzards can also cause high winds and hail, which can lead to power outages and road closures.
Things to Do in Plymouth MA
As a tourist town, you can find many family-friendly and affordable Plymouth MA attractions. Colony Place is an outdoor shopping mall with dozens of stores and eateries. Village Landing Marketplace is reserved for locally owned businesses, including specialty shops.
Plimoth Patuxet
Plimoth Patuxet (formerly known as Plimoth Plantation) is an outdoor museum about the Pilgrims and the Indigenous tribes of Cape Cod. You and your children can interact with locals playing characters and learn about life in the 1620s.
Plimoth Patuxet, 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360 508-746-1622
Pilgrim Hall Museum
The Pilgrim Hall Museum is the oldest museum in America, established in 1824. You and your children can view 17th-century artifacts, including home goods and works of art made by the Pilgrims and Wampanoag.
Pilgrim Hall Museum, 75 Court Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 508-746-1620
National Monument to the Forefathers
The National Monument to the Forefathers is a monument dedicated to the Pilgrims. It is the world’s largest solid granite monument, and it is a great place to take photographs and relax while walking through Plymouth MA.
National Monument to the Forefathers, 72 Allerton Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 508-747-5360
Additional Attractions in Plymouth MA
The Plymouth Recreation Department manages public parks, playgrounds, and baseball fields in Plymouth. The department sponsors classes with kids, birthday parties, and other public events for people living in Plymouth, like holiday light shows. You can see when these events will occur using the town’s events calendar.
Restaurants Plymouth MA
Plymouth restaurants are about more than fried clams! The best restaurants in Plymouth offer family-friendly meals in relaxing environments.
Tavern on the Wharf
Tavern on the Wharf is an American restaurant with incredible views of the water. You can order a range of seafood dishes and cocktails, wine, and beer.
Tavern on the Wharf, 6 Town Wharf, Plymouth, MA 02360 508-927-4961
The Blueberry Muffin
The Blueberry Muffin is a casual breakfast cafe that serves classic dishes like omelets and French toast. The cafe has a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, and it offers kid-friendly choices like Mickey Mouse pancakes.
The Blueberry Muffin, 2240 State Road, Plymouth, MA 02360 508-888-9444
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse offers freshly cooked meats such as chicken, sirloin, and short ribs. The restaurant has a long alcohol list with cocktails, whiskeys, and sangrias.
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse, 318 Court Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 508-830-6802
Jobs in Plymouth Massachusetts
The largest sectors in Plymouth MA are sales, food preparation, and education. According to Payscale, wages rose by 2.3% during the fourth quarter of 2022. Many small businesses in Plymouth Massachusetts cater to tourists. The summer brings many people to the Cape to go to the beach, so business can get slower during the winter.
The largest employers in Plymouth are Starbucks, Best Buy, and McDonald’s. You can find jobs in Plymouth MA, using Indeed, LinkedIn, and other job boards. The town of Plymouth is currently looking for workers for a number of public projects, including maintenance and construction work.
Plymouth MA Schools
Plymouth Public Schools serves Plymouth students. Plymouth North High School is well-known for its vocational programs, including engineering technology and marketing education. Plymouth South High School also offers vocational training, and students can participate in various athletic activities.
Quincy College has a campus in Plymouth. Quincy is a community college with open admission, allowing anyone with a high school diploma to earn an associate’s degree. If you want to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree, Curry College also has a Plymouth campus. Programs include accounting, criminal justice, and nursing.
The Plymouth Public Library offers a collection of books, movies, and audiotapes to rent. It is also a venue for public events and club meetings.
Plymouth Massachusetts Statistics and Information
- County: Plymouth County
- Plymouth Massachusetts area: 134 square miles
- Plymouth MA zip code: 02345, 02360-02362, 02381
- Plymouth MA area code: 508 and 774
- Plymouth Massachusetts elevation: 187 feet
- Plymouth MA time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Closest airport to Plymouth Massachusetts: Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM), five miles from downtown Plymouth
Plymouth MA Map
You can find additional schools, cool points of interest, and delicious restaurants with this map!
Plymouth may be America’s Hometown, but it’s also a peaceful place with successful stores and exciting excursions. When you’re ready to start living in Plymouth, Vanguard Moving Services’ team of Plymouth MA movers can offer you the services you need for moving to Plymouth MA. Get your free moving quote at 508-790-9188.
