About the Town

The Town of Hingham covers an area of 22.5 square miles and is approximately 15 miles south of Boston. The town's history is reflected in its many immaculately kept antique houses, including the "Old Ordinary" on Lincoln Street, which now houses the Hingham Historical Society Museum. Derby Academy, founded in 1784, is the oldest co-educational school in the country and Hingham's First Parish Old Ship Church is the oldest wooden structure in the country in continuous use as a place of worship. Hingham has created six historic districts which will help the town maintain its unique character in the future.

Hingham is proud of its location on the water, including 21 miles of shoreline and construction of a new harbor park further expands the public use of Hingham Harbor. The acquisition of the South Shore Country Club by the municipality provides additional recreation opportunities for residents while preserving the suburban character of this historic seaside community.

For the 19th time, Hingham has been named "Tree City USA" by the National Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of the Town’s commitment to tree care and planting in 2006.

Hingham resides in Plymouth County.

Sister City and origin of many of Hingham, Ma first settlers: Hingham, Norfolk, England

Location:
Eastern Massachusetts, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Hull on the north, Cohasset and Scituate on the east, Norwell and Rockland on the south, and Weymouth on the west. Hingham is 15 miles southeast of Boston; 16 miles northeast of Brockton; 30 miles north of Plymouth; 42 miles from Providence, Rhode Island; and 218 miles from New York City.
Latitude: 42.22569
Longitude: -70.88878

Street Map of Hingham, MA
Satellite Image of Hingham, MA

Year Incorporated:1635
Total Area: 25.04 sq. miles
Land Area: 22.59 sq. miles
Population: 20,720 (2004)
Density: 882 per sq. mile

Climate:
Normal temperature in January.....27.4°F
Normal temperature in July........71.5°F
Normal annual precipitation.......47.7"

Form of Government:
Board of Selectmen
Town Administrator
Open Town Meeting

Households by Type: (2000 Census)

Employment, Wages and Laborforce Information

Labor Force and Unemployment Data
Time Frame:	2006
Not Seasonally Adjusted Data
Month	Labor Force	Employed	Unemployed	Area Rate	Masschusetts Rate
December	10,688	10,309	379	3.5	4.9
November	10,762	10,362	400	3.7	4.6
October	10,662	10,311	351	3.3	4.2
September	10,584	10,176	408	3.9	5
August	10,697	10,339	358	3.3	4.7
July	10,711	10,355	356	3.3	4.8
June	10,699	10,285	414	3.9	5.1
May	10,484	10,110	374	3.6	4.7
April	10,453	10,089	364	3.5	4.7
March	10,537	10,141	396	3.8	5.4
February	10,553	10,146	407	3.9	5.5
January	10,502	10,132	370	3.5	5.3

Annual	Year	Labor Force	Employed	Unemployed	Unemployment Rate
Average	2005	10,546	10,204	342	3.2
Average	2004	10,587	10,189	398	3.8
Average	2003	10,245	9,800	445	4.3
Average	2002	10,285	9,876	409	4
Average	2001	10,274	10,003	271	2.6
Average	2000	10,175	9,968	207	2
Average	1999	11,153	10,938	215	1.9
Average	1998	11,024	10,803	221	2
Average	1997	10,924	10,628	296	2.7
Average	1996	10,686	10,353	333	3.1
Average	1995	10,494	10,137	357	3.4
Average	1994	10,421	9,982	439	4.2
Average	1993	10,285	9,796	489	4.8
Average	1992	10,277	9,647	630	6.1
Average	1991	10,382	9,761	621	6
Average	1990	10,511	10,063	448	4.3

Income Distribution: (2000 Census)

Registered Voters (as of November, 2002): 14,260

Legislators:
US Senator . . . . . . . . . Edward M. Kennedy
US Senator . . . . . . . . . John F. Kerry
US Congressman . . . . .William Delahunt
State Senator . . . . . . .Robert L. Hedlund
State Rep . . . . . . . . . . Garrett J. Bradley

Median Sales Price :

Public Schools:
Wm. L Foster Elem: K-5
Plymouth River: K-5
South Elem: K-5
Hingham Middle School: 6-8
Hingham High: 9-12

Student Population: 2006-2007
Total students : 3,797

Hingham Schools Profile - Massachusetts Department of Education Demographics, Enrollment, Dropout, MCAS Results, Attendance/Exclusion Rates, more

Transportation:
Hingham is situated in the Greater Boston Area, which has excellent rail, air, and highway facilities. State Route 128 and Interstate Route 495 divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous "spokes" providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston. Principal highways are State Route 3, the Southeastern Expressway connecting Boston to the South Shore and the Cape, and State Routes 3A and 228.

Rail:
Commuter rail service in Hingham is currently under construction. The Greenbush line is nearing completion. The MBTA Red Line (Rapid Transit) is accessible from Braintree and Quincy. Travel time to Park Street station (Downtown Boston) from Quincy Center is approx. 20 mins. The Bay Colony Railroad provides freight rail service to Hingham.

Bus:
Hingham is a member of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
(MBTA). There is fixed route service to Quincy Station. The MBTA also provides
THE RIDE, a paratransit service for the elderly and disabled. The Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway Company provides bus commuter service to Boston.

Other:
Commuter boat service is available from Hingham to Rowes Wharf, Boston, by Boston Harbor Cruises. The Airport Water Shuttle provides transportation to Logan Airport from Rowes Wharf in Boston.

Hingham Public Library:
66 Leavitt St.
(781) 741-1405

Museums:
Old Ordinary
21 Lincoln Street
(781) 749-0013

Recreational Facilities:
Wompatuck State Park (2,877 acres)
bicycling, camping, cross country skiing, general play, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, nature observing, picnicking, sight seeing, snowmobiling, walking/jogging
Bare Cove Park (468 acres)
hiking, bicycling, boating-non motor, hiking, horseback riding, ice skating, motor boating, nature observing, picnicking, sight seeing, walking/jogging
Whitney Woods (320 acres)
hiking, horseback riding, nature observing, picnicking, walking/jogging
Worlds End Reserve (251 acres)
bicycling, cross country skiing, hiking, nature observing, walking/jogging
South Shore Country Club (170 acres)
golf, hiking, pool swimming, tennis
Fulling Mill Pond (162 acres)
boating-non motor, hiking, ice skating, nature observing, picnicking
Town Forest (107 acres)
bicycling, hiking, horseback riding
More Brewer Park (106 acres)
bicycling, cross country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, ice skating, nature observing, natural history, picnicking, walking/jogging

Utilities:
Electric: Hingham Municipal Light Plant
Telephone: Verizon
Gas: Keyspan
Cable TV: Comcast
Sewer: Nut Island STP (MWRA)
Water: Aquarion Water Company of Massachusetts

Public Safety:

Tax Rates: (per thousand)

	FY98	FY99	FY00	FY01	FY02	FY03	FY04	FY05	FY06	FY07
Residential	15.7	14.74	14.61	13.75	11.72	11.47	10.68	9.96	9.20	9.00
Open Space
Commercial	15.7	14.74	14.61	13.75	11.72	11.47	10.68	9.96	9.20	9.00
Industrial	15.7	14.74	14.61	13.75	11.72	11.47	10.68	9.96	9.20	9.00
Personal Property	15.7	14.74	14.61	13.75	11.72	11.47	10.68	9.96	9.20	9.00

Tax Levies: (in thousands)