Halifax, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Halifax, Massachusetts
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West Monponsett Pond
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Location in Plymouth County, Massachusetts
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Plymouth | |
| Settled | 1670 | |
| Incorporated | 1734 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 17.3 sq mi (44.9 km2) | |
| • Land | 16.2 sq mi (41.8 km2) | |
| • Water | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2) | |
| Elevation | 90 ft (27 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,749 | |
| • Density | 447.9/sq mi (172.58/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP code |
02338
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| Area code(s) | 339 / 781 | |
| FIPS code | 25-27795 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618340 | |
| Website | www.halifax-ma.org | |
Halifax is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. It is a part of the greater Boston area. In 2020, about 7,749 people lived there.
Contents
History of Halifax
Halifax was first settled by Europeans in 1669. The Bosworth family from England was among the first settlers. The town grew thanks to its lumber and farming industries.
In 1734, Halifax officially became its own town. It was separated from the nearby town of Plympton. The town was named after Halifax in West Yorkshire, England.
Long ago, people thought about building a canal. This canal would connect Buzzards Bay and Massachusetts Bay. The idea was to link the Taunton River to the North River in 1795. However, this plan never happened.
Even without the canal, Halifax continued to grow. Its sawmills became very busy. Cranberry farming also became important. Iron factories and a wool mill also operated in the town.
In the 1800s, the railroad came to Halifax. This made it easier for people from cities to visit. They could enjoy the beautiful shores of Silver Lake and the Monponsett Ponds. Today, Halifax is mostly a residential town. It has a small shopping area in the town center.
Geography and Nature
Halifax is located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. It covers about 17.3 square miles (44.9 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but about 1.2 square miles (3.1 square kilometers) is water.
The town is surrounded by several other towns. To the north is Hanson. Pembroke is to the northeast. Plympton is to the southeast. To the southwest is Middleborough. Finally, Bridgewater and East Bridgewater are to the west.
Halifax is about 12 miles (19 km) west of Plymouth. It is also about 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Brockton. Boston is about 33 miles (53 km) south-southeast of Halifax.
Water Bodies in Halifax
Water plays a big role in Halifax's geography. The town is on the western side of Silver Lake. Other important water areas include Robbins Pond, Indian Trail Reservoir, and Burrage Pond. These are in the western part of town.
Near the center of town are the East and West Monponsett Ponds. These two ponds are very close, separated by a narrow strip of land. This strip is only about 150 feet (46 meters) wide in some places. Part of Route 58 runs along this strip.
The Taunton River forms part of the town's border with Bridgewater. Several smaller rivers and brooks flow from the Taunton River into Halifax. These include the Winnetuxet River.
Halifax also has large swamp areas. Great Cedar Swamp is to the west of the Monponsett Ponds. Peterson Swamp is to the east. The town shares a small conservation area with Plympton. It also shares the larger Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area with Hanson. These areas help protect nature.
Population Information
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 784 | — |
| 1860 | 766 | −2.3% |
| 1870 | 619 | −19.2% |
| 1880 | 542 | −12.4% |
| 1890 | 562 | +3.7% |
| 1900 | 522 | −7.1% |
| 1910 | 550 | +5.4% |
| 1920 | 563 | +2.4% |
| 1930 | 728 | +29.3% |
| 1940 | 867 | +19.1% |
| 1950 | 944 | +8.9% |
| 1960 | 1,599 | +69.4% |
| 1970 | 3,537 | +121.2% |
| 1980 | 5,513 | +55.9% |
| 1990 | 6,526 | +18.4% |
| 2000 | 7,500 | +14.9% |
| 2010 | 7,518 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 7,749 | +3.1% |
| 2022* | 7,698 | −0.7% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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In 2020, the population of Halifax was 7,749 people. The town has grown quite a bit over the years. For example, in 1850, only 784 people lived there. By 1970, the population had grown to over 3,500 people. This shows how the town has changed and expanded over time.
Education System
Halifax is part of the Silver Lake Regional School District. This district also includes the towns of Plympton and Kingston. Each of these three towns has its own elementary school.
Students in Halifax attend Halifax Elementary School. This school teaches students from kindergarten up to sixth grade. It is located in the town center, near the library and fire station.
After elementary school, students from Halifax go to Silver Lake Regional Middle School. Then, they attend Silver Lake Regional High School. Both of these schools are located in Kingston. The high school also has a special program for vocational training. This means students can learn skills for specific jobs. There are no private schools in Halifax. The closest ones are in Kingston and Bridgewater.
Transportation Options
There are two main roads that go through Halifax. These are Route 58 and Route 106. They meet just east of the town center. Route 58 actually crosses over the Monponsett Ponds.
Another road, Route 36, starts near the eastern side of East Monponsett Pond. It connects with Route 106 there. Also, Route 105 ends about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of where Routes 58 and 106 meet.
Public Transport and Air Travel
The Kingston-Route 3 commuter rail line passes through Halifax. This train service is run by the MBTA. There is a train station in Halifax, just west of Route 36. This train can take you to Kingston, Plymouth, and South Station in Boston.
Halifax does not have its own airport. However, small seaplanes can land on East Monponsett Pond. There is a small private airstrip called Cranland Airport in the nearby town of Hanson. For bigger flights, the closest regional airport is Plymouth Municipal Airport. For national and international flights, people use Logan International Airport in Boston.
Media
- The Patriot Ledger
- The Halifax/Plympton Reporter
- Plympton-Halifax Express
Notable People
- Joshua Cushman, a congressman
- Alexander Parris, an architect
- Warren G. Phillips, an educator and author
See also
In Spanish: Halifax (Massachusetts) para niños
