West Bridgewater, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
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West Bridgewater Town Hall
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| Nickname(s):
WB
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Location in Plymouth County in Massachusetts
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Plymouth | |
| Settled | 1651 | |
| Incorporated | 1822 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 15.7 sq mi (40.6 km2) | |
| • Land | 15.3 sq mi (39.7 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km2) | |
| Elevation | 65 ft (20 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,707 | |
| • Density | 491.7/sq mi (189.83/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP code |
02379
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| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 | |
| FIPS code | 25-75260 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618354 | |
West Bridgewater is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. In 2020, about 7,707 people lived there. It is a friendly community with a rich history and beautiful natural areas.
Contents
History of West Bridgewater
West Bridgewater was first settled in 1651. Back then, it was part of a larger area called Olde Bridgewater. The town officially became its own separate town in 1822. It was the second of three towns to split from Bridgewater.
Like many towns in the area, West Bridgewater started with both farming and factories. The Town River was important because it provided water power for mills and helped with farming.
The town is home to the Keith House, built in 1662. This is the oldest church house (parsonage) still standing in the U.S. West Bridgewater is also thought to be where the first industrial park in the U.S. was located. Today, this area is the Town Park. The original Ames Shovel Works, a factory that made shovels, was once here. Now, West Bridgewater is mostly a place where people live.
Geography and Nature
West Bridgewater covers about 40.6 square kilometers (15.7 square miles). Most of this is land, with a small part being water. The town is the 238th largest out of 351 communities in Massachusetts by land area.
West Bridgewater is surrounded by other towns:
- To the north: Brockton
- To the east: East Bridgewater
- To the south: Bridgewater
- To the west: Easton
A very small part of the town's southwestern corner also touches Raynham. West Bridgewater's town center is about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Brockton and 25 miles (40 km) south of Boston.
Natural Features
West Bridgewater is on the edge of the Hockomock Swamp. A big part of the town's southwest corner is covered by this swamp and its wildlife area. This means there are many cool plants and animals living there!
The town also has several other protected natural areas, parks, and a large pond surrounded by a state forest. The Town River flows through the southern part of town, and the Salisbury River is in the northeastern corner. These rivers branch into smaller streams throughout the town.
Getting Around West Bridgewater
Several main roads pass through West Bridgewater. Massachusetts Route 24 goes through the western part of town. You can get off Route 24 at Route 106. Route 106 crosses the town from east to west and meets Route 28 in the town center.
Public Transportation
The Middleborough/Lakeville Line of the MBTA's commuter rail goes through West Bridgewater. This train connects towns like Middleborough and Lakeville to South Station in Boston. There are no train stops directly in West Bridgewater, but you can find stops in nearby Bridgewater and the Campello area of Brockton.
There are no airports in West Bridgewater. Small airports are in nearby Taunton and Mansfield. For bigger flights, the closest major airport is Logan International Airport in Boston.
Bloom Bus Lines offers bus service for commuters. These buses travel between Taunton, West Bridgewater, and Boston.
Population and People
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 1,447 | — |
| 1860 | 1,846 | +27.6% |
| 1870 | 1,803 | −2.3% |
| 1880 | 1,665 | −7.7% |
| 1890 | 1,917 | +15.1% |
| 1900 | 1,711 | −10.7% |
| 1910 | 2,231 | +30.4% |
| 1920 | 2,908 | +30.3% |
| 1930 | 3,206 | +10.2% |
| 1940 | 3,247 | +1.3% |
| 1950 | 4,059 | +25.0% |
| 1960 | 5,061 | +24.7% |
| 1970 | 6,070 | +19.9% |
| 1980 | 6,359 | +4.8% |
| 1990 | 6,389 | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 6,634 | +3.8% |
| 2010 | 6,916 | +4.3% |
| 2020 | 7,707 | +11.4% |
| 2022* | 7,625 | −1.1% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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In 2000, there were 6,634 people living in West Bridgewater. Most people were White (96.40%), with smaller numbers of African American, Native American, Asian, and other races. About 1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average family size was about three people. The median age in the town was 40 years old. This means half the people were younger than 40 and half were older.
Education in West Bridgewater
West Bridgewater has its own school system for about 1,220 students.
- The Spring Street School teaches pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students.
- The Rose L. MacDonald School is for students in first, second, and third grades.
- The Howard School serves students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades.
- The West Bridgewater Middle-Senior High School teaches students from seventh to twelfth grades.
The sports teams at West Bridgewater Middle-Senior High School are called the Wildcats, and their colors are maroon and white. The football team plays against Holbrook-Avon on Thanksgiving Day.
Other School Choices
Students can also choose to attend Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School in South Easton for free. This school teaches job skills.
West Bridgewater is also home to the New England Baptist Academy, which is a private Christian school for all grades. There are other private schools in nearby Bridgewater and Brockton.
For higher education, the closest colleges are:
- Massasoit Community College in Brockton
- Stonehill College in Easton
- Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater
Notable People from West Bridgewater
Many interesting people have come from West Bridgewater:
- Cyrus Alger (1781–1856): An inventor who owned the factory that made the first rifled gun in America.
- Spike Feresten: A talk show host, and a writer for famous TV shows like Late Show with David Letterman and Seinfeld. He wrote the well-known "Soup Nazi" episode of Seinfeld.
- Wally Feresten: He works behind the scenes for Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Seth Meyers, helping with cue cards.
- Jack Gallagher: A nationally known comedian, TV host, and playwright.
- Hastings Keith (1915–2005): He was a United States Representative from Massachusetts.
- John Davidson (1941-): An actor, singer, and game show host.
See also
In Spanish: West Bridgewater (Massachusetts) para niños
