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Taunton, MA

Taunton, Massachusetts
City
War Memorials on Taunton Green
War Memorials on Taunton Green
Flag of Taunton, Massachusetts
Flag
Official seal of Taunton, Massachusetts
Seal
Nickname(s): The Silver City, The Christmas City
Motto: Dux Femina Facti (Latin)
"A woman led the deed."
Location in Bristol County, Massachusetts
Location in Bristol County, Massachusetts
Taunton, Massachusetts is located in the US
Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton, Massachusetts
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 41°54′00″N 71°05′25″W / 41.90000°N 71.09028°W / 41.90000; -71.09028Coordinates: 41°54′00″N 71°05′25″W / 41.90000°N 71.09028°W / 41.90000; -71.09028
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Bristol
Settled 1637
Incorporated (Town) 1639
Incorporated (City) 1864
Government
 • Type Mayor-City Council
 • Mayor Thomas Hoye, Jr.
Area
 • Total 48.4 sq mi (125.4 km2)
 • Land 46.7 sq mi (121.0 km2)
 • Water 1.7 sq mi (4.4 km2)
Elevation 30 ft (9 m)
Population (2014)
 • Total 55,874
 • Density 1,196/sq mi (461.8/km2)
 • Demonym Tauntonian
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 02718, 02780, 02783
Area code(s) 508 / 774
FIPS code 25-69170
GNIS feature ID 0613154
Website www.taunton-ma.gov

Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of Boston, 18 miles (29 km) east of Providence, 10 miles (16 km) north of Fall River, 20 miles (32 km) north of New Bedford, and 25 miles (40 km) west of Plymouth. It is the seat of Bristol County. Taunton is situated on the Taunton River which winds its way through the city on its way to Mount Hope Bay, 10 miles (16 km) to the south. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 55,874. The current mayor is Thomas Hoye, Jr.

Founded in 1637 by members of the Plymouth Colony, Taunton is one of the oldest towns in the United States. The Native Americans called the region Cohannet, Tetiquet and Titicut before the arrival of the Europeans. Taunton is also known as the "Silver City", as it was an historic center of the silver industry beginning in the 19th century when companies such as Reed & Barton, F. B. Rogers, Poole Silver, and others produced fine-quality silver goods in the city.

Since December 1914, the city of Taunton has provided a large annual light display each December on Taunton Green, giving it the additional nickname of "Christmas City".

The original boundaries of Taunton included the land now occupied by many surrounding towns, including Norton, Easton, Mansfield, Dighton, Raynham, Berkley, and Lakeville. Possession of the latter is still noted by the naming of Taunton Hill in Assonet.


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