Page Contents for Taunton, Massachusetts

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Massachusetts state capital is Boston.
The population of Taunton is approximately 56,251 (2005), 55874 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 22,908 (2000), 22332 (2010).
The amount of land area in Taunton is 120.733 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Taunton is 46.60 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 3.497 sq kilometers.
The distance from Taunton to Washington DC is 385 miles.
The distance to the Massachusetts state capital is 30 miles. (as the crow flies)
Taunton is positioned 41.90 degrees north of the equator and 71.09 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Taunton elevation is 10-100 feet above sea level.
Taunton per capita income is $ 19,899 (2000).
Taunton median income is $ 42,932 (2000).
The Taunton median home price is $ 145,800 (2000).

Location

in southeastern Massachusetts about Boston. Other nearby communities include Raynham, Berkley, Raynham Center, Dighton, Norton Center, Norton, Easton and West Bridgewater.

Here is a location page for Taunton.
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Geography

that of rolling hills.
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Weather

seasonal. Here is a current weather page for Taunton.
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History & History Related Items

The area was first known as Cohannet and the land was purchased from the local Wampanoag Tribe. Taunton was founded by a woman, Elizabeth Pole in 1637. It was formally incorporated as a town on 3 September 1639. The name came from the fact that most of the residents were from Taunton in Somerset, England. It was incorporated as a city on 11 May 1864.

Taunton was probably the first in the 13 colonies, to fly their own flag, in opposition to the British. It was known as the Taunton Flag, and was first flown on October 21, 1774, atop a tall pole located on Taunton Green. It consisted of a small replica of the British flag in the upper left corner, had a red field, and the words Liberty and Union in the color white, sewn to the lower right portion of the field. This flag was an act of open and direct opposition to the British, who were located mainly in Boston, but who did have sympathizers here in Taunton.

Taunton was once known as the Silver City due to the time when such companies as F. B. Rogers manufactured silver goods in the city. The nickname of Christmas City was used and still is used due to the celebrations held on the Taunton Green each holiday season.
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Attractions

The Vietnam Memorial Fountain was the first public Vietnam memorial in Massachusetts

Myles Standish Industrial Park
This Industrial Park is located in the northwest section of the City. 71 companies, including General Dynamics and Bell Atlantic provide a wide variety of employment opportunities for almost 5,000 residents of Southeastern Massachusetts and Northern Rhode Island.
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Taunton City Government

City of Taunton
15 Summer Street
Taunton, Massachusetts 02780

Taunton has a Mayor-Council form of government. It is also the county seat of Bristol County.

Taunton Chamber

Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce
Serving the communities of Taunton, Raynham, Dighton & Berkley
12 Taunton Green, Suite 201
Taunton, Massachusetts 02780
Phone: 508-824-4068

Taunton Organizations

Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce
Serving the communities of Taunton, Raynham, Dighton & Berkley
12 Taunton Green, Suite 201
Taunton, Massachusetts 02780
Phone: 508-824-4068

Taunton Libraries

Taunton Public Library
12 Pleasant Street
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508-821-1410

Taunton Schools

Taunton Public Schools
50 Williams Street
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508-821-1100 <

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HIGHER EDUCATION

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Bristol Community College Taunton

Miscellany

The population of Taunton was:
1990 - 49,832
2000 - 55,976
2005 - 56,251

Taunton is the largest city in the state in terms of square miles. It is located in the Eastern Time Zone.