📍 Location & Geography
Rockland is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The town is located approximately 20 miles south of Boston and 12 miles northeast of Plymouth. It is bordered by Weymouth to the north, Abington to the west, Whitman to the southwest, and Hanover to the east. Rockland covers a total area of 10.1 square miles, of which 10.0 square miles is land and 0.1 square miles is water.
🌎 Coordinates
The geographical coordinates of Rockland, Massachusetts are approximately 42.1307° N latitude and 70.9162° W longitude.
🗺️ Region & Area
Rockland is part of the South Shore region of Massachusetts, an area that stretches south and east from Boston toward Cape Cod along the shores of Massachusetts Bay and Cape Cod Bay. The town is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area.
👥 Population & Demographics
As of the 2010 census, Rockland had a population of 17,489. The racial makeup of the town was 95.3% White, 1.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population. The median age was 40.5 years.
🏛️ History
Rockland was settled by European colonists in 1673 and was incorporated as a separate town in 1874, having previously been a part of Abington. The town’s early economy was based on shipbuilding and shoe manufacturing, but it has since transitioned to a more diverse mix of businesses and industries.
🏞️ Nature & Environment
Rockland is home to several parks and outdoor spaces. The Rockland Town Forest offers trails for hiking and nature observation. Hartsuff Park is a popular spot for picnicking, sports, and swimming. The town also has several smaller parks and playgrounds scattered throughout its neighborhoods.
🏫 Education
Rockland Public Schools serves the town, with Jefferson Elementary School, Memorial Park Elementary School, John W. Rogers Middle School, and Rockland Senior High School making up the district. Rockland also has a private school, Calvary Chapel Academy, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
🚧 Transportation
Rockland is served by several major highways, including U.S. Route 123 and Massachusetts Route 139. The town is also accessible via the MBTA Commuter Rail’s Kingston/Plymouth Line at the nearby Abington station. The Brockton Area Transit Authority provides bus service to Rockland.
📜 Trivia & Events
Rockland holds an annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which is one of the largest in the South Shore area. The town is also known for its Rockland Day event, a community celebration featuring fireworks, live music, and family-friendly activities. Rockland is the birthplace of illustrator and author Edward Gorey, famous for his macabre-themed children’s books.