📍 Location & Geography
Stoughton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is located approximately 17 miles south of Boston and is part of the Greater Boston area. Stoughton covers a total area of 16.26 square miles, of which 16.0 square miles is land and 0.26 square miles is water. The town is bordered by Canton to the north, Randolph to the northeast, Avon and Brockton to the east, Easton to the south, and Sharon to the west.
🌎 Coordinates
The geographic coordinates of Stoughton, Massachusetts are approximately 42.1251° N latitude and 71.1023° W longitude.
🗺️ Region & Area
Stoughton is part of the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is situated in the eastern part of Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Stoughton is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a major part of the Greater Boston area.
👥 Population & Demographics
As of the 2020 census, Stoughton has a population of approximately 28,431 residents. The town is diverse, with a mix of different races and ethnicities. The population is spread out, with a median age of 43.6 years. The gender makeup of the town is approximately 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
🏛️ History
Stoughton was first settled in 1713 and was officially incorporated in 1726. It was named after William Stoughton, who was the first chief justice of Colonial Courts and the notorious chief justice of the Salem Witch Trials. The town was once the site of several shoe factories, many of which were owned by local residents. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Stoughton transitioned from a rural farming community to a suburban residential community.
🏞️ Nature & Environment
Stoughton is home to several parks and recreational areas, including Halloran Park, Bird Street Sanctuary, and Ames Long Pond. The town is also near the Blue Hills Reservation, a 7,000-acre state park with hiking trails and scenic views. Stoughton takes pride in its commitment to environmental sustainability and has initiatives in place to preserve its natural resources.
🏫 Education
Stoughton Public Schools serves the town, with several elementary schools, O’Donnell Middle School, and Stoughton High School. The town also has a public library, the Stoughton Public Library, which offers a variety of resources and programs for residents of all ages. For higher education, Massasoit Community College’s Canton campus is located nearby.
🚧 Transportation
Stoughton is served by several major highways, including Massachusetts Route 24 and Route 139. The town is also accessible via the MBTA Commuter Rail’s Providence/Stoughton Line, with a station in downtown Stoughton. Additionally, the town is within a reasonable driving distance to Logan International Airport in Boston for air travel.
📜 Trivia & Events
Stoughton is known for its annual Stoughton Day, a community event that celebrates the town’s history and culture with food, music, and activities. The town is also home to the Stoughton Historical Society, which preserves the town’s rich history. Stoughton is also notable for its Norwegian heritage, as it hosts an annual Norwegian Constitution Day parade, the largest such event in the world outside Norway.