Hingham and the South Shore
Hingham is a coastal town situated on Boston Harbor about 20 miles south of Boston. Located in Plymouth County, it has a population of approximately 24,000 people, and is considered one of the best places to live in Massachusetts by the Niche website.
Hingham Then
First known as Bare Cove, Hingham was settled in 1635, when Peter Hobart and his followers arrived from Hingham, England. By the time of the American Revolution, the population had grown to over 4,000. In the nineteenth century, Hingham became a port of entry and major fishing port with many small businesses such as sawmills, salt works, iron, copper, and brass foundries, cooperages, bucket mills, and ropewalks. Because of these industries, Hingham became closely tied to Boston. In 1849, the railroad was completed and became a major means of transportation to the city.
Hingham Now
By the twentieth century, Hingham became more residential in nature but preserved its classic New England streetscapes (and its town meeting form of government). Today, the town takes great pride in its historical properties, small town feel, and excellent proximity to Boston on the commuter rail or by ferry. Hingham’s population is well-educated, with 76.8% of adults holding Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Top Schools
Hingham prides itself on being a town that values education. Its public school system ranks in the top 5% of all Massachusetts districts and participates in the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (“METCO”) Boston program, which works to eliminate racial imbalance through the busing of students from Boston to participating suburban public schools. Hingham has four public elementary schools districted by neighborhood, one middle school, and one high school of approximately 1,200 students. Private schools, including a Spanish immersion primary school, a Catholic grammar school and girls’ middle and high school, and Derby Academy (which runs through grade 8) offer a wide range of independent educational opportunities as well. The town is also home to a campus of the South Shore Conservatory, Massachusetts’ largest community music school, which offers extensive music lessons and performances.
The Great Outdoors
Outdoor recreation is easily accessible in Hingham and highly valued by residents. The town’s twenty-six square miles includes the majority of Wompatuck State Park, a 4,000-acre park with over 12 miles of bike paths and trails; a town forest with walking trails; World’s End Reservation (251 acres); Bare Cove Park (429 acres), and hundreds of acres of conservation land, as well as three golf courses (public and private), a community sailing and rowing center, a private yacht club, and a harbor and public town beach for water-based activities.
Shopping Districts & Local Traditions
Hingham has an upscale retail shopping center and a vibrant downtown area with local merchants, restaurants, and a Community Center. The town has a strong community spirit, and events like the Fourth of July Parade, Christmas in the Square, and Juneteenth bring the town together steps away from St. John’s front doors.
Diversity
St. John’s parishioners come from all over the South Shore, including neighboring communities of Hull, Cohasset, Norwell, Rockland, and Weymouth. While the racial diversity of these communities is well below the state average, the national census data shows modest increases in the Black, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino populations in the area over the past decade, and as development continues, we anticipate the demographic data will continue to change. In recent years, local organizations have formed to promote inclusivity among all minority populations, including the Hingham Unity Council and South Shore Pride, which supports the LGBTQ+ community.
