Plymouth County

Plymouth County is an administrative division in southeastern Massachusetts that stretches along the coast of Cape Cod Bay, covering both urban centers and rural towns. The region combines extensive shoreline with wooded inland areas and maintains two administrative seats in Plymouth and Brockton.

The administrative division was created in 1685 and takes its name from the town where European settlers first came ashore in 1620. This early arrival shaped the development of the entire region and made it a starting point for English colonization of New England.

The name honors the first permanent English settlement in New England and appears throughout the region in preserved colonial buildings and local traditions. Visitors encounter seaside towns and fishing communities that maintain their connection to the ocean through working harbors and coastal ways of life.

The administrative seats in Plymouth and Brockton provide access to information and services for visitors seeking to learn about the region. Travelers benefit from exploring both the coastline and inland areas to experience the shift between beaches, woodlands and towns.

Nearly half of the entire area consists of water surfaces, making this one of the most water-rich administrative divisions in the state. This large distribution of bays, rivers and coastal waters shapes the landscape and daily life of many communities.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: 1685

Capital city: Plymouth

Shares border with: Norfolk County, Barnstable County, Bristol County, Dukes County

Website: http://plymouthcounty-ma.gov

GPS coordinates: 41.97888,-70.81895

Latest update: December 12, 2025 08:04