Raynham, Massachusetts

Raynham, Massachusetts
Name	Raynham, Massachusetts
Settlement type	Town
Pushpin label	Raynham
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Massachusetts
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Bristol
Established title	Settled
Established date	1652
Established title1	Incorporated
Established date1	1731
Government type	Open town meeting
Area total km2	54.0
Area total sq mi	20.8
Area land km2	52.5
Area land sq mi	20.3
Area water km2	1.5
Area water sq mi	0.6
Elevation m	18
Elevation ft	59
Population total	15646
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	Eastern (EST)
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	02767
Area code	508 / 774
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	25-56060
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0618345
Website	www.town.raynham.ma.us

Raynham, Massachusetts. Raynham is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, part of the Greater Boston region. Originally settled as part of the larger Taunton purchase, it was incorporated in 1731 and developed through agriculture and later industry. Today, it is a residential community known for its commercial developments along U.S. Route 44 and its historical sites.

History

The area was originally inhabited by the Wampanoag people and was part of the Taunton Purchase of 1637. Settlement by English colonists began around 1652, with the land being used primarily for farming and as part of Taunton. The town was officially incorporated in 1731, named after Raynham Hall in Norfolk, England. During the American Revolutionary War, local forges produced materials for the Continental Army. The 19th century saw the growth of industries like the King Iron Works and the Raynham Tack Factory, which utilized power from the Taunton River. The town was also the site of the Raynham Dog Track, a prominent greyhound racing venue that operated for decades before closing in the 21st century.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 20.8 square miles. It is bordered by Taunton to the south, Bridgewater to the north, Easton to the northwest, and Norton to the west. The Taunton River flows along the town's southern boundary. Significant water bodies include the Forge River and Lake Nippenicket. Major transportation routes include Interstate 495, Massachusetts Route 24, and U.S. Route 44, which runs east-west through the commercial center of town. The Hockomock Swamp, a large wetland, lies partially within its borders.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 15,646. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with growing communities of African American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The median household income has historically been above the average for Massachusetts. Housing is primarily single-family homes, with some apartment complexes and the Raynham Park development. Population growth has been steady, influenced by its proximity to major employment centers like Boston and Providence.

Government

Raynham employs an Open town meeting form of government, led by a Board of Selectmen and a professional Town Administrator. The town provides standard municipal services through departments like the Raynham Police Department and the Raynham Fire Department. It is part of the Massachusetts House of Representatives's 2nd Bristol district and the Massachusetts Senate's Bristol and Norfolk district. For federal representation, it lies within Massachusetts's 4th congressional district. The town also operates under the Massachusetts General Laws and has its own Raynham Water District.

Education

Public education is managed by the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District, which operates the Raynham Middle School and the Merrill Elementary School. High school students attend Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School in neighboring Bridgewater. The district is overseen by a regional School Committee. There are also private options, such as the St. Ann's School in nearby Raynham Center. The town is served by the Raynham Public Library, which is part of the SAILS Library Network.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with Raynham include Horace H. Fuller, a United States Army Major General in World War II; John L. Bates, the 41st Governor of Massachusetts; and Molly Ockett, a noted 18th-century Abenaki healer and guide. Bobby Byrne, a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and others, was also born here. More recently, Joe Lauzon, a competitor in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, hails from the town.

Category:Towns in Massachusetts Category:Towns in Bristol County, Massachusetts Category:1731 establishments in Massachusetts