Freetown, Massachusetts
Freetown is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,206 at the 2020 census.
Freetown, Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Historic North Church in Assonet | |
Location in Bristol County in Massachusetts | |
| Coordinates: 41°46′22″N 71°1′38″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Bristol |
| Settled | 1659 |
| Incorporated | 1683 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Open town meeting |
| • Board of Selectmen | Trevor R. Matthews (2023) Jared Zager (2024) Carlos Lopes (2025) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 38.3 sq mi (99.2 km2) |
| • Land | 36.6 sq mi (94.8 km2) |
| • Water | 1.7 sq mi (4.4 km2) |
| Elevation | 164 ft (50 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 9,206 |
| • Density | 240/sq mi (93/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP Codes | 02702, 02717 |
| Area code | 508/774 |
| FIPS code | 25-25240 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0619434 |
| Website | www.freetownma.gov |
Freetown is one of the oldest communities in the United States, having been settled by the Pilgrims and their descendants in the latter half of the 17th century. The town once included the city of Fall River (1659–1803), and a portion of Acushnet (1659–1815). The town celebrated its tricentennial in 1983.
Freetown is currently divided into two villages, which historically developed almost entirely independent from one another: Assonet and East Freetown. Freetown lies on an old 18th century road and along old Indian trails from Freetown to Boston. Freetown is home to the Freetown-Fall River State Forest, and Profile Rock and is located approximately 50 miles (80 km) from Boston.
Freetown is a part of the South Coast region of Massachusetts which encompasses the communities that surround Buzzards Bay (excluding the Elizabeth Islands, Bourne and Falmouth), Mount Hope Bay and the Sakonnet River.
Freeown is currently home to two Historic Districts of the National Register of Historic Places: the Assonet Village Historic District, and the East Freetown Historic District.