RANK #616 / 1001 NAT · #6 / 12 MA · POP 535,075
1YR FORECAST: +1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Plymouth County, Massachusetts, is defined by its coastal character and historical significance, notably the town of Plymouth, where the Pilgrims landed in 1620. Located south of Boston, many towns in the county offer convenient commuter rail and bus services to the city, typically around a 40-mile drive. The region blends quaint New England charm with access to natural beauty, including miles of coastline, numerous ponds, and extensive parklands like Myles Standish State Forest. These areas provide opportunities for hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, and whale watching. Duxbury and Hingham are among the notable towns, recognized for their strong communities and highly-regarded public schools.
Life in Plymouth County often appeals to families and those seeking a coastal lifestyle with a connection to history. The economy, historically reliant on tourism and residential development, is undergoing a shift. While the county has benefited from residential growth, there is a recognized need to diversify the tax base beyond housing. Efforts are underway to attract new businesses and foster innovation, particularly in emerging technologies and the marine economy, also known as the "blue economy." This includes exploring aquaculture and leveraging the county's coastal assets.
Plymouth County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +3.1% runs above the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 20.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Plymouth Parking Management Plan & Garage Feasibility
Plymouth Growth & Development Corporation (PGDC)
|
$515M | Planned |
|
Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station Decommissioning Site Redevelopment (1600 Acre Area Plan)
Holtec International (owner), Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC (operator)
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Cranberry Point Energy Storage
Plus Power
|
$150M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 38/100, Plymouth County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $114,201 combined with job growth of +1.2% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Plymouth County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $556,000 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,747/month on average.
Plymouth County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.2% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +3.1% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.27% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Plymouth County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.