Fourteen Massachusetts cities and towns make up the South Coast of Massachusetts. Not to be confused with the South Shore, this region includes the southern parts of Bristol and Plymouth counties.
The coastal part of the South Coast is largely defined by Buzzards Bay. Wareham, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Dartmouth, and Westport all border this Atlantic Ocean bay.
Homebuyers looking for real estate on the South Coast can explore a region defined by scenic harbors, ocean beaches, and maritime history. Jack Conway has three office locations on the South Coast in Dartmouth, Mattapoisett, and Conway on the Bay in the Wareham village of Onset.
Contact us today to start your South Coast home search.
Explore our South Coast Area Guide.
New Bedford and Fall River
New Bedford and Fall River anchor the South Coast as its two largest cities.
With a population of 101,079 according to the 2020 U.S. Census, New Bedford is the largest South Coast city and the sixth-largest in Massachusetts.
New Bedford grew into a major whaling port in the 1800s. The fishing and seafood industry continues to an important economic activity for the city.
Immortalized in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, New Bedford was the center of the world’s whaling industry in the 1840s, with more than 400 whaling vessels sailing out of the city’s port. Once a leader in the whale oil industry, New Bedford earned the nickname of “The City That Lit the World.”
Today, New Bedford is still lighting the world, but it’s doing it by being a state leader in renewable energy. New Bedford has more than 16 megawatts of solar panels on public property, and it’s doing its part to help Massachusetts move toward a 100 percent sustainable future by 2035.
The tenth-largest city in Massachusetts, Fall River has a 2020 population of 94,000. Once a leading textile center, Fall River is known for its historic downtown waterfront.
Fall River is the home of Battleship Cove, the largest collection of World War II naval vessels in the world.
Here’s a snapshot of the rest of the communities that make up the South Coast.
Acushnet
North of New Bedford, Acushnet is largely a residential community with a population of about 10,600. Its economic claim to fame is the Acushnet Company which owns the Titleist brand of golf equipment. Its golf ball manufacturing plants in Massachusetts are located in Fairhaven, North Dartmouth, and New Bedford.
Dartmouth
Located 60 miles south of Boston and 30 miles east of Providence, Dartmouth is part of the New England Farm Coast, an area known for its beaches, farms stands, art studios, shake shingle and clapboard villages, and enchanting sunlit fields. The town is comprised of historic coastal villages, working farms (many of which are protected), vineyards, and a lively fishing and boating community.
Fairhaven
Fairhaven shares a harbor with New Bedford. The small town’s history and economy is closely aligned with its larger neighbor. Quiet neighborhoods, coastal beauty, magnificent architecture, and easy access to an array of amenities make Fairhaven a desirable location. About 16,000 people live in Fairhaven.
Freetown
Located north of Fall River and about 50 miles from Boston, Freetown is an inland community with riverfront along the Taunton River. About 9,200 people live in Freetown. One of the oldest towns in Massachusetts, Freetown was incorporated in 1683. One of its outdoor amenities is Freetown-Fall River State Forest with more than 50 miles of trails.
Marion
With a population of just over 5,000, Marion is located on Buzzards Bay between Wareham and Mattapoisett. Sippican Harbor separates the town into two parts. Outdoor amenities in this maritime town include beaches, parks, and a quintessential New England town center.
About 6,500 people live in Mattapoisett, known for its waterfront along Mattapoisett Harbor and its most recognizable landmark, Ned’s Point Lighthouse. The town’s scenic harbor looks like a setting in a Winslow Homer painting with its white gazebo, town wharf, and greenery of Shipyard Park.
Rochester
Rural and residential, Rochester lies inland just north of Mattapoisett. In 2012, the town adopted a Right-to-Farm bylaw which promotes agriculturally based economic activities and protects town farmlands by allowing agricultural uses. The community is about 10 miles northeast of New Bedford, 40 miles east of Providence, and 60 miles south of Boston.
Somerset
A waterfront community located 20 miles from New Bedford and Providence and about 50 miles south of Boston, Somerset is a residential suburb bordered by Mount Hope Bay, Narragansett Bay, and the Taunton River. Its 15 miles of waterfront provide fishing, swimming, and boating activities for residents and tourists. About 18,000 people live in Somerset.
Swansea
Located at the mouth of the Taunton River and across Mount Hope Bay from Fall River, Swansea is a suburban town where much of the open land is used for agricultural activities. The Swansea Town Beach is one of the major outdoor amenities for its 17,000 residents.
Wareham
Wareham” by MOTT is
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Located just west of Cape Cod, Wareham’s 54-mile coastline makes it a premier seaside locale. Public beaches, lakes to explore by canoe and kayak, water shuttles, and dockside dining give the town a year-round resort-like vibe. Close proximity to Cape Cod Bay and Martha’s Vineyard make Wareham popular with boaters, young professionals, and those looking to have vacation destinations in their backyard. About 23,000 people live in Wareham.
Westport
This community of about 16,000 borders the Massachusetts-Rhode Island state line. Westport is a Right to Farm Community, although though there are fewer farms since the addition of Route 88. The 35 miles of shoreline at Horseneck Beach State Reservation draws vacationers and summer residents, increasing the town’s population by roughly one-quarter. Westport homes for sale are set in a community with idyllic South Coast charm with roadside farm stands, Nantucket-style homes, and rolling green pastures.
Contact our team of Conway on the Bay real estate agents to start your search for Massachusetts South Coast homes.
