There’s an easy way to remember how to pronounce “Scituate.” Scituate is scituated on Massachusetts’ South Shore halfway between Boston and Plymouth.
Or just sound it out like “SIH choo it.”
Scituate is a South Shore community that prides itself on its beautiful coastal setting, charming harbor, and dramatic beaches. Scituate makes the most of its seaside location with five town-operated beaches that attract residents as well as area locals and seasonal visitors. Contact a Jack Conway agent to start your search for homes for sale in Scituate.
Where Is Scituate Located?
Scituate is located 30 miles south of Boston and 30 miles north of Plymouth. Cohasset sits on its northern border and Marshfield sits just to the south. Scituate is bordered on the west by Norwell and Hingham.
Scituate is one of the many South Shore communities that border the Atlantic Ocean. Interestingly, not all the land in Scituate is connected. The town includes the seaside village of Humarock, even though this part of Scituate can only be reached by Marshfield.
Scituate’s geography is notable for another reason: no freeways extend through it. Route 3A does run through the town, but the Route 3 freeway runs through Norwell, miles away from Scituate’s town limits.
What’s Scituate Known For?
Ask a Scituate resident what their town is known for and they very likely will mention Scituate’s beautiful coastline. No less than five beaches are maintained and operated by the town government. These are beaches with designated swimming areas that offer residents the opportunity to cool off in the Atlantic Ocean, stroll along the shoreline, and enjoy lifeguard services and parking facilities.
Humarock Beach is the most dramatic-looking beach with stretches of sand interspersed with areas strewn with multicolored rocks and stones. Officially part of Scituate, Humarock Beach can be reached from Ferry Street in North Marshfield.
Egypt Beach, Sand Hills Beach, Peggotty Beach, and Minot Beach make up the rest of Scituate’s town beaches.
Scituate Harbor ranks as another major part of town, creating an oceanfront town center with shops, restaurants, and surrounding neighborhoods. This mixed-use town center features condos and apartments that front a protected, working harbor that provides moorings for private sailboats and a number of maritime businesses.
Scituate Harbor is a designated cultural district in Massachusetts. This is an official designation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council that makes Scituate eligible for state grants that promote the arts. One such promotional event is the annual Scituate Harbor Art Walk.
What’s It Like to Live in Scituate?
With a 2020 year-round population of about 19,000 people, Scituate is a suburban community with a real maritime feel. Residents share the community with a working fishing fleet, Scituate Lighthouse, and an Irish heritage linked to the development of carrageenan, a compound made from seaweed.
Side note: As related by Smithsonian Magazine, Irish immigrants who settled in Scituate in the mid-1800s started harvesting a type of seaweed known as carrageen, also called Irish moss. Harvesting and processing carrageen grew into a major manufacturing industry that lasted into the 1960s. The industry drew Irish settlers to Scituate and today is one reason why nearly half of Scituate’s population is of Irish descent.
Scituate residents also share their town with seasonal visitors. The summer population increases to about 30,000 thanks to Scituate’s location, beaches, and sheltered harbor.
Scituate has its own public school system that consists of one preschool, one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school.
Scituate residents enjoy robust town services and amenities, including the Scituate Town Library, the Scituate Recreation Department, and Scituate Community TV.
Like many towns in the Boston area, Scituate has a local government that consists of an open town meeting, a board of selectmen, and a town administrator.
