Town · Massachusetts
Scituate, Massachusetts
Scituate, town, in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Scituate had 19,662 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 19,063 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 19,365 (±25). GEOID 2502360330.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,662
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,063 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,365 ±25
Median household income
$136,732
±$15,903 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$847,600
±$25,135 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,609
±$311 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Scituate and what county is it in?
Scituate is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. It covers 17.2 square miles of land, 1,107 residents per square mile in 2020.
2 places lie inside Scituate: Scituate (CDP, 5,620 in 2020) and North Scituate (CDP, 5,414 in 2020).
Scituate is in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Scituate, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 19,662 people lived in Scituate on July 1, 2025, up 3.1% since 2020, faster than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 19,063 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 19,365 (±25).
| Measure | Scituate | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,365±25 | 535,075 | +645 |
| Households | 7,705±360 | 203,141 | +471 |
| Average household size | 2.49±0.12 | 2.58 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,416±387 | 218,096 | no clear change |
Scituate's population since 2000
From 17,863 in 2000 to 19,662 in 2025: up 10.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Scituate as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Scituate?
The median resident of Scituate is 47.1 years old; 22.2% are under 18 and 22.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.0%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 2.4%. 5.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Scituate | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.1±3.1 | 43.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.2%±1.9 pts | 20.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.2%±2.0 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Male | 46.0%±2.2 pts | 48.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1%±0.7 pts | 4.9% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.0%±2.7 pts | 76.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±1.7 pts | 1.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.8 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±1.7 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.3%±1.8 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.5%±1.9 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.9%±1.3 pts | 5.7% | – |
| With a disability | 6.7%±1.4 pts | 11.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 2.5% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 97.7%±1.8 pts | 93.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 66.8%±3.6 pts | 41.8% | +6.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 26.7%±2.8 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.2%±3.2 pts | 91.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Scituate earn?
Half of Scituate's 7,705 households earn less than $136,732 a year (±$15,903), against $114,201 in Plymouth County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 the median was $158,592 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $21,860 after inflation. 2.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Scituate | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $136,732±$15,903 | $114,201 | −$21,860 |
| Mean household income | $212,618±$20,518 | $151,136 | – |
| Per capita income | $84,308±$7,529 | $57,650 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 2.9%±0.8 pts | 7.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.5%±2.5 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.9%±2.2 pts | 95.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.5%±2.2 pts | 92.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Scituate?
Owners occupy 87.8% of Scituate's occupied homes and renters 12.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $847,600 by its owner (±$25,135). The median renter pays $1,609 a month including utilities, and 40.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Scituate | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $847,600±$25,135 | $556,000 | +$117,183 |
| Median gross rent | $1,609±$311 | $1,747 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.4%±14.0 pts | 45.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,692±$130 | $2,799 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 87.8%±2.9 pts | 77.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 12.2%±2.9 pts | 22.4% | – |
| Housing units | 8,416±387 | 218,096 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.9%±5.0 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 85.7%±2.3 pts | 69.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3%±1.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.0%±2.2 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.0%±3.9 pts | 21.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.9%±1.0 pts | 6.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Scituate building?
Builders took permits for 22 new housing units in Scituate in 2025 (22 in single-family houses), 1.1 per 1,000 residents against 1.7 across Massachusetts.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Scituate work and get to work?
59.2% of Scituate's workers drive alone and 28.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 38.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Scituate | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.1%±2.8 pts | 66.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±1.4 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 59.2%±5.0 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 2.7%±1.7 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 7.4%±2.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Walked | 2.0%±1.2 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 28.0%±3.8 pts | 16.2% | +17.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 38.1 min±2.8 | 32.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Scituate?
5 census tracts lie mostly in Scituate (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $119,938 (Tract 5052.02) to $192,863 (Tract 5051.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 5051.02Plymouth County | 5,568 | $192,863 |
| Tract 5052.02Plymouth County | 4,693 | $119,938 |
| Tract 5051.04Plymouth County | 4,033 | $136,743 |
| Tract 5051.03Plymouth County | 2,956 | $132,761 |
| Tract 5052.01Plymouth County | 2,115 | $142,950 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Scituate) · Census block assignment files
How does Scituate compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Scituate is the 599th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 33rd-most populous of 266 in Massachusetts.
Scituate ranks 119th of 453 places in Massachusetts with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 33rd | 266 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 70th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 169th | 461 |
| Median household income | 119th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 56th | 460 |
| Median home value | 60th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 200th | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 312th | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 74th | 459 |
| Median age | 170th | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 97th | 460 |
| Work from home | 71st | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 20th | 459 |
Scituate's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Scituate with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Scituate?
11 of the 57 figures for Scituate on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Scituate are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.