Pembroke is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 16,927 at the 2000 census.

The southwestern section of Pembroke is also known as Bryantville.

History

The earliest European settlers were Robert Barker and Dolor Davis, who settled in the vicinity of Herring Brook in 1650. Up until that time, the Wampanoag were the only residents, fishing and farming along the rivers. The area was once a part of Duxbury, before incorporating as a separate town in 1712, and was named for the town of Pembroke, Wales. The town took its current form in 1820, when the western half of town was separated and incorporated as Hanson. Shipbuilding was among the area's industries, with five yards along the North River. Famous among these were the Beaver, a vessel made famous for its role in the Boston Tea Party, and the Maria, memorialized on the Pembroke town seal. It was along the same river, on the Norwell side, that the Columbia, namesake of the Columbia River in Oregon, was launched. By the turn of the twentieth century, mills had sprung up along the river, and the town's ponds and streams provided the water for cranberry bogs. Because of rail service from Brockton, the town's ponds also provided recreation and vacation spots for city dwellers. Today, Pembroke, is mostly a suburban community, with many residents working in nearby Plymouth, Brockton or even Boston.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.5 square miles (60.8 km²), of which, 21.8 square miles (56.6 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.2 km²) of it (6.95%) is water. Statistically, Pembroke is slightly smaller than the state average in terms of land area. Pembroke is bordered by Norwell to the north, Marshfield to the northeast, Duxbury to the east, Kingston to the southeast, Plympton to the south, Halifax to the southwest, Hanson to the west, and Hanover to the northwest. Pembroke is approximately twelve miles east of Brockton, thirteen miles northwest of Plymouth, and twenty-seven miles southeast of Boston.

Pembroke's geography can be divided in half. The northern half is dominated by the rivers and streams of the area, flowing through thick forests which once provided the lumber for the North River's shipbuilding industry. The southern half is dominated by several ponds and Silver Lake, where the towns of Pembroke, Kingston, Plympton and Halifax come together. The town has its own forest, which is divided into sections around town.

One notable water resource in Pembroke is Great Sandy Bottom Pond, the water of which is currently leased to the Abington-Rockland Water Commission. A website displays many pictures of the plants and animals of the area.

Transportation

Massachusetts Route 3 passes through the town's northeast corner, skirting the irregular border with Marshfield. There is an exit off of Route 3 in the town, which also grants access to Marshfield along Route 139. The town's other state routes include Routes 14, 27, 36, 53 and 139. Route 14 is in the town the longest, and passes through the town center. Route 36's northern terminus is at Route 14 just south of the town center.

There is no rail or air service in the town. The Kingston-Route 3 line of the MBTA's commuter rail service passes just to the southeast of town, with the nearest stops being in Hanson and Halifax. Two small airfields are nearby: Cranland Airport in Hanson and Marshfield Municipal Airport. The nearest national and international air service is at Logan International Airport in Boston.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,927 people, 5,750 households, and 4,553 families residing in the town. The population density was 774.9 people per square mile (299.2/km²). Statistically, the town's population and population density is slightly smaller than average, just below both averages. There were 5,897 housing units at an average density of 270.0/sq mi (104.3/km²).

There were 5,750 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.7% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the town the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $65,050, and the median income for a family was $74,985. Males had a median income of $50,778 versus $36,581 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,066. About 3.7% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

On the national level, Pembroke is a part of Massachusetts's 10th congressional district, and is currently represented by Bill Delahunt. The state's senior (Class I) member of the United States Senate, re-elected in 2006, is Ted Kennedy. The junior (Class II) Senator, up for re-election in 2008, is John Kerry.

On the state level, Pembroke is represented in the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a part of the Sixth Plymouth district, which includes the towns of Duxbury, Hanson and portions of Halifax. The town is represented in the Massachusetts Senate as a part of the Plymouth and Barnstable District, which includes Bourne, Falmouth, Kingston, Plymouth, Plympton, Sandwich and a small portion of Barnstable. The town is patrolled by the First (Norwell) Barracks of Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police.

Pembroke is governed by the open town meeting form of government, and is led by an executive secretary and a board of selectmen. Pembroke operates its own police and fire departments, with four stations located in the town center, Bryantville, North Pembroke and at Brimstone Corner. The town has its own emergency services; South Shore Hospital in Weymouth and Jordan Hospital in Plymouth are the nearest hospitals; the Pembroke hospital serves psychiatric patients in the area. There are post offices at the town center, Bryantville and North Pembroke. The Pembroke Public Library is located at the town center, and is a part of the Southeast Area Internet Library Services (SAILS) network. There are also two small branch libraries, the Lydia Drake Library near Brimstone Corner and the Cobb Library in Bryantville.

Education

Pembroke was formerly a part of the Silver Lake Regional School District, along with Kingston, Halifax and Plympton. It separated from the other towns to re-establish its own school district for its growing population. The town has three elementary schools (Bryantville, Hobomock and North Pembroke), which serve students from kindergarten through sixth grades (North Pembroke also serves pre-kindergarten classes). The Pembroke Community Middle School, located in the former Silver Lake Regional Junior High School on Route 27, serves seventh and eighth grade students. Pembroke High School is located in the former Silver Lake Regional Junior High School building on Learning Lane, and serves students from ninth through twelfth grade. Pembroke's athletics teams are known as the Titans (complete with a logo reminiscent of the Tennessee Titans logo), and their colors are blue and red. They compete in the Patriot League, where the teams have already garnered six championships since 2004. Pembroke has established a Thanksgiving Day football rivalry with previously mentioned Silver Lake High School. The town is also supportive to many arts programs, including The Pembroke Imperials Drum and Bugle Corps.

The town has no contract with any vocational schools; there are, however private schools in the surrounding communities. The nearest college is Massasoit Community College, with Bridgewater State College near as well.

Notable residents

• Ben Edlund, creator of The Tick
• Eric Flaim, speed skater
• Alexander Parris, architect
• Kevin Stevens, Hockey Player
• Dave Shea, former Boston Bruins play-by-play announcer
• Paul Cahalane, former writer for Sports Illustrated