Brockton, Massachusetts is a city located in Plymouth County with a population of 95,672 as of 2019 according to the Wikipedia page. Brockton is the 7th largest city in Massachusetts and is sometimes referred to as the “City of Champions” due to its history of producing successful boxers.
History
Brockton was first settled in 1664 and was officially incorporated as a town in 1821. It was named after Isaac Brock, a British Army officer who was killed during the War of 1812. Brockton experienced rapid growth during the 19th century due to the shoe and boot industry. By 1920, Brockton had a population of over 66,000 and was one of the largest shoe production centers in the United States.
Geography
Brockton is located approximately 25 miles south of Boston. The city has a total area of 21.6 square miles, of which, 21.1 square miles is land and 0.4 square miles is water. Brockton is bordered by the towns of Avon, Stoughton, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Easton and Abington.
Demographics
As of 2019, Brockton had an estimated population of 95,672. The racial makeup of the city was 44.1% White, 31.8% African American, 0.4% Native American, 3.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 14.0% from other races, and 6.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race made up 10.0% of the population.
In terms of age, 26.9% of residents were under 18, 9.5% were between 18 and 24, 28.7% were between 25 and 44, 22.7% were between 45 and 64, and 12.3% were 65 years or older. The median age was 34.5 years.
The median household income in Brockton was $54,677 and the per capita income was $24,701. About 16.9% of families and 20.4% of individuals were living below the poverty line.
Government
Brockton has a city form of government with a popularly elected mayor and city council. The current mayor of Brockton is Robert F. Sullivan and the city council consists of 11 members from across Brockton’s wards. The city government is located in Brockton City Hall at 45 School Street.
Attractions and Landmarks
Some of the most popular attractions and landmarks in Brockton include:
- The D.W. Field Park which features athletic fields, playgrounds, and walking trails.
- The Brockton Public Library which is a historic building that serves the community.
- The Rocky Marciano statue honoring Brockton’s famous heavyweight boxing champion located at the entrance to Marciano Stadium.
- Brockton High School, the largest high school in New England at 415,000 square feet.
- Fuller Craft Museum showcasing contemporary craft art.
Economy
Although no longer a major shoe and boot producer, Brockton still has a strong manufacturing and industrial presence. Major employers in Brockton include:
- Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital – Provides medical and health services to the community.
- Good Samaritan Medical Center – Another key healthcare provider in the city.
- CSC Brands – A large meat processing company in Brockton.
- Brockton VA Medical Center – Employs over 1,000 people and serves veterans.
- Harvard Engineering and Business – Provides technical training programs.
Many Brockton residents work in the healthcare, education, manufacturing, and service industries. The largest employers are the city’s hospitals and VA Medical Center. Although no longer focused on footwear, companies like CSC Brands provide manufacturing jobs.
Sports
Brockton is home to several minor league and amateur sports teams. Teams include:
- The Brockton Rox baseball team that plays at Campanelli Stadium.
- The Brockton High Boxers sports teams that have won several state championships.
- The Brockton Brewers semi-pro football team that plays at Marciano Stadium.
As the “City of Champions”, Brockton takes pride in its sports heritage and local teams. The city has produced successful athletes in boxing, baseball, football, and more over the decades.
Facebook Page
You can follow Brockton news and events on the City of Brockton Facebook page.