Suburban Massachusetts town with an industrial past and recreation-focused future
Named for its rocky terrain, the town of Rockland is positioned about 10 miles inland off the Massachusetts Bay shoreline and just over 20 miles south of Boston in the heart of Plymouth County. As the rugged landscape was more suited for industry than farming, the town blossomed as a flourishing industrial hub in the mid-19th century. “Years ago, Rockland was huge for shoe manufacturing and actually supplied more boots to the Union army during the Civil War than anywhere else. Even the high school's football team was the Shoes until the 1950s,” says Dan DiRenzo, broker and owner of Realty Choice and a lifelong Rockland resident. “Today, Rockland pretty much exists as what it once was: a manufacturing town.” Though most mills have since been repurposed into venues and studios, Rockland’s blue-collar community still thrives from its industrial base. Over the years, residential pockets have sprouted alongside manufacturing companies, creating the south shore commuter town it is today. DiRenzo says the town’s mixed-use nature, advances in transportation and the development of shopping malls and plazas that sprouted up in the 1960s are responsible for Rockland's loss of its once very impressive downtown district. “We have a different setup than other towns because local zoning bylaws weren't put into place until 1957,” he says. “You’ll have a gas station on one corner, residences on another corner, and a manufacturer on another, all on the same intersection.” While commerce is anchored by Union Street and Market Street, the community finds its common thread in its schools, social events and recreational offerings for kids and adults. The small-town feel and close-knit community, along with access to reputable amenities, appeal to homebuyers. “Rockland is a great town as far as the community goes,” DiRenzo says. “The government proves it every year when they help support the community through constant improvement. Whether it’s a new park or new school, we always have something in the works.”
Variety of New England housing types and styles
Rockland’s housing stock comprises a mix of condos, townhouses and single-family homes. Traditional New England architectural styles are most common among single-family homes, which include Cape Cods, colonial-inspired builds, bungalows and cottages. Many sit on modest lots that give the area a distinct suburban feel. Single-family homes typically range between the low $400,000s to the low $800,000s. Condos run in the $300,000s and townhouses can price from $320,000 to $520,000. DiRenzo says the town sits adjacent to more affluent neighborhoods, so Rockland offers lower entry rates for first-time homebuyers compared to surrounding communities, though prices are rising. “The rates have shot up significantly and the middle market is non-existent,” he says. “Prices have reached a point where it’s harder for first-time homebuyers to finance.” Still, average home values in Rockland are lower than the national average.
Expanding parks and robust recreational offerings
While Rockland has an industrial past, the town’s parks and activities beckon a recreation-focused future. “We take pride in our parks and recreation,” DiRenzo says, noting that the town has implemented new walking trails and playgrounds and has expanded its sports leagues for adults and youth. “People will come in from other towns because we have modern, state-of-the-art playgrounds and programs.” Rockland teems with green spaces scattered around the town, but Hartsuff Park is the community’s hub for outdoor recreation. Spanning 16.5 acres, the park features a 9-hole disc golf course and an updated playground that was opened in 2020. A small swimming pond washes against sandy beaches that crowd with Rockland residents during the summer months, and dense oak and beech trees shade the walking trails throughout the tract. The Rockland Rail Trail is a 5.3-mile out-and-back trail developed over former railroad tracks. Nearby golf courses include the Harmon Golf and Fitness Club and the Rockland Golf Course, and other recreational attractions include the Rockland Skating Park and Lovell Ice Arena.
The Rockland Community Center on Union Street is home to the Teen Center and many of the town’s youth and adult programs, which include classes, intramurals, sporting leagues and more. “The intramural sports are excellent, and the programs really care about the kids in town,” DiRenzo says. “I remember when fathers in the town started the little league baseball here 50 years ago, and they expanded it into a program for every sport. Now, it’s not just sports, but every recreational activity comes from a strong foothold from the community center.” Apart from youth sports, programs range from coding workshops and cooking classes to free yoga sessions, adult pickleball leagues and line dancing.
New Phelps Elementary School building has state-of-the-art features
Rockland Public Schools serves over 2,000 students in the town and earns a B overall score from Niche. Once split between three schools, elementary-aged students may now start their education at Phelps Elementary School, a new 12,000-square-foot facility that opened in 2023. The not-yet-rated elementary school serves over 700 students in first through fourth grades in a state-of-the-art building that boasts flexible learning spaces, a media center and other modern features that emphasize a STEAM curriculum. Kids may continue to the B-rated John W. Rogers Middle School and Rockland Senior High School, which earns a B-minus. Home of the Bulldogs, the high school offers an immense list of high-performing sports programs and extracurriculars. The school also provides robust academic programs such as Innovation Career Pathways, which include Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology.
Local shops and eats on Union Street, shopping malls in Hanover
Most of Rockland’s commerce — made up of pockets of stores, businesses and restaurants — is gathered along Union Street, which bisects the town from north to south. “Though Rockland lacks an actual supermarket in town there are a few different busy business districts offering a variety of restaurants and specialty shops,” DiRenzo says. Local eateries range from casual pizza joints and Irish pubs like The Banner Pub and Café, to elevated Brazilian spots like Mineiros Steakhouse. While Rockland has clusters of stores in its town limits, larger shopping plazas with national chains are located along State Route 3 and Washington Street. Hanover Crossing is a shopping mall with grocery stores like Trader Joe’s, department stores like Macy’s, a movie theater and various other brand-name stores. The mall also has diverse restaurants, from casual eats to elevated dining at Italian staple Evviva Trattoria. Nearby grocery options include Stop & Shop, Target and Market Basket.
Rockland Day attracts thousands of festgoers
Many of the town’s events take place at the Rockland Veterans Memorial Stadium. The largest and most attended event is Rockland Day, an annual festival in June that celebrates the community. Live music performances offer a lively soundtrack for festgoers as they browse craft vendors, enjoy a range of cuisine from food trucks and take part in activities for the whole family. Held at the Rockland Stadium, the event caps off with fireworks.
Traveling to city or to shoreline
Rockland’s location between Cape Cod and Boston puts residents in proximity to both the shore and the city. Only about 20 miles south of Boston, commuters may take the bus or train to the city. The Abington train station in neighboring Abington is served by the Kingston line, which connects to Boston in 35 minutes. Rockland residents are also just off State Route 3, which connects south to Cape Cod and north to Boston.
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