Massachusetts

Norfolk

725,981

2020 population

1800

first census record

census records

About Norfolk

Norfolk, Massachusetts, first appears in the United States federal census in 1800, when it recorded a population of 27,216. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 725,981.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 7 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Attack on Weymouth 1676, King Philip's War – Attack on Weymouth MA 1676, King Philip's War – Raid on Wrentham MA 1676, and 350 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census Year	Population	Chart
2020	725,981
2010	670,850
2000	650,308
1990	616,087
1980	606,587
1970	605,051
1960	510,256
1950	392,308
1940	325,180
1930	299,426
1920	219,081
1910	187,506
1900	151,539
1890	118,950
1880	96,507
1870	89,443
1860	109,950
1850	78,892
1840	53,140
1830	41,972
1820	36,471
1810	31,245
1800	27,216

Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Norfolk

Military engagements that took place in Norfolk, Massachusetts.

Attack on Weymouth 1676

1676

King Philip's War – Attack on Weymouth MA 1676

1676

King Philip's War – Raid on Wrentham MA 1676

1676

Burning of Medfield MA 1676

1676

Raid on Medfield 1676

1676

Raid on Medfield MA 1676

1676

Raid on Medfield MA (King Philip's War)

1676

Historic places in Norfolk

National Register of Historic Places listings in Norfolk, Massachusetts.

Davis, Dr. Frank, House

Quincy

Richards, Alfred H., House

Quincy

White, Benjamin, House

Brookline

Beacon Street Historic District

Brookline

Beaconsfield Terraces Historic District

Brookline

Foxborough Pumping Station

House at 12 Vernon Street

Brookline

Pondville Cemetery

Norfolk

Central Square Historic District

Weymouth

Dean Junior College Historic District

Quincy, Josiah, House

Quincy

Hutchinson's, Gov. Thomas, Ha-ha

Milton

Holbrook Square Historic District

Holbrook

Kingsbury-Whitaker House

Needham

Wrentham State School

Wrentham

Hagerty, Josephine M., House

Cohasset

Browse all Massachusettshistoric sites ›

Other counties in Massachusetts

Explore census history and historic records for more Massachusetts counties.

Berkshire Bristol Dukes Essex Franklin Hampden Hampshire Middlesex Nantucket Plymouth Suffolk Worcester Barnstable

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Norfolk County, Massachusetts

This page charts the census history of Norfolk County, Massachusetts. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview

An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.

The Land

The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.

Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.

Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.

Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

Timeline

The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.

First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Norfolk County, Massachusetts report

Or see a real report first

Explore Massachusetts records

Massachusettshistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Massachusetts›

Frequently asked about Norfolk

When does Norfolk first appear in the US census?

Norfolk, Massachusetts first appears in the federal census in 1800, with a recorded population of 27,216.

What is the population of Norfolk?

At the most recent federal census (2020), Norfolk had a recorded population of 725,981.

Were any battles fought in Norfolk?

7 documented military engagements took place in Norfolk, including Attack on Weymouth 1676, King Philip's War – Attack on Weymouth MA 1676, King Philip's War – Raid on Wrentham MA 1676.

How many historic places are in Norfolk?

350 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Norfolk, Massachusetts.

Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your location View a free sample report