About Departments Boards and Committees Residents Business How Do I..... COVID-19 Contact Us Keywords You are here Home About Our Town Hanover was established in 1727, a little over 100 years after the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, 17 miles to our south. We have maintained our "country town" atmosphere over the years, yet combined it with the convenience of shopping malls, light industry, and, of course, technology. Today's population of nearly 15,000 still allows room for open space and woodlands, and most homeowners enjoy sizable lots, often with stone fences leftover from a bygone era. Ponds, streams, and rivers, which join the historic North River as it flows to the Atlantic Ocean, provide both summer and winter recreational opportunities. Hanover is within the easy commuting range of the world-famous educational institutions in the Boston/Cambridge area. Other fine New England colleges and universities are within short driving range and many Hanover students commute. Six churches are located within Hanover. Many other religious faiths are represented in convenient, surrounding cities and towns. Internationally acclaimed medical facilities are within commuting distance of Hanover. Six large well equipped local hospitals are available to residents as are walk-in medical centers in Hanover and surrounding towns. Historical and cultural choices abound for residents. Plymouth Rock, a replica of the ship Mayflower, and Plymouth Plantation are a half-hour away. Boston, "the cradle of liberty," is a short ride away. Quincy, featuring the homes, birthplaces, and tombs of early United States Presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams, can be reached in minutes. Concord and Lexington make a delightful day trip. Atlantic Ocean beaches or those of Cape Cod, and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, are a short drive away. Boston Symphony Orchestra Pops Concerts, several ballet companies, summer theater, community theater groups, and our own bandstand provide year-round, nearby cultural programs. Sports fans have the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, and Boston Celtics for professional events, and Hanover High School is a perennial contender in both boys and girls sports. Skiing, golf, whale watching, or deep-sea fishing are available by car within a short distance. The John Curtis Library facilities serve the needs of students, businesses, and residents of the town with a full range of books, digital media, and a connecting link with several neighboring libraries. Like many New England towns, the government of Hanover consists of an elected Selectboard, which appoints a Town Manager, who is responsible for the overall operation of the town. Other elected officials are the Town Clerk, Board of Public Works, Board of Assessors, School Committee, Board of Health, Trustees of the Public Library, Planning Board, Housing Authority, and a Town Moderator. At the Annual Town Meeting, all registered voter residents of the town may vote for or against articles in the warrant. The Town Manager is responsible for appointing a Police Chief, Fire Chief, and other department managers. The Selectboard appoints citizens to fill positions on various committees and commissions vital to the operation of the town. The Town Moderator makes appointments to several other vital committees, including the Advisory Committee. Responsibility for the educational needs of Hanover children rests with the elected School Committee. Day-to-day operational responsibility is delegated to the School Superintendent. Hanover is proud of its school system which ranks high in both state and national levels. Sixty-five to seventy percent of graduates from Hanover Public Schools typically pursue college careers. There are nearly 1,000 business and professional establishments in Hanover which range in size from home business and "mom-and-pop" stores to those employing one hundred or more. Cardinal Cushing Centers, a non-profit organization, is one of the largest employers in Hanover. 600 staff support over 600 students and adults with intellectual disabilities, with the goal of helping each individual to gain independence, form lasting friendships and become valued and included members of their community. The majority of banking, professional, retail, and service establishments are located on the four-mile stretch of Route 53 which runs north and south between the adjoining towns of Norwell and Pembroke. The two east and west main roads, Route 139 and Route 123, support an equally interesting variety of business and professional establishments. Light industry firms in Hanover are located mostly in West Hanover off Route 139. State Highway Route 3, one of the major links to Cape Cod and Boston, runs through the northeast corner of Hanover where it affords travelers easy access to the town. The availability of Boston's Logan International Airport via Route 3 and the Southeast Expressway greatly enhances Hanover's attractiveness as a business or residential site. Statistics and Demographics County: Plymouth Population (2019): 14,570 Founded (Town): 1727 Land Area: 15.61 square miles Total Area: 15.72 square miles Communications Contact Town Departments, Boards, and Committees Hanover Today and in History Highlights of Early Hanover Town Seal Quick Links Courts Serving Hanover Legislators Massachusetts Municipal Association Plymouth County South Shore Region U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts Town of Hanover • 550 Hanover Street, Hanover, MA 02339 • 781.826.5000 Statement on Community Inclusiveness • Website Disclaimer • Hours & Directions Government Websites by CivicPlus ® Login