BlockBefore
Decorative drawing: a small American settlement seen from a low hill. Not a photograph of this place.

Quincy, Massachusetts

46 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1893 and the latest in 1989. It stands in Quincy City. It lies in ZIP code area 02169. It stands on Town Brook. The Survey maps it on the Boston South quadrangle. 101,636 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 30 feet above sea level.

Research this city

This curated hub for Norfolk County, Massachusetts brings together the page's documented record links, visible map or image evidence where published, and routes to related local records.

What is documented here?

Use the page's provenance and linked records to distinguish the source material from the site's navigation and summaries.

How should I cite it?

Open the original record, preserve its repository and identifier, then use the citation tool for this page as a path back to the source.

Where should I go next?

Follow the county or state hub for related places and records, then use the guide for a source-aware research sequence.

Quincy within Norfolk County

Population over time

2 figures

Quincy grew from 92,271 to 101,636 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
201092,271
2020101,636+9,365 (+10%)

Then and now

1893 to 1989

The same ground, surveyed 96 years apart. Drag the handle to wipe between them. Both sheets are United States Geological Survey originals; neither has been altered.

Topographic sheet of Quincy, surveyed 1989
Topographic sheet of Quincy, surveyed 1893

Topographic sheets covering this place

46 sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Photographs

8 photographs, 1940

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

House on Winter Street, Quincy, Massachusetts. Because of lack of parking facilities, people living in the vicinity of the shipyards are renting car space in their backyards and the lots around their houses for "fifty cents a week."
House on Winter Street, Quincy, Massachusetts. Because of lack of parking facilities, people living in the vicinity of the shipyards are renting car space in their backyards and the lots around their houses for "fifty cents a week."
Delano, Jack, 1940. Library of Congress
Mr. John Green, president of IUMSWA (Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of America), speaking before a union meeting in Quincy, Massachusetts
Mr. John Green, president of IUMSWA (Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of America), speaking before a union meeting in Quincy, Massachusetts
Delano, Jack, 1940. Library of Congress
Because of the shortage of housing in Quincy, families with large number of children are finding it almost impossible to find a house. Real estate agents, realizing that their houses are in demand have become very choosy about their tenants. These children are some that belong to two families. One has five and the other six. Both families living in one house which is very inadequate. Massachusetts
Because of the shortage of housing in Quincy, families with large number of children are finding it almost impossible to find a house. Real estate agents, realizing that their houses are in demand have become very choosy about their tenants. These children are some that belong to two families. One has five and the other six. Both families living in one house which is very inadequate. Massachusetts
Delano, Jack, 1940. Library of Congress
Lucien Koch, organizer in Quincy, Massachusetts for the IUMSWA (Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of of America). He is active in organizing a committee to demand a housing program for Quincy
Lucien Koch, organizer in Quincy, Massachusetts for the IUMSWA (Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of of America). He is active in organizing a committee to demand a housing program for Quincy
Delano, Jack, 1940. Library of Congress
A Syrian neighborhood near the shipyards. Slum area where many shipyard workers live. Winter Street, Quincy, Massachusetts
A Syrian neighborhood near the shipyards. Slum area where many shipyard workers live. Winter Street, Quincy, Massachusetts
Delano, Jack, 1940. Library of Congress
Sign advertising parking space in backlot of a private house in the vicinity of the shipyards in Quincy, Massachusetts
Sign advertising parking space in backlot of a private house in the vicinity of the shipyards in Quincy, Massachusetts
Delano, Jack, 1940. Library of Congress
A large parking lot with the shipyards in the background. Quincy, Massachusetts
A large parking lot with the shipyards in the background. Quincy, Massachusetts
Delano, Jack, 1940. Library of Congress
Parking lot with shipyards in background. Quincy, Massachusetts
Parking lot with shipyards in background. Quincy, Massachusetts
Delano, Jack, 1940. Library of Congress

Fires nearby

281 since 2015

The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 281 fires within 5 miles of Quincy between 2015 and 2020, burning about 132 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Recreation and ceremony185
Smoking40
Missing data/not specified/undetermined26
Debris and open burning24
Misuse of fire by a minor3
Fireworks2
Equipment and vehicle use1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
7 September 2015Recreation and ceremonyunder an acreMassachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire ControlWEYMOUTH
7 September 2015Recreation and ceremonyunder an acreMassachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire ControlBRAINTREE
7 September 2015Recreation and ceremonyunder an acreMassachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire ControlBRAINTREE
5 September 2016Smokingunder an acreMassachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire ControlQUINCY
5 September 2015Recreation and ceremony2.0 acresMassachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire ControlWEYMOUTH
29 September 2015Recreation and ceremonyunder an acreMassachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire ControlBRAINTREE
29 September 2015Recreation and ceremonyunder an acreMassachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire ControlWEYMOUTH
28 September 2015Recreation and ceremonyunder an acreMassachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire ControlBRAINTREE

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Norfolk County

Specimens collected nearby

12 of 11,367 shown

Museums hold 11,367 specimens collected within 10 miles of Quincy between 1810 and 1975: 5,427 Plantae, 2,716 Animalia, 2,598 Fungi, 352 Chromista, 192 Protozoa, 52 Unrecorded, 30 Bacteria. 12 distinct Species records are shown. Collected by (MARSDEN, H W), ?, A C Gibson and others. Each is a physical object with a catalogue number, and each entry opens the museum's record. This is what was collected and kept, not a survey of what lives here - nothing can be concluded from a species being absent.

Image SpeciesYear Collected by Where, as recorded
Specimen of Lysimachia × producta (A.Gray) FernaldLysimachia × producta (A.Gray) Fernald1900A. P. Chute
A photograph of the species Thalictrum L., not of this specimenThalictrum L.1810Boott, J.W.Near Boston.
A photograph of the species Anemone L., not of this specimenAnemone L.1815Boott, J.Andover Turnpike, 7 miles from Boston.
A photograph of the species Corylus L., not of this specimenCorylus L.1815not recordedCambridge Port, 2 miles from Boston.
Ericaceae1815BoottBoston, U.S.A.
A photograph of the species Limonium vulgare, not of this specimenLimonium vulgare Mill.1815not recordedOn Cragies Road [=near Cragies Bridge], 1 1/2 miles from Boston.
A photograph of the species Mollugo verticillata, not of this specimenMollugo verticillata L.1815Boott, F.M.B.Boston.
A photograph of the species Persicaria Mill., not of this specimenPersicaria (L.) Mill.1815Boott, J.W.Craigie's Road, 2 miles from Boston.
A photograph of the species Populus L., not of this specimenPopulus L.1815not recordedCambridgeport, 1 mile from Boston.
A photograph of the species Ranunculus L., not of this specimenRanunculus L.1815not recordedThicket at South Boston.
A photograph of the species Salix L., not of this specimenSalix L.1815not recordedCambridge, 3 1/2 miles from Boston.
A photograph of the species Arenaria serpyllifolia, not of this specimenArenaria serpyllifolia L.1816Boott, J.W.Concord Turnpike, near Boston.

All 11,367 specimens within 10 miles, at the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Mines and quarries nearby

5 within 5 miles

The federal mineral resources record lists 5 workings within 5 miles of Quincy: 3 producers, 2 past producers. 3 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Granite, Stone, Crushed/Broken. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Old Colony Crushed StoneGranitePast ProducerGranite
Old Colony QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Braintree PlantSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Liberty PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Town of WeymouthSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast ProducerSedimentary

Every working recorded in Norfolk County

Storms nearby

29 since 1995

The National Weather Service names Quincy in 29 storm reports between 1995 and 2025: 10 thunderstorm wind, 8 flood, 5 flash flood, 3 hail. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
November 2002Storm Surge/TideQuincy$15,000no account filed
August 2015LightningQuincy$10,000Lightning struck a house on Vassall Road, shattering the chimney and breaking a water pipe near the chimney.
August 2010FloodWest Quincy$8,000Several streets in the area of Quincy, Braintree, and Milton were flooded with one to two feet of water. One car was stuck in flood waters at Granite and Chickatawbut Roads in Quincy.
July 2021Thunderstorm WindQuincy$5,000In Quincy, a tree was down on a car at the intersection of Evans Street and West Squantum Street. A person was trapped and extricated, but fortunately was uninjured. Police report relayed by amateur radio.
April 2017FloodWest Quincy$5,000At 944 AM EST an amateur radio operator reported a flooded basement on Bunker Hill Lane in Quincy.
June 2016FloodQuincy$5,000A car was stuck in 3 to 4 feet of water near the intersection of Willard and Robertson Streets.
August 2016FloodWest Quincy$5,000A car was stuck in flood waters on Independence Avenue and Bennington Street.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindQuincy$5,000no account filed
August 2005Flash FloodQuincy$5,000no account filed
August 2005Thunderstorm WindQuincy$5,000no account filed
August 2001Thunderstorm WindQuincy$5,000no account filed
June 2021Thunderstorm WindQuincy$1,500In Quincy, trees were down on Holbrook Road at Newport Avenue. A tree was down on Warren Avenue.
July 2021Thunderstorm WindWest Quincy$1,000In Quincy, a tree was down at 49 Nelson Street. Also, a tree was down on Furnace Brook Parkway.
July 2017FloodWest Quincy$1,000At 511 PM EST, an amateur radio operator reported Vernon Street flooded and impassable, with cars stuck in the flooding.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindQuincy$500In Quincy, there was a report of a tree down - street unknown.
July 2025Flash FloodQuincy-In Quincy, significant flooding was occurring on the southeast Expressway.
July 2025Flash FloodQuincy-In Quincy, I-93 northbound was closed due to flooding in the Furnace Brook area.
July 2023Flash FloodQuincy-In Quincy, DPW assistance was requested for flooding on Enterprise Dr.
July 2023Flash FloodWest Quincy-In Quincy, I-93 North at exit 9 had the middle and right lanes flooded and impassable.
August 2017FloodWest Quincy-At 349 PM EST, a car was trapped in street flooding at junction of Independence Avenue and Bennington Street in Quincy.
July 2017FloodWest Quincy-At 333 PM EST, multiple cars were trapped in flood waters on Water Street in Quincy.
June 2016FloodNorth Quincy-Standish Road was impassable due to flooding near the intersection with Parke Avenue.
May 2015HailQuincy-no account filed
June 2000Thunderstorm WindQuincy-no account filed
June 2000HailQuincy-no account filed
June 2000HailQuincy-no account filed
July 2000Thunderstorm WindQuincy-no account filed
July 2000LightningQuincy-no account filed
October 1995Thunderstorm WindQuincy-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Norfolk County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Quincy Center0.6 miles42
Merrymount0.8 miles41
North Commons0.8 miles42
South Quincy1.0 miles42
Quincy Point1.1 miles38
Adams Shore1.2 miles41
Wollaston1.3 miles46
South Commons1.4 miles38

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on QuincyAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q49143The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 617701. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Specimens. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), https://www.gbif.org/. Only records licensed CC0 or CC BY are used. Records licensed CC BY-NC are excluded because this site carries advertising. Images are checked individually and any whose licence is non-commercial, no-derivatives or unreadable is refused.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.