Onset Massachusetts Map

About Onset, Massachusetts

Onset is a locality in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. It has a population of approximately 1,380. The population density is 559.0 people per km². Onset is located at 41.7418°N, 70.6578°W. It observes the Eastern Time (America/New_York) timezone. ZIP code: 2558.

Onset breathes the salty tang of the sea, a peninsula jutting into the warm embrace of Buzzards Bay, its shores etched with sandy coves and rocky outcrops that catch the afternoon light. It lies 13.3 miles north of Falmouth, MA (from Falmouth, MA: bearing 350°T), and is situated 3.6 miles east-south-east of Wareham. The air here, even on a still day, carries a faint, insistent murmur of the tide, a constant reminder of the ocean's presence that shapes the very character of the place, from the weathered shingles of its beach houses to the hardy, salt-tolerant pines that stand sentinel along the shoreline. Summer evenings often bring a gentle haze, softening the edges of the horizon and lending a quiet, almost dreamlike quality to the waterfront, where the last fishing boats bob lazily at their moorings, their nets drying in the fading sun. This small corner of Plymouth County carries a rich legacy, once a hub for the burgeoning ice harvesting industry that supplied cities far and wide with the frozen bounty of its ponds, a history now echoed in the names of streets and the enduring charm of its Victorian architecture. Today, Onset’s economy hums with the seasonable rhythm of tourism, its marinas bustling with pleasure craft and its beaches drawing families seeking respite from the inland heat. The town’s distinctive Victorian streetscape, particularly around the picturesque town square, speaks of a bygone era when it was a popular resort destination, a time when steamboats plied these waters and grand hotels welcomed visitors to its shores, a spirit that still lingers in the friendly chatter at the local general store and the unhurried pace of its residents.

About This Onset Map Page

This page provides an interactive Google map of Onset, Massachusetts with street, satellite and terrain views and integrated Street View imagery. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Onset and Plymouth County.

Detailed location data for Onset includes the ZIP code (02558), telephone area code (339, 351, 413, 508, 617, 774, 781, 857, 978), county seat of Plymouth County (Plymouth), and school district assignment (Wareham School District). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Onset is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.