Brockton Apartments and Rentals

Brockton apartments for rent may be particularly attractive to families with children, as the Massachusetts city was named one of the Best Communities for Young People by America's Promise Alliance in 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2011. It is known as the City of Champions because boxing legends Rocky Marciano ("the Rock from Brockton") and Marvin Hagler both grew up there. Brockton is also famous for housing the largest high school in New England. The city is located in Plymouth County, is approximately half an hour south of Boston and had a population of 93,810 in 2010, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

First settled in the 17th century, Brockton was originally named North Bridgewater and was incorporated in 1881. Agriculture was the area's first major industry, but the Industrial Revolution ushered in an age of textile and shoe manufacturing upon which the city built its economy. More than 6,000 workers were employed by Brockton's shoe manufacturers at the turn of the 20th century, which earned it the nickname "Shoe City." Today, this aspect of the municipality's heritage is celebrated by the Brockton Shoe Museum, which traces the evolution of shoemaking in the nation from as early as the 16th century and also features a celebrity shoe exhibit.

Brockton High School is the city's only public education institution for students in grades 9 to 12. As the largest high school in New England and one of the biggest in the country, Brockton High School serves approximately 4,300 students and was twice named one of America's Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report. The city's public school system is also comprised of 12 elementary schools, six middle schools, three alternative schools, an early childhood center and an adult learning center.

For those interested in further education, Massasoit Community College has a Brockton campus, while Bridgewater State University is approximately 10 miles from the city. Stonehill College, located in nearby Easton, is a viable option for those interested in the liberal arts, sciences and pre-professional fields, and is attended by more than 2,300 students.

Massasoit Community College and Brockton High School are two of the city's largest employers, along with Brockton Hospital, Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center and the local U.S. Post Office Processing Center.

The cost of living in Brockton is considerably higher than the national average - Brockton registered 133.9 on City-Data.com's March 2012 cost of living index, compared to the national average of 100. The median gross rent of apartments in Brockton is $970, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Fans of the arts, culture and history have a lot to choose from in Brockton. The Brockton Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1948 and continues to delight audiences, while the Brockton Public Library serves as the headquarters of the Greater Brockton Society for Poetry and the Arts. The Brockton Historical Society operates three museums along Route 27, each dedicated to a different aspect of the city's history - the shoe industry, fire-fighting and an early homestead. The Brockton Fire Museum's pine floors and subdued lighting give visitors an impression of what a fire station in the area would have looked like in Victorian times.

For shoppers, the Westgate Mall is Brockton's main retail destination and features big-box retailers including Macy's and Sears, while sports fans may want to take in a Brockton Rox baseball game at Campanelli Stadium. To honor its most famous resident, the city erected a 20-foot statue of Rocky Marciano at the entrance to the stadium that also bears his name.

To find your next rental apartment or house in Brockton, take a look at our listings on Rent.com®.