City Score: Norwell, MA

The score

Norwell, MA scores 39 out of 100 on the Joy Project City Score, status Liberty since Oct 2026. Condition 41 (the city from public data, 60%) and Movement 37 (how the church is moving, 40%). How the score is built.

Condition: Massachusetts state-wide

Read state-wide: Massachusetts

State-wide for Burden, Marriage & family, and Liberty: the numbers for Violent crime, Property crime, Legal gambling, Divorces, Marriages, Religious Liberty in the States score, Safeguards fully in law, State Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Anti-Christian hate crimes, School choice, Protections for the unborn, Homeschool freedom, and Tone of news coverage of Christianity are published for Massachusetts as a whole, not by city, so every Massachusetts city carries Massachusetts's numbers.

Massachusetts scores 38 out of 100, Liberty since Oct 2026 (Condition 42 · Movement 33).

These numbers change at the state. A petition started from any Massachusetts city reaches Massachusetts's officials, and Massachusetts's own score moves with them.

Start a petition for Massachusetts in the Joy app.

What's moving it

• 77 prayer gatherings (Prayer, listed from church websites)
• 215 ways to serve (Service, listed from church websites)
• 259 gatherings (Gathering, listed from church websites)
• 418 churches listed (Unity, listed from church websites)
• 51 Bible studies (Discipleship, listed from church websites)

The condition of Norwell, MA

• What Norwell is up against: 52 out of 100 — Better than 43% of cities, up 4 points (Massachusetts state-wide)
• Where grace is growing: 21 out of 100 — Better than 23% of cities (From Plymouth County, MA)
• Marriage & family: 64 out of 100 — Better than 72% of cities, up 3 points (Massachusetts state-wide)
• Christian liberty: 32 out of 100 — Better than 22% of cities, down 4 points (Massachusetts state-wide)

Christianity on the Move in Norwell, MA

A non-biased rating of Christian values across the cultural areas of impact, from public data: 1 to 100, higher is more favourable. Norwell, MA rates 37 out of 100: Drifting across 8 of 8 areas. The rating is public data only; how the church is moving in each area this week is shown beside it and never blended in. How it is built.

The Church: 20 out of 100, Barren

Faith institutions, spiritual leadership and worship spaces. Key measure: Church adherents (430.8 adherents per 1,000 residents, Plymouth County, MA). From Plymouth County, MA. The church's movement in it this week: 60 out of 100 (77 prayer gatherings, 215 ways to serve, and 259 gatherings).

The Family: 63 out of 100, Steadfast

The core social unit: marriages, children and household structures. Key measure: Children with married parents (76.9 % of own children under 18 in married-couple families, Plymouth County, MA). Massachusetts state-wide. The church's movement in it this week: 50 out of 100 (51 Bible studies).

Education: 22 out of 100, Wandering

Schools, universities and systems of learning. Key measure: School choice (0 0-2, Massachusetts). Massachusetts state-wide. The church's movement in it this week: 50 out of 100 (51 Bible studies).

Government: 33 out of 100, Restrictive

Public policy, law, safety and civic governance. Key measure: Religious Liberty in the States score (34.8 % of the edition's safeguards in state law, Massachusetts). Massachusetts state-wide. The church's movement in it this week: 16 out of 100.

Media: 44 out of 100, Mixed

News, journalism and digital communication. Key measure: Tone of news coverage of Christianity (-0.6 tone (-10 hostile to +10 favourable), Massachusetts). Massachusetts state-wide. The church's movement in it this week: 19 out of 100.

Arts & Entertainment: 26 out of 100, Worldly

Film, music, sports and cultural storytelling. Key measure: Adult entertainment outlets (0.0 mapped places per 100,000, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area). From the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area. The church's movement in it this week: 19 out of 100.

Business: 40 out of 100, Tightfisted

Commerce, generosity and the marketplace. Key measure: Charitable giving (0.7 itemized charitable deductions as % of adjusted gross income, Plymouth County, MA). From the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area. The church's movement in it this week: 23 out of 100.

Compassion: 48 out of 100, Stirring

Mercy toward people in trouble: addiction, recovery, children in care and neighbors serving. Key measure: Drug overdose deaths (17.0 deaths per 100,000, Plymouth County, MA). From the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area. The church's movement in it this week: 37 out of 100 (215 ways to serve).

What takes Norwell, MA to Revival

• City Pulse: City Pulse 2 → 40
• Unity: Unity 12 → 45
• Prayer: Prayer 0 → 45
• Discipleship: Discipleship 0 → 45

What affected it

• This week: Prayer down 2 — 77 prayer gatherings
• This week: Gathering down 2 — 259 gatherings
• This quarter: Drug overdose deaths up 26 percentile points (What Norwell is up against)
• This quarter: Anti-Christian hate crimes up 26 percentile points (Christian liberty)
• This quarter: Religious Liberty in the States score down 18 percentile points (Christian liberty)

Norwell, MA over time

• Oct 2026 — Entered Liberty

Sources

1. Violent crime: FBI Crime Data Explorer · 2025 · Massachusetts · fetched Oct 29, 2026
2. Property crime: FBI Crime Data Explorer · 2025 · Massachusetts · fetched Oct 29, 2026
3. Sexually transmitted infections: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus · fetched Oct 28, 2026
4. Drug overdose deaths: CDC NCHS, provisional county drug overdose deaths (VSRR) · 2025 · Plymouth County, MA · fetched Oct 28, 2026
5. Legal gambling: The Liberty register (config/conditions/liberty_laws.yml) · 2026 · Massachusetts · fetched Nov 4, 2026
6. Adult entertainment outlets: OpenStreetMap outlet counts (Metro pulse, metro_reformation_stats) · 2026-10 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area · fetched Oct 31, 2026
7. Gambling outlets: OpenStreetMap outlet counts (Metro pulse, metro_reformation_stats) · 2026-10 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area · fetched Oct 31, 2026
8. Cannabis outlets: OpenStreetMap outlet counts (Metro pulse, metro_reformation_stats) · 2026-10 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area · fetched Oct 31, 2026
9. Liquor outlets and bars: OpenStreetMap outlet counts (Metro pulse, metro_reformation_stats) · 2026-10 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area · fetched Oct 31, 2026
10. Predatory lenders: OpenStreetMap outlet counts (Metro pulse, metro_reformation_stats) · 2026-10 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area · fetched Oct 31, 2026
11. Abortion facilities (mapped): OpenStreetMap outlet counts (Metro pulse, metro_reformation_stats) · 2026-10 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area · fetched Oct 31, 2026
12. Church adherents: 2020 U.S. Religion Census · 2020 · Plymouth County, MA · fetched Oct 28, 2026
13. Congregations: 2020 U.S. Religion Census · 2020 · Plymouth County, MA · fetched Oct 28, 2026
14. Charitable giving: IRS Statistics of Income, county data · 2023 · Plymouth County, MA · fetched Oct 28, 2026
15. Given to local needs in Joy: Verified in Joy (the impact ledger) · 2026-10 · 25023 (1 city summed) · fetched Nov 9, 2026 · verified in Joy
16. Needs met in Joy: Verified in Joy (the impact ledger) · 2026-10 · 25023 (1 city summed) · fetched Nov 9, 2026 · verified in Joy
17. Volunteers mobilized in Joy: Verified in Joy (the impact ledger) · 2026-10 · 25023 (1 city summed) · fetched Nov 9, 2026 · verified in Joy
18. New believers in Joy: Verified in Joy (the impact ledger) · 2026-10 · 25023 (1 city summed) · fetched Nov 9, 2026 · verified in Joy
19. Searches for a church in Joy: Verified in Joy (the impact ledger) · 2026-10 · 25023 (1 city summed) · fetched Nov 9, 2026 · verified in Joy
20. Foster and adoptive families in the churches: Church workspace entries (church-attested) · 2026-11 · 25023 (1 city summed) · fetched Nov 4, 2026 · verified in Joy
21. Christian colleges and universities: NCES IPEDS via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal (religious affiliation of colleges) · 2024 · county · fetched Nov 10, 2026
22. Children with married parents: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year · 2020-2024 · Plymouth County, MA · fetched Oct 28, 2026
23. Adults 25-44 married: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year · 2020-2024 · Plymouth County, MA · fetched Oct 28, 2026
24. Cohabiting households: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year · 2020-2024 · Plymouth County, MA · fetched Oct 28, 2026
25. Divorces: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year · 2020-2024 · Massachusetts · fetched Oct 28, 2026
26. Marriages: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year · 2020-2024 · Massachusetts · fetched Oct 28, 2026
27. Births to unmarried mothers: CDC WONDER · fetched Oct 28, 2026
28. Religious Liberty in the States score: Religious Liberty in the States · 2026 · Massachusetts · fetched Oct 28, 2026
29. Safeguards fully in law: Religious Liberty in the States · 2026 · Massachusetts · fetched Oct 28, 2026
30. State Religious Freedom Restoration Act: Religious Liberty in the States · 2026 · Massachusetts · fetched Oct 28, 2026
31. Anti-Christian hate crimes: FBI Crime Data Explorer · 2025 · Massachusetts · fetched Oct 29, 2026
32. School choice: The Liberty register (config/conditions/liberty_laws.yml) · 2026 · Massachusetts · fetched Nov 4, 2026
33. Protections for the unborn: The Liberty register (config/conditions/liberty_laws.yml) · 2026 · Massachusetts · fetched Nov 4, 2026
34. Homeschool freedom: The Liberty register (config/conditions/liberty_laws.yml) · 2026 · Massachusetts · fetched Nov 4, 2026
35. Tone of news coverage of Christianity: GDELT Project, DOC 2.0 API (tone of U.S. news coverage naming Christianity) · 2026-11 · Massachusetts · fetched Nov 10, 2026

City Score over time

The last 6 weeks, Norwell, MA, Massachusetts, and United States side by side. The Condition moves by the quarter; the week-to-week line is how the church is moving.

Compare Norwell, MA

• Norwell, MA vs Providence, RI (Providence, RI scores 36)
• Norwell, MA vs Worcester, MA (Worcester, MA scores 30)
• Norwell, MA vs Springfield, MA (Springfield, MA scores 27)
• Norwell, MA vs Northampton, MA (Northampton, MA scores 31)
• Norwell, MA vs Pittsfield, MA (Pittsfield, MA scores 31)

Every indicator

What Norwell is up against — 52 out of 100

• Violent crime: 300.4 offences per 100,000, better than 44% of cities, down 5 points · 2025, Massachusetts · FBI Crime Data Explorer
• Property crime: 1034.3 offences per 100,000, better than 82% of cities, down 10 points · 2025, Massachusetts · FBI Crime Data Explorer
• Sexually transmitted infections: not shown (no data) · CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus
• Drug overdose deaths: 17.0 deaths per 100,000, better than 62% of cities, up 26 points · 2025, Plymouth County, MA · CDC NCHS, provisional county drug overdose deaths (VSRR)
• Legal gambling: 2 0-3, better than 45% of cities · 2026, Massachusetts · The Liberty register (config/conditions/liberty_laws.yml)
• Adult entertainment outlets: 0.0 mapped places per 100,000, better than 15% of cities · 2026-10, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area · OpenStreetMap outlet counts (Metro pulse, metro_reformation_stats)
• Gambling outlets: 0.1 mapped places per 100,000, better than 37% of cities · 2026-10, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area · OpenStreetMap outlet counts (Metro pulse, metro_reformation_stats)
• Cannabis outlets: 1.6 mapped places per 100,000, better than 28% of cities · 2026-10, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area · OpenStreetMap outlet counts (Metro pulse, metro_reformation_stats)
• Liquor outlets and bars: 17.2 mapped places per 100,000, better than 39% of cities · 2026-10, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area · OpenStreetMap outlet counts (Metro pulse, metro_reformation_stats)
• Predatory lenders: 0.4 mapped places per 100,000, better than 67% of cities · 2026-10, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area · OpenStreetMap outlet counts (Metro pulse, metro_reformation_stats)
• Abortion facilities (mapped): 0.1 mapped facilities per 100,000 (a floor), better than 16% of cities · 2026-10, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area · OpenStreetMap outlet counts (Metro pulse, metro_reformation_stats)

Where grace is growing — 21 out of 100

• Church adherents: 430.8 adherents per 1,000 residents, better than 39% of cities · 2020, Plymouth County, MA · 2020 U.S. Religion Census
• Congregations: 5.7 congregations per 10,000 residents, better than 2% of cities · 2020, Plymouth County, MA · 2020 U.S. Religion Census
• Charitable giving: 0.7 itemized charitable deductions as % of adjusted gross income, better than 47% of cities · 2023, Plymouth County, MA · IRS Statistics of Income, county data
• Given to local needs in Joy: 0 dollars per 100,000 residents, trailing 12 months, better than 0% of cities · 2026-10, 25023 (1 city summed) · Verified in Joy (the impact ledger) · verified in Joy
• Needs met in Joy: 0 per 100,000 residents, trailing 12 months, better than 0% of cities · 2026-10, 25023 (1 city summed) · Verified in Joy (the impact ledger) · verified in Joy
• Volunteers mobilized in Joy: 0 per 100,000 residents, trailing 12 months, better than 0% of cities · 2026-10, 25023 (1 city summed) · Verified in Joy (the impact ledger) · verified in Joy
• New believers in Joy: 0 per 100,000 residents, trailing 12 months, better than 0% of cities · 2026-10, 25023 (1 city summed) · Verified in Joy (the impact ledger) · verified in Joy
• Searches for a church in Joy: 0 per 100,000 residents, trailing 12 months, better than 0% of cities · 2026-10, 25023 (1 city summed) · Verified in Joy (the impact ledger) · verified in Joy
• Foster and adoptive families in the churches: 0 per 100,000 residents, better than 0% of cities · 2026-11, 25023 (1 city summed) · Church workspace entries (church-attested) · verified in Joy
• Christian colleges and universities: 0 per million residents, better than 33% of cities · 2024 · NCES IPEDS via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal (religious affiliation of colleges)

Marriage & family — 64 out of 100

• Children with married parents: 76.9 % of own children under 18 in married-couple families, better than 75% of cities, up 7 points · 2020-2024, Plymouth County, MA · Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year
• Adults 25-44 married: 49.5 % of people 25-44 married, spouse present, better than 47% of cities · 2020-2024, Plymouth County, MA · Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year
• Cohabiting households: 7.1 % of households that are cohabiting couples, better than 41% of cities, down 11 points · 2020-2024, Plymouth County, MA · Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year
• Divorces: 11.6 divorced in the last 12 months per 1,000 married people, better than 89% of cities, up 4 points · 2020-2024, Massachusetts · Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year
• Marriages: 28.3 married in the last 12 months per 1,000 unmarried people 15+, better than 18% of cities, up 2 points · 2020-2024, Massachusetts · Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year
• Births to unmarried mothers: not shown (no data) · CDC WONDER

Christian liberty — 32 out of 100

• Religious Liberty in the States score: 34.8 % of the edition's safeguards in state law, better than 25% of cities, down 18 points · 2026, Massachusetts · Religious Liberty in the States
• Safeguards fully in law: 5 of the edition's safeguards, better than 25% of cities · 2026, Massachusetts · Religious Liberty in the States
• State Religious Freedom Restoration Act: 0 1 = full protection, 0 = none, better than 20% of cities · 2026, Massachusetts · Religious Liberty in the States
• Anti-Christian hate crimes: 0.1 incidents per 100,000, better than 60% of cities, up 26 points · 2025, Massachusetts · FBI Crime Data Explorer
• School choice: 0 0-2, better than 18% of cities · 2026, Massachusetts · The Liberty register (config/conditions/liberty_laws.yml)
• Protections for the unborn: 0 0-2, better than 29% of cities · 2026, Massachusetts · The Liberty register (config/conditions/liberty_laws.yml)
• Homeschool freedom: 0 0-2, better than 5% of cities · 2026, Massachusetts · The Liberty register (config/conditions/liberty_laws.yml)
• Tone of news coverage of Christianity: -0.6 tone (-10 hostile to +10 favourable), better than 44% of cities · 2026-11, Massachusetts · GDELT Project, DOC 2.0 API (tone of U.S. news coverage naming Christianity)

Quote and download

Cite it as: Joy Project City Score v1.0, Norwell, MA, 2026-Q4, joyproject.com/cities/norwell-ma/score

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• How the score is built (methodology)
• The Q4 2026 release: rankings and every state's table

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