What is it like to live in Georgetown?

“There’s a lot of good, hard-working people who take a lot of pride in the town,’’ said resident Brian St. Pierre.

Shops on East Main Street in downtown Georgetown. Jim Davis/Globe Staff

February 14, 2017

2 minutes to read

Former Boston College football star Brian St. Pierre was still playing for the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers when he and his wife, Jocelyn, first bought a home in Georgetown in 2007. They were part-time residents until his career ended after the 2010 season, then they became year-round “townies.’’

Brian, who grew up in Danvers, chose Georgetown in part because Jocelyn’s sister has been living there for 15 years. “The first thing we noticed was that there’s such a strong sense of community,’’ said Brian, who is now the head football coach at his high school alma mater, St. John’s Prep. “There’s a lot of good, hard-working people who take a lot of pride in the town.’’

Incorporated in 1838, Georgetown still had only 2,000 or so residents by the mid-20th century, but it has been growing at a steady clip since — to more than 8,000 people as of the 2010 Census. The town’s abundance of newer housing developments was part of its appeal for the St. Pierres.

They also appreciated its location along the Interstate 95 corridor. Brian has a brother who lives in Charlestown, and they attend a lot of Celtics and Bruins games together.

The St. Pierres have two young boys, Luke, 6, and Kyle, 4. St. John’s is opening a new middle school next year, so they will have to consider whether to send the boys there when the time comes. So far, Brian said, he has been impressed with Georgetown’s public schools. The district will open a new $46 million elementary school in the fall.

“We’ve been thrilled with the treatment in the schools,’’ Brian said. “It’s a good problem to have.’’

Brian and Jocelyn St. Pierre and their family.

BY THE NUMBERS

Number of years granted in a land lease to John Spofford, the original settler of the area that would become Georgetown. In 1669, Spofford ventured into the uninhabited, western portion of Rowley, where he built a log hut on a plateau. When his lease was up, he bought the land, which would come to be known as Spofford’s Hill.

$14

Hourly rates (with equipment) at Archers Artemis, a range Donna Ricci just opened. She won a bronze medal in bare-bow at the USA Archery Nationals in 2012.

The percentage of voters who turned out in 2012 to decide whether to pass a debt exclusion of Proposition 2½ to fund the town’s $25.6 million share of the $46 million in total costs to build a new elementary school.The vote passed, 2,427 to 2,247.

PROS & CONS

Pro

Schools

Georgetown’s public school system has become a perennial contender among the best in the state. The middle-high school recently earned a perfect 10 rating from GreatSchools.org based on its exceptional test scores.

Con

Dining options

Georgetown has just a few restaurants to choose from in its little downtown.