Taunton is a city and county seat of Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. Taunton is situated on the Taunton River, which winds its way through the city on its way to Mount Hope Bay, 10 miles to the south. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 59,408. Shaunna O'Connell is the mayor of Taunton. Founded in 1637 by members of the Plymouth Colony, Taunton is one of the oldest towns in the United States.