[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 10.1 km2 (3.9 mi2), of which 10.0 km2 (3.9 mi2) is land and 0.1 km2 (0.1 mi2) (1.28%) is water.

The word "Scituate" is derived from the Native American word satuit, meaning "cold brook", referring to the river that runs into Scituate Harbor.

Hunter's Pond flows into the saltwater Gulph River via a waterfall at Mordecai Lincoln Road.

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 5,065 people, 1,849 households, and 1,432 families residing in the CDP.

19.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.