City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Barnstable, MA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Barnstable - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

49,232
Residents
$97,348
Median income
$559,200
Median home
$2,422
Median rent (state)

Barnstable - the verdict

Barnstable ranks in the 76th percentile for household income and the 56th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

76th
percentile, household income
87th
percentile, home value
91st
percentile, median rent
56th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Barnstable, MA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 49,232 residents in Barnstable, a small city within Massachusetts. Barnstable households earn a median of $97,348 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.6%. Typical homes in Barnstable are valued around $559,200, and the median resident age is 48.6 years. 42.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 63.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 193 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 117% from five years earlier. Barnstable reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1195.8 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Massachusetts carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Massachusetts at 105.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,422 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Massachusetts run around $330, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Barnstable workers runs 22.4 minutes, with 76.4% driving alone and 11.0% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 89.1 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

49,232 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$97,348 /yr

Poverty 4.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Barnstable compare to other US cities?

Barnstable measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 76% higher than other cities
Home value 87% pricier than other cities
Median rent 91% pricier than other cities
Safety 56% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Massachusetts alone, Barnstable ranks #100 of 149 Massachusetts cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Barnstable's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Massachusetts, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

76thIncome percentile
56thSafety percentile

76th percentile nationally for median household income · 56th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Barnstable's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Barnstable's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 48 Avg. percentile National median
Barnstable's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Barnstable's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$559,200 13th percentile more affordable than 13% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Barnstable $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Barnstable, MA Barnstable, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Barnstable, MA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Barnstable, MA median $97,348/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Barnstable, MA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Barnstable, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 42.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
49,232
Median Income
$97,348
Median Home Value
$559,200
Median Age
48.6
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Labor force participation
63.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
42.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1195.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
410.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
785.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
48,500 residents49,000 residents49,500 residents50,000 residents50,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 48,863 residents 50,101 residents ▲ +2.5%
Barnstable's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
193
housing units authorized
Single-Family
34
detached homes
Multifamily
159
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 89
2020 57
2021 58
2022 317
2023 37
2024 193

Permit volume increased 117% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
22.4 minutes
Drive Alone
76.4%
Carpool
7.8%
Public Transit
1.6%
Walk
1.6%
Work from Home
11.0%
Other
1.6%

Based on 25,701 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Massachusetts - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$160
avg/month
Natural Gas
$110
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$60
avg/month
Total Utilities
$330
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Massachusetts state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Massachusetts state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Barnstable sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.8
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,422/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Everett
49,236 people
Attleboro
46,499 people
Arlington
46,015 people
Methuen
53,043 people
Peabody
54,180 people
Salem
44,241 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Barnstable's 49,232 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Coral Gables, FL
49,243 people
Bedford, TX
49,191 people
Lawrence, IN
49,284 people
Azusa, CA
49,318 people
Antelope, CA
49,080 people
Dublin, OH
49,031 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Barnstable's $97,348 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Nephi, UT
$97,348 median income
Aberdeen, IN
$97,344 median income
Lake Shore, UT
$97,357 median income
West Glens Falls, NY
$97,333 median income
Telluride, CO
$97,330 median income
Oakland, CA
$97,369 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Barnstable, MA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Barnstable, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.0% 6.3% 9.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.4% White 79.0% Black or African American 6.3% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.0% Two or more races 9.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Barnstable compares to nearby Massachusetts cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Barnstable (this city) 49,232 $97,348
Everett 49,236 $79,658
Attleboro 46,499 $93,266
Arlington 46,015 $141,440
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Barnstable, MA?

What is the population of Barnstable, MA? +

49,232 people live in Barnstable, MA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Barnstable, MA? +

In Barnstable, the typical household earns $97,348 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Barnstable? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Barnstable; the closest available measure is the Massachusetts state average, a cost of living index of 105.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Massachusetts vary by metro area.

Is Barnstable, MA safe? +

Barnstable has a total crime rate of 1195.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Barnstable, MA? +

The median home value in Barnstable is $559,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.