County · Massachusetts
Barnstable County, Massachusetts
Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Barnstable County had 233,539 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.0% since 2020, in line with Massachusetts (+1.7%). It holds 54 places (1 city, village or borough, 14 towns and townships and 39 census-designated) and 57 census tracts. GEOID 25001.
Barnstable County is the county of the Barnstable Town, MA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
233,539
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 228,996 · ACS 2020-2024: 231,668
Median household income
$95,241
±$2,510 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$629,000
±$7,027 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,678
±$60 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
How many people live in Barnstable County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 228,996 residents in Barnstable County. The Census Bureau estimates 233,539 for July 1, 2025, up 2.0% since 2020, in line with Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 231,668 over 394 square miles of land.
| Measure | Barnstable County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 231,668 | 7,044,056 | +18,172 |
| Households | 105,777±1,344 | 2,785,042 | +11,454 |
| Average household size | 2.16±0.03 | 2.44 | −0.07 |
| Housing units | 166,215±74 | 3,030,406 | +2,658 |
Barnstable County's population since 2000
From 222,230 in 2000 to 233,539 in 2025: up 5.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Barnstable County?
Barnstable County holds 54 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place), 14 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 39 census-designated places. The largest is Barnstable Town with 50,101 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Barnstable Town | 48,916 | $91,982 |
|---|---|---|
| Falmouth | 32,517 | $93,043 |
| Yarmouth | 25,023 | $86,039 |
| Bourne | 20,452 | $91,058 |
| Sandwich | 20,259 | $122,486 |
| Mashpee | 15,060 | $95,299 |
| Dennis | 14,674 | $88,154 |
| Harwich | 13,440 | $96,966 |
| South Yarmouth | 11,703 | $82,188 |
| Brewster | 10,318 | $103,317 |
| Chatham | 6,594 | $85,167 |
| Orleans | 6,307 | $102,335 |
| East Falmouth | 6,278 | $81,464 |
| West Yarmouth | 6,278 | $65,841 |
| Eastham | 5,752 | $72,992 |
| Yarmouth Port | 5,403 | $110,304 |
| East Harwich | 5,250 | $111,508 |
| Northwest Harwich | 4,296 | $107,730 |
| Buzzards Bay | 4,279 | $94,388 |
| Forestdale | 4,116 | $108,158 |
| South Dennis | 3,899 | $88,411 |
| Sagamore | 3,851 | $108,315 |
| Falmouth CDP | 3,818 | $68,227 |
| East Sandwich | 3,669 | $115,000 |
| Provincetown | 3,664 | $136,904 |
| Wellfleet | 3,566 | $117,938 |
| Dennis Port | 3,487 | $70,094 |
| Provincetown CDP | 3,318 | $158,125 |
| North Falmouth | 3,293 | $121,509 |
| Sandwich CDP | 2,998 | $117,321 |
| Pocasset | 2,843 | $84,583 |
| Monument Beach | 2,784 | $77,167 |
| East Dennis | 2,585 | $103,654 |
| Truro | 2,454 | $118,984 |
| Dennis CDP | 2,399 | $109,882 |
| West Dennis | 2,304 | $95,758 |
| North Eastham | 2,296 | $77,442 |
| Brewster CDP | 2,028 | $113,214 |
| Harwich Center | 1,995 | $85,057 |
| Harwich Port | 1,899 | $70,761 |
| West Falmouth | 1,812 | $77,292 |
| Orleans CDP | 1,767 | $78,359 |
| Teaticket | 1,663 | $84,837 |
| West Chatham | 1,619 | not published |
| Chatham CDP | 1,551 | $83,750 |
| Bourne CDP | 1,497 | $97,847 |
| Mashpee NeckGEOID 2539152 | 1,076 | $92,284 |
| New SeaburyGEOID 2545500 | 852 | $212,750 |
| Woods HoleGEOID 2581245 | 834 | $71,724 |
| SeabrookGEOID 2560505 | 448 | $142,031 |
| PopponessetGEOID 2555070 | 280 | $102,357 |
| Monomoscoy IslandGEOID 2541960 | 139 | $155,341 |
| Seconsett IslandGEOID 2560627 | 98 | $82,875 |
| Popponesset IslandGEOID 2555090 | 45 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Barnstable County?
The median resident of Barnstable County is 55.4 years old; 14.1% are under 18 and 33.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.2%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.2%. 9.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Barnstable County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 55.4±0.1 | 40.0 | +2.1 |
| Under 18 years | 14.1% | 19.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 33.1%±0.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.7% | 13.3% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.2%±0.7 pts | 66.6% | −4.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.8%±0.3 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.2 pts | 7.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.2%±0.6 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.9%±0.7 pts | 18.0% | +1.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.8%±0.9 pts | 25.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±0.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 14.8%±0.6 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.7%±0.4 pts | 2.6% | −0.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.2%±0.5 pts | 91.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 48.2%±1.1 pts | 47.3% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 22.4%±0.7 pts | 21.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7%±0.4 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Barnstable County earn?
Half of Barnstable County's 105,777 households earn less than $95,241 a year (±$2,510), against $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 the median was $91,485 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,756 after inflation. 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Barnstable County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $95,241±$2,510 | $103,960 | +$3,756 |
| Mean household income | $134,349±$3,334 | $144,950 | – |
| Per capita income | $62,086±$1,573 | $57,897 | +$7,314 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.7%±0.7 pts | 10.0% | +1.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.1%±1.8 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.4%±0.8 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.3%±0.5 pts | 92.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Barnstable County?
Owners occupy 81.1% of Barnstable County's occupied homes and renters 18.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $629,000 by its owner (±$7,027). The median renter pays $1,678 a month including utilities, and 48.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Barnstable County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $629,000±$7,027 | $562,100 | +$144,722 |
| Median gross rent | $1,678±$60 | $1,762 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.8%±2.9 pts | 41.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,432±$34 | $2,726 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.1%±1.0 pts | 62.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 166,215±74 | 3,030,406 | +2,658 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7%±1.3 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.6%±0.8 pts | 51.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.4%±0.6 pts | 30.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Barnstable County building?
Builders took permits for 630 new housing units across Barnstable County in 2025 (333 single-family), 2.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Barnstable County get to work?
72.1% of Barnstable County's workers drive alone and 16.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.0%.
| Measure | Barnstable County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.3%±0.8 pts | 67.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0%±0.6 pts | 5.2% | +0.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 72.1%±1.3 pts | 61.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.0%±0.9 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.2%±0.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.5 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.0%±0.9 pts | 18.6% | +8.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.8 min±1.0 | 29.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Barnstable County's census tracts?
Barnstable County is divided into 57 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,850 (Tract 153) to $148,723 (Tract 135).
All 57 census tracts of Barnstable County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Barnstable County compare with Massachusetts's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 9th of 14 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 8th of 14 |
| Residents per square mile | 8th of 14 |
| Median household income | 9th of 14 |
| Median home value | 6th of 14 |
| Median gross rent | 7th of 14 |
| Poverty rate | 9th of 14 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7th of 14 |
| Median age | 1st of 14 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Barnstable County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.