Population 15,879 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Barnstable Town
Household size in Barnstable Town
| Period | Barnstable Town | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.08 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.25 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.46 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.14 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.06 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Barnstable Town is a place of small households, averaging 2.14 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has crept up from 2.08 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 18 have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Barnstable Town
| Period | Barnstable Town | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.0 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.5 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.4 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.5 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.5 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.5, Barnstable Town is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 42.0, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the center, the oldest in the northeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Barnstable Town
| Period | Barnstable Town | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.7% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.8% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Barnstable Town (12.8%), a bit above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 1.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Barnstable Town has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of Massachusetts cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Barnstable Town
Renters in Barnstable Town
| Period | Barnstable Town | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.0% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 49.2% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 49.8% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 47.8% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Barnstable Town than nationally: 47.8% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 35.6% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged up 0.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only 27 of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Barnstable Town
| Period | Barnstable Town | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.8% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.5% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 23.0% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.5% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −10.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 15.5% of the housing in Barnstable Town, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 10.3 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Barnstable Town
| Period | Barnstable Town | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1969 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1971 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Barnstable Town was built around 1977, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in Massachusetts as a whole, where the median home dates to 1963. The median year built has moved up from 1969 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the east has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Barnstable Town
| Period | Barnstable Town | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,112 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,030 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,330 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,758 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$645 | +$775 | +$606 |
The median renter in Barnstable Town pays $1,758 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in Massachusetts overall ($1,860). Rents are up $645 a month from 2006–10, a 58% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 41.2% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Barnstable Town
Bachelor's degrees in Barnstable Town
| Period | Barnstable Town | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.6% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.6% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.7% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 30.3% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
About three in ten adults 25 and older in Barnstable Town (30.3%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 4.7 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Barnstable Town has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of Massachusetts cities.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Barnstable Town
| Period | Barnstable Town | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.5% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.6% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.8% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.7% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Barnstable Town have finished high school as nationally: 89.7%, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 1.2 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Barnstable Town has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of Massachusetts cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Barnstable Town
| Period | Barnstable Town | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.5% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.6% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.3% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.0% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Barnstable Town has been low: just 3.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.6 points, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Barnstable Town compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | 2.14 | 45.5 | 12.8% | 47.8% | 15.5% | 1977 | $1,758 | 30.3% | 89.7% | 3.0% |
| Hyannis Port | 1.90 | 68.1 | 13.7% | 10.6% | 64.4% | 1966 | $1,933 | 52.9% | 93.9% | 0.0% |
| Centerville | 2.43 | 48.2 | 7.2% | 19.2% | 20.7% | 1976 | $2,318 | 39.5% | 96.8% | 4.2% |
| Barnstable | 2.53 | 52.2 | 4.1% | 9.9% | 27.2% | 1970 | $2,425 | 62.1% | 94.5% | 1.0% |
| West Yarmouth | 2.14 | 52.6 | 9.2% | 20.7% | 29.5% | 1974 | $1,541 | 33.4% | 92.7% | 5.5% |
| Osterville | 2.34 | 55.7 | 10.9% | 6.7% | 34.7% | 1978 | $2,196 | 61.7% | 98.3% | 2.5% |
| Yarmouth Port | 2.16 | 57.7 | 6.7% | 8.2% | 18.3% | 1980 | $1,993 | 53.8% | 97.0% | 3.2% |
| West Barnstable | 2.56 | 48.0 | 7.5% | 12.5% | 13.9% | 1986 | $1,626 | 53.3% | 99.0% | 3.3% |
| South Yarmouth | 2.07 | 55.9 | 8.2% | 21.8% | 31.3% | 1970 | $1,783 | 38.5% | 95.1% | 7.6% |
| Marstons Mills | 2.52 | 46.0 | 4.9% | 4.9% | 10.8% | 1982 | $2,377 | 41.9% | 95.2% | 3.0% |
| West Dennis | 2.04 | 61.1 | 7.7% | 27.4% | 49.4% | 1965 | $1,760 | 42.9% | 95.0% | 1.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Pitahaya, PR · Scott, LA · Schwenksville, PA · Commerce, GA · Sayville, NY · Coto de Caza, CA · Rocky Mount, VA · Country Walk, FL · Duxbury, MA · Senoia, GA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Barnstable Town. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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