1st Advantage MortgageAbout 81% of Barnstable County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $95,241. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Barnstable County at a glance
- What Barnstable County households earn
- Work, industries and travel time in Barnstable County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Barnstable County
- The communities that make up Barnstable County
- Regional comparison for Barnstable County
- Who lives in Barnstable County, in numbers
- Reading the Barnstable County data as a borrower
- What a median Barnstable County budget can carry
- A Barnstable County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Barnstable County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Barnstable County at a glance
Barnstable County is home to about 231,668 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 9th most populous of 14 county-level areas in Massachusetts. It covers 394 square miles of land, or about 588 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Barnstable Town, MA metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 46 places in the county (7 incorporated, 39 census-designated); the largest is Barnstable Town, with about 49,568 residents, or 21% of the county.
What Barnstable County households earn
The median household income in Barnstable County is $95,241; statewide it is $103,960, so Barnstable County runs 8% below Massachusetts as a whole.
| Households earning | Barnstable County | +/- vs Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.2% | -1.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 34.9% | +4.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.7% | +0.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 18.2% | -4.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 48% of Barnstable County households make $100,000 or more, and 17% make less than $35,000. Census counts 7.7% of Barnstable County residents in poverty, against 10.0% across Massachusetts. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.479 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Barnstable County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Work, industries and travel time in Barnstable County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 15%. The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 9% locally and 6% for Massachusetts. The survey's unemployment rate for Barnstable County averages 5.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.2%). Long commutes are the exception here: 13% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Barnstable County | Gap to Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.4% | -3.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 15.0% | -0.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | +2.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.4% | +2.9 pts |
| Construction | 9.5% | +3.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.2% | -1.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Rent, home values and ownership in Barnstable County
Renters in Barnstable County pay a median of $1,678 a month, 5% below the Massachusetts figure of $1,762. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 60% of renter households here. Home values center on $629,000, or 6.6 years of median income. The ownership rate is 81%. The median home was built in 1977, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Barnstable County | Massachusetts | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,678/mo | $1,762/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $629,000 | $562,100 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 60% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 37% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 0.8% | 0.8% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Barnstable County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
The communities that make up Barnstable County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 46 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 97% of Barnstable County residents live in one of the 46. New Seabury has the highest median household income on the list ($212,750) and West Yarmouth the lowest ($65,841), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Pocasset ($687) and steepest in New Seabury ($3,146). This guide covers each of the 46 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | city | 49,568 | $91,982 | $1,917 | 10 mi |
| Yarmouth | town | 25,224 | $86,039 | $1,721 | 4 mi |
| Mashpee | town | 15,384 | $95,299 | $1,776 | 18 mi |
| Harwich | town | 13,598 | $96,966 | $2,017 | 5 mi |
| South Yarmouth | CDP | 11,552 | $82,188 | $1,806 | 3 mi |
| East Falmouth | CDP | 6,245 | $81,464 | $2,116 | 22 mi |
| West Yarmouth | CDP | 6,194 | $65,841 | $1,470 | 6 mi |
| Yarmouth Port | CDP | 5,961 | $110,304 | $1,917 | 3 mi |
| Eastham | town | 5,811 | $72,992 | $1,747 | 13 mi |
| East Harwich | CDP | 5,654 | $111,508 | $2,329 | 7 mi |
| Wellfleet | town | 4,404 | $117,938 | $1,563 | 16 mi |
| Sagamore | CDP | 4,072 | $108,315 | $2,123 | 20 mi |
| Falmouth | CDP | 3,954 | $68,227 | $1,173 | 25 mi |
| Northwest Harwich | CDP | 3,932 | $107,730 | $2,486 | 3 mi |
Regional comparison for Barnstable County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (29 to 59 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Barnstable County; Nantucket County is highest at $139,688 and Bristol County lowest at $85,625. The list crosses into Rhode Island, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable County | - | $95,241 | $1,678/mo | 81% |
| Nantucket County, MA | 29 mi | $139,688 | $2,213/mo | 72% |
| Plymouth County, MA | 35 mi | $114,201 | $1,747/mo | 78% |
| Dukes County, MA | 36 mi | $125,786 | $1,277/mo | 82% |
| Bristol County, MA | 48 mi | $85,625 | $1,245/mo | 62% |
| Bristol County, RI | 58 mi | $114,490 | $1,528/mo | 72% |
| Newport County, RI | 59 mi | $103,514 | $1,713/mo | 68% |
Who lives in Barnstable County, in numbers
Degree holders: 48% of adults over 25. 2.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Barnstable County | Massachusetts | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 55.4 | 40.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 48.2% | 47.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.8% | 8.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.7% | 2.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.4% | 11.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.0% | 18.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.7% | 10.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | 5.2% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 34.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.3% |
| 60+ min | 8.4% |
Reading the Barnstable County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Barnstable County borrowers.
- Retirees. At a median age of 55.4, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Consolidation math. With 48% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Rent squeeze. 60% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
What a median Barnstable County budget can carry
Here is the Barnstable County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $95,241 a year is $7,937 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $1,678 uses 21%
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,497 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Barnstable County's.
A Barnstable County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Barnstable County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Barnstable County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Massachusetts borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Barnstable County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Barnstable County resident can confirm its license with the Massachusetts Division of Banks. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Massachusetts guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Massachusetts guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Barnstable County earn?
The median is $95,241; 48% earn $100,000 or more and 17% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Barnstable County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,678 against $1,762 statewide, and 60% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Barnstable County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 46 Census places: Barnstable Town, Yarmouth, Mashpee, Harwich, South Yarmouth.
Will a Barnstable County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Massachusetts as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Barnstable County?
Start with the Massachusetts Division of Banks, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.