Barnstable County, Massachusetts Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 9th-largest in Massachusetts
The population of Barnstable County, Massachusetts is 230,073 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 9th-largest county in Massachusetts. The median household income is $94,452, the median home value is $575,900, and the median age is 55.1.
The population of Barnstable County has grown 7.7% since 2010 (215,909 → 232,570), a +0.53% annualized rate.
230,073
Population
+0.53%
Annual growth
584
People / sq mi
$94,452
Median Income
$575,900
Median Home Value
Barnstable County covers 394 sq mi of land at 583.6 people per square mile.
About Barnstable County, MA
Barnstable County skews on age — the median resident is 55.1, older than the national median. With 230,073 residents, Barnstable County is a county in Massachusetts. That makes it one of the ten largest counties in Massachusetts in the country, at #9 by population.
Income is a real outlier — the median household pulls in $94,452, putting Barnstable County near the top of US counties. Hardship is rare relative to US counties: a poverty rate of just 4.1%, below the national 12.4%. Real estate commands a premium here — a median home value of $575,900, with typical rent around $1,596.
The population is unusually well-credentialed for US counties — 47.4% of adults have a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. A solid 14.6% of workers are based at home, close to the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 25 minutes each way.
The age structure shapes everything downstream in Barnstable County — from housing demand to the mix of working-age earners reflected in the income figures above.
Barnstable County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Barnstable County had a population of 215,909 in 2010 and 232,570 in 2024, a 7.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 232,759 in 2023. Average annual growth rate: 0.55%.
232,570
Population (2024)
215,909
Population (2010)
232,759
Peak (2023)
0.55%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 215,909 |
| 2011 | 215,389 |
| 2012 | 214,854 |
| 2013 | 214,609 |
| 2014 | 214,398 |
| 2015 | 214,015 |
| 2016 | 213,805 |
| 2017 | 213,856 |
| 2018 | 213,779 |
| 2019 | 212,923 |
| 2020 | 228,060 |
| 2021 | 232,379 |
| 2022 | 232,571 |
| 2023 | 232,759 |
| 2024 | 232,570 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 87.0% |
| Black or African American | 2.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
55.1
Median Age
51.8%
Female
48.2%
Male
32.2%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 11.6% · Seniors (65+): 32.2%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $94,452$-6,889 vs state |
| Mean household income | $132,436 |
| Per-capita income | $60,325 |
| Poverty rate | 4.1%-2.5% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% |
| Employment-to-population | 56.2% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Barnstable County is professional & business services, accounting for 24.4% of workers.
How residents commute
1.2%
Drive alone
1.7%
Carpool
74.2%
Public transit
14.6%
Work from home
25.4 min
Avg commute
Housing
$575,900+$50,100 vs state
Median home value
$1,596
Median rent
80.6%
Homeownership rate
165,661
Total housing units
62.2%
Occupied
37.8%
Vacant
19.4%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
97.2%
With health insurance
96.4%
With broadband internet
29.4%
Foreign-born
7.6%
Veterans (18+)
14.3%
With a disability
89.3%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
96.4%
High School+
47.4%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Massachusetts
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Barnstable County, Massachusetts has a population of 230,073 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 9th-largest county in Massachusetts. Population density is 584 people per square mile.
The population of Barnstable County has grown 7.7% since 2010 (215,909 → 232,570), a +0.53% annualized rate.
The median household income in Barnstable County, Massachusetts is $94,452, with mean (average) household income of $132,436 and per-capita income of $60,325. 4.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Barnstable County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (87.0%), Black or African American (2.7%), Hispanic or Latino (1.4%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Barnstable County, Massachusetts is 55.1 years. Residents are 51.8% female and 48.2% male.
The median home value in Barnstable County is $575,900 and median monthly rent is $1,596. 80.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 165,661 total housing units, 37.8% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Barnstable County, Massachusetts is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 24.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.7%.
Boston is among the largest cities associated with Barnstable County, Massachusetts, with a population of 663,972.
Barnstable County, MA Climate
Barnstable County, MA has an average annual temperature of 9.9°C (50°F) and receives about 1104 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
9.9°C
Avg Temp
1104
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | -1° / 30° | 93 mm |
| February | 0° / 31° | 92 mm |
| March | 3° / 38° | 94 mm |
| April | 8° / 46° | 94 mm |
| May | 13° / 55° | 89 mm |
| June | 18° / 64° | 80 mm |
| July | 21° / 70° | 76 mm |
| August | 21° / 69° | 82 mm |
| September | 17° / 63° | 89 mm |
| October | 12° / 53° | 96 mm |
| November | 7° / 45° | 110 mm |
| December | 2° / 36° | 109 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Barnstable County, MA
The most comfortable months to visit Barnstable County, MA are typically July, August and June, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 25°C high). The coldest is January (near -5°C low). November is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Barnstable County
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.