 Cape Cod Year-Round Population
The population on Cape Cod can very quite a bit during the summer months. The following list breaks down the year-round population size by town, beginning with the most populous. Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2016 population estimates. Keep in mind that communities with higher populations generally tend to offer more services and community amenities. - Barnstable 44,498
- Falmouth 31,544
- Yarmouth 23,548
- Sandwich 20,508
- Bourne 19,780
- Mashpee 14,080
- Dennis 14,067
- Harwich 12,167
- Brewster 9,879
- Chatham 6,142
- Orleans 5,847
- Eastham 4,924
- Wellfleet 3,168
- Provincetown 2,962
- Truro 1,589
In terms of regions, the Upper Cape (Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich) is the most populous with 40% of the population. The Mid-Cape (Barnstable, Dennis, Yarmouth) is close behind with 38% of the Cape's population. The Lower Cape and Outer Cape (Brewster, Chatham, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet) is the least populous with 22% of the population.  Cape Cod Summer Population
During the summer, the population of Cape Cod jumps from about 220,000 to over 500,000 because of vacationers in the region. Provincetown is one of the most popular summer destinations, with a summer population often reaching as high as 60,000, a significant jump from its year-round population of 2,962. If you're looking for a summer home, Provincetown would put you in close proximity to other vacationers. However, if you're looking to avoid tourists, it might be best to look in the Upper Cape and Mid-Cape, or in less popular parts of the Outer Cape, such as Truro. Local Tip: Hyannis is where ferries leave for Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
Cape Cod School Districts
Niche.com recently ranked the best public high schools in the entire state of Massachusetts. Four schools on Cape Cod made their top 100 list. These schools were Nauset Regional High School in North Eastham (ranked 32), Sturgis Charter Public School in Hyannis (ranked 44), Martha's Vineyard Regional High School in Oak Bluffs (ranked 51), and Barnstable High School in Hyannis (ranked 80). Local Tip: Cape Cod has over 25 private schools for preschool through high school.
The majority of Cape Cod schools, particularly private schools, can be found in Barnstable and Hyannis, including the prestigious Sturgis Charter Public School. Nauset Regional High School in North Eastham and Sturgis Charter Public High School in Hyannis are consistently ranked among the top high schools in Massachusetts. Both high schools are ranked among U.S. News and World Report’s list of best public high schools in the country.
| Proximity to Boston Traveling by car from Cape Cod to Boston is about a two-hour drive, making it easy to go on a quick weekend getaway or a day trip. Drivers must cross either the Bourne Bridge or the Sagamore Bridge to reach Cape Cod. The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce suggests these travel tips to get back and forth. The Cape Cod Regional Transit offers year-round bus service, seasonal shuttle service, and door-to-door ride by appointment service to get you to Boston as well. You can ferry to the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket aboard gorgeous cruise ships like the Island Queen or travel from Provincetown all the way to Boston by ship aboard Boston Harbor Cruises or Bay State Cruise Company. Local Tip: The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce suggests driving to the Cape via the Bourne Bridge (pictured below) instead of the Sagamore. About 25 percent fewer cars use the Bourne Bridge annually.
Proximity to BeachesOne of the many perks of living on Cape Cod is access to the beach pretty much wherever you are. Not all Cape Cod beaches are the same, however. For example, southside beaches facing Nantucket Sound are ideal for surfers, with waters warmed by the Gulf Stream. Beaches along Buzzards Bay are ideal for those cherished long walks on the beach, but they may have parking restrictions for residents in the warm seasons. The northern area of Cape Cod Bay has beaches with lots of pebbles mixed in the sand and calm, temperate waves. The Sandwich area in particular is known for its pebbled beaches if this is more your style. Alternatively, beaches in the Upper Cape offer a family-friendly option with calm water, fresh ponds, and sandy beaches. Local Tip: Cape Cod National Seashore is a Cape Cod treasure. Created in 1961 by President Kennedy, it preserves about 40 miles of beachfront along the eastern shore facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Cape Cod Recreation Cape Cod has nearly 600 miles of coastline, which makes it an excellent spot for recreational activities like swimming, surfing, sailing, snorkeling, and kayaking. Whale watching is a popular activity along Stellwagen Bank, with Provincetown providing you with the greatest access. Cape Cod is also home to 27 public golf courses and 15 private courses all throughout the area. Hyannis is home to the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame and Museum if you're a fan of America's favorite pastime, while historic lighthouses are also available for tours. Local Tip: The Cape Cod Rail Trail is paved and generally flat with just a few hills. A wide unpaved shoulder to one side accommodates horseback riders, runners, and walkers.
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