Barnstable County
MA · Pop. 230,073 · Urban County
Barnstable County sits in Massachusetts across 394 square miles, home to 230,073 people at 583.9 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, lettuce, potatoes. The median home price is $576,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.71%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.2°F and average winter lows of 24.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Cape Cod Hospital is 6.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.71% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Cape Cod Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 6.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 47.7 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 7.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A median home price of $576,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 583.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Barnstable County, MA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 42/100
- Median home price
- $576k
- Property tax
- 0.71%
- Growing season
- 183 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.7"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Cape Cod Hospital, 6.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Barnstable County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Barnstable County?
- Barnstable County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.2°F, and average winter lows of 24.7°F. The established crops are hay, lettuce, potatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $576,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.71%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cape Cod Hospital is 6.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Massachusetts Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Massachusetts
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The closest counties to Barnstable County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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