In 70 years - from 1920 to 1990 - the population of Barnstable County grew sevenfold, exceeding 50% growth in the decades of the 1950's and 1970's. Between 1980 and 1990, Cape population grew by 26% (from 147,925 to 186,605), following Dukes County's 30%.
By 1997, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates issued in March 1998, Cape population was 205,128, just 272 short of the total projected for the year 2000 by the Massachusetts Institute for Social and Economic Research (MISER). Barnstable County continued to lead the 12 mainland Massachusetts counties with its 9.9% growth rate from 186,605 in 1990, exceeded only by the growth rates of the two islands: Nantucket's estimated 24.9% (from 6,012 in 1990 to 7,508 in 1997) and Dukes County's 16.7% (from 11,639 in 1990 to 13,578 in 1997).
As the only Massachusetts county where resident deaths outnumbered births between 1990 and 1997, Barnstable County offset that net loss with the highest net in
migration of residents of all 14 Massachusetts counties. The Cape's net in-migration estimate of 20,157 was more than triple neighboring Plymouth County's 6,654. Between 1980 and 1990, Barnstable County also claimed the highest in-migration rate in Massachusetts.
Population growth throughout Massachusetts between 1980 and 1990 amounted to 279,388 or 5%. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated Statewide population at 6,117,520 in 1997, increasing by 101,095 or 1.7% since 1990.
The town of Barnstable has the largest population of the 15 Cape Cod communities with 40,949 residents in 1990, 22% of the Barnstable County total, and it added the most new residents (10,051) between 1980 and 1990. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the town population at 43,699 in 1996, a net gain of 2,750 (+ 7%) since 1990, second highest gain of the 351 Massachusetts cities and towns (following Franklin's 4,569).
Highest percentage growth from 1990 among Cape towns occurred in Sandwich at 16% (from 15,489 to 17,916), according to the 1996 Census Bureau estimates.
Between 1980 and 1990, population growth in the town of Mashpee led not only Cape towns but the entire State and probably all of New England, more than doubling (+113%) from 3,700 in 1980 to 7,884 in 1990. The town's in-migration rate also led the Cape and likely the State and New England region, as well. By 1996, Mashpee population was
estimated at 8,935, up 13% since 1990.
The Statewide median in 1990 was 33.6, up 2.5 years over the decade, slightly above the Cape's 2.4.
Viewing the County age distribution in 10-year segments indicates that residents aged 30-something dominate, at 28,981, 16% of the total.
Greatest growth from 1980 to 1990 was evident in the 40-49 age group, with a gain of 10,796, nearly doubling (+86%) to reach 23,352.
Still, as its median age suggests, Barnstable County led its counterparts across the State in 1990 with 22% of its residents aged 65 and over, significantly ahead of second-place Berkshire County's 17% and the Statewide level of 14%.
Cape residents aged 65-74 represented 13% of the total, as in 1980, while the proportion aged 75-84 rose from 6% in 1980 to 7% in 1990, and the 85+ age group remained at 2% of all residents.
By 1996, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated Cape population aged 65+ at 46,137, 22.8% of the total. This growth-rate of 11% in five years led all Massachusetts counties and was nearly double the 6% Statewide rate of elder growth.
The largest proportion of the County's 7,054 nonwhite residents in 1990 was black (2,827), followed by the "other races" category (2,079), American Indian (1,180), and Asian (968). The Hispanic white population totaled 1,595.
Households - those housing units occupied by Cape residents - increased by 19,030 over the decade from 58,556 in 1980 to 77,586 in 1990, a 32.5% gain that led the state's 14 counties. Statewide growth in the number of households was 10.5%.
Within Barnstable County, the town of Barnstable led with 6,934 new housing units over the decade, increasing the town total to 23,370 in 1990. The town of Mashpee led the County in percentage gain, adding 3,420 units and nearly doubling (+95.5%) its 1980 housing total of 3,582 to 7,002 in 1990.
The increase in year-round households followed the same pattern, as the town of Barnstable led the County with 4,587 new households over the decade (raising the total to 16,601 in 1990), while Mashpee registered the highest percentage gain at (+121%), more than doubling the 1980 total to 3,158 in 1990 with the addition of 1,729 new households.
Four Cape towns each issued permits for over 1,000 new homes from 1990 through 1997, half the County total: Falmouth - 1,755, Barnstable - 1,718, Sandwich - 1,345, Mashpee - 1,208. By 1998, housing in the town of Barnstable totaled an estimated 25,088 units, leading all Cape towns with 17% of the County's housing.
The highest percentage growth in housing from 1990 through 1997 occurred in the town of Sandwich where approval of 1,345 new homes increased housing stock by 19%, more than double the Capewide housing-growth rate. The neighboring town of Mashpee had the second-highest Cape housing-growth rate at 17%, with addition of an estimated 1,208 units since 1990.
From 1990 through 1997, Cape towns issued permits for an average of 1,500 new homes annually, led by Falmouth's annual average of 219 new-home approvals and Barnstable's 215.
The median price of Cape home sales in 1997 was $129,900 (compared with $148,000 Statewide), and Provincetown led Cape towns with a median price of $220,000 for 105 sales.
Statewide home sales increased by 3,916 (5%) from 1996 to 1997, and the 1,127 increase in Cape home sales led the State's 14 counties with more than one-fourth (29%) of the State gain. Home sales increased from 1996 to 1997 in all 15 Cape towns and in all but four of the State's counties (Nantucket, Plymouth, Franklin and Hampshire), per County Data Corporation.
The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® reported 4,185 home sales through the Cape Cod and Islands Multiple Listing Service, up 13.4% from 3.691 in 1996 and ahead of the Statewide gain of 11.3% in Realtors'® home sales.
Cape Realtors'® home sales prices averaged $178,191 in 1997, and the 5.2% gain from $169,328 in 1996 topped the Statewide increase and led all 7 State regions. Realtors'® home sales throughout the State averaged $200,147 in 1997, 3.8% over $192,804 in 1996.
Over half (53%) of Cape Realtors'® home sales in 1997 fell below $140,000 (33% between $100,000 and $140,000 and 20% below $100,000), with another 24% between $140,000 and $200,000, and the final 23% over $200,000.
For the sixth consecutive year, private-sector employment represented 85% of the Cape total in 1996. Across the State, private-sector employment amounted to 87% of all employment reported to the DET.
Overall Cape 1996 employment levels ranged 35% between seasonal extremes: 66,602 in January and 89,710 in July.
State employment records indicated a total of 7,914 public and private-sector employers in Barnstable County in 1996.
The largest share of Cape Cod employment was in the Service industry, with nearly one-third of the annual average at 24,733, followed closely by Retail Trade's 24,363.
The Service industry had the largest share of employers (2,715, over one-third of the total for all industries) and its $608-million payroll topped all industries, at one-third of the 1996 total.
Employers of 1,000+
Leading the 13 Cape industries with employment of 1,000 or more, the 755 Eating and Drinking Places in Barnstable County employed 9,873, increasing two and one-half times from 6,112 in January to 15,337 in July.
The County's second-place employer was the umbrella category of Local Government, whose 174 units employed 8,211 personnel in 1996, over half (54%) of them staffing 30 Elementary and Secondary schools.
The Cape's 158 Grocery Stores employed the third highest number at 3,565, while 315 Cape Hotels and Motels ranked fourth in 1996, averaging 3,382 employees, more than tripling from 1,706 in January to 5,373 in July.
Fifth-highest Cape employment was concentrated in 35 Nursing and Personal Care Facilities at 2,732, followed by 4 Cape Hospitals with 2,327.
In seventh place, 29 Home Health Care Services employed 2,046, while 315 Cape Miscellaneous Shopping Goods Stores (gift and specialty shops including bookstores and retailers of photographic supplies) ranked eighth in 1996 with a collective staff of 2,028, ranging 59% from 1,587 in February to 2,519 in August.
The Federal Government was the ninth-largest Cape employer in 1996, with 1,812 personnel in 95 units, over half of them Post Offices collectively averaging 490 employees.
Tenth-highest Cape employment in 1996 was in 39 Research and Testing Services establishments, averaging 1,348.
State Government was the Cape's eleventh-largest employer in 1996, averaging 1,298 in 12 units, including 525 employed at three College and Health Service sites and 754 in eight offices related to Court Administration and Transportation Regulation and Administration.
In twelfth place, 133 Miscellaneous Amusement, Recreation Services employed 1,222 in such enterprises as physical fitness facilities, public golf courses, coin-operated amusement establishments, membership sports and recreation clubs, miniature golf courses and skating rinks.
The Cape's 170 Medical Doctors' Offices and Clinics ranked thirteenth with 1,143 employees in 1996.
Industries with 1995-96 Employment Growth of 100+
Average employment increased by more than 100 in six Cape industries between 1995 and 1996, according to DET data.
The 10 employers in the Scheduled Air Transportation industry added the most employees from 1995 to 1996, more than doubling with the addition of 274 to reach 495, netting a 124% gain that also marked the highest percentage growth of any Cape industry.
Local Government followed, adding 243 employees between 1995 and 1996, while Hospitals added 132, Nursing and Personal Care Facilities 129, Eating and Drinking Places another 108, and Miscellaneous Special Trade Contractors 102.
Industries with 1995-96 Employment Growth over 20%
Employment growth from 1995 to 1996 exceeded 20% in 11 Cape industries, led by the 124% gain in Scheduled Air Transportation employment. Personnel Supply Services employment also doubled (+110%) with the addition of 86 employees to 1995's 78 to reach 164 in 1996.
In third place, employment at Fruit and Vegetable Markets increased 52% from 140 in 1995 to 213 in 1996, followed by the 41.5% growth in Video Tape Rental employment to 116 in 1996 and 41% gain in Wholesale Electrical Goods workers to 117 in 1996.
Sixth-highest employment growth between 1995 and 1996 occurred in Candy Stores where the 38% increase led to 121 jobs in 1996. With the seventh-highest growth rate among Cape industries, Special Trade Contractors's 401 jobs were up 34% from 299 in 1995.
Local/Suburban Transportation employment increased 25% to earn eighth place at 115 in 1996, while School Buses employed 24% more at 391 in 1996 in ninth place.
In tenth place, eight Fruit-growers, likely dominated by the cranberry industry, added 23% more workers to total 49 in 1996, followed by another indigenous industry - Water Transportation Services - whose 22% job-growth contributed to 1996 employment of 339.
Nonagricultural employment in the Barnstable-Yarmouth Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) which encompasses 10 of the 15 Cape towns (without Bourne, Falmouth, Provincetown, Truro and Wellfleet) increased 3% from 53,900 in 1995 to 55,600 in 1996, ahead of the Statewide 2% gain and second among the State's 10 MSA's, following the 3.4% growth rate of the Lawrence-Haverhill Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Besides the 77,332 jobs detailed above that are within Barnstable County but not necessarily held by residents, another 9,766 County residents were self-employed in 1990, according to the U.S. Census, an increase of 53% from 6,388 in 1980. Further, the Census indicated the number of Cape residents who commuted to work outside the County nearly doubled (+ 77%) from 5,893 in 1980 to 10,446 in 1990, representing 13% of the 81,779 Cape residents who reported that they worked in late March or early April, 1990.
Mean household income in the County derived from self-employment was $25,409 (with Bourne leading at $31,711), ahead of the $23,101 Statewide mean. Sixteen percent of Cape households had self-employment income (highest in Wellfleet at 30%), in comparison with 13% Statewide.
Mean household retirement income was $11,208 in Barnstable County (led by Truro's $14,698), above the Statewide mean of $8,571. One-fourth of Cape households received retirement income (led by Dennis and Orleans at 32%), in contrast to 16% Statewide.
The County's mean household income derived from Social Security was $8,340(topped by Chatham at $9,361), exceeding the $7,649 Statewide mean. Thirty-eight percent of Cape households received Social Security income (topped by Chatham at 51%), while the Statewide proportion was 27%.
Mean household income in the County derived from Public Assistance was $4,742 (highest in Sandwich at $7,675), also above the $4,711 Statewide mean. Six percent of Cape households received Public Assistance income (highest in Wellfleet at 10%), below the Statewide 8%.
Cape per capita income increased 121% from 1979 to 1989, while the Statewide gain was 131%.
Orleans led Cape per capita income for the third consecutive decade at $19,249 in 1989, while Brewster registered the highest growth rate from 1979 at 151%.
Total Personal Income includes the Earnings (wages and salaries, other labor income, proprietors' income), Dividends, Interest, and Rent, and Transfer Payments received by Barnstable County residents.
In 1996, Cape residents' Earnings amounted to 52.7% of the region's Total Personal Income; Dividends, Interest, and Rent 27.4%; and Transfer Payments (retirement and other income from government and business for which no services were rendered during the year) 20.0%.
From 1995 to 1996, Earnings increased 6.7%, Dividends, Interest, and Rent 6.8%, and Transfer Payments 5.2%.
Earnings By Industry
Earnings by persons employed in Barnstable County increased from $2.6 billion in 1995 to $2.7 billion in 1996, an increase of 5.8%.
The largest industries in 1996 were Services at 35.9 % of earnings; Retail Trade at 18.4%; and State and Local Government at 12.3%.
Of the industries with 5% of Cape earnings or more in 1996, the slowest growth from 1995 was the 4.2% rate of Transportation and Public Utilities (at 5.7% of Cape earnings in 1996), while Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (with 6.1% of Cape earnings) claimed the highest earnings growth at 10.4%.
Food stores led, with 267 establishments reporting sales of $493.1 million, while the County 72 automotive dealers followed with sales of $311.7 million. The County's 698 eating and drinking places reported 1992 sales of $299.3 million.
Census Bureau analysis of retail sales 10 years earlier ranked Barnstable County 20th among the 3,139 U.S. counties in both 1982 retail sales per capita and, more specifically, per capita sales in eating and drinking places.
Health services led Cape service industries with receipts of $248.3 million, up 60% from $155.1 million in 1987, followed by the lodging industry at $158.5 million, 10% ahead of its $144.2-million total in 1987.
Valuations increased from 1994 to 1996 in all Cape towns except Yarmouth (down 4%), Barnstable and Dennis (both down 1%) and Mashpee (down 0.13%). All Cape town valuations increased over the decade, led by Truro's 108% gain from $289 million in 1986 to $600 million in 1996.
PROPERTY TAX RATES
Municipal property tax rates in Barnstable County in Fiscal Year 1998 (July 1, 1997 - June 30, 1998) ranged from $7.78 in Truro to $15.98 in Sandwich, with the Barnstable tax rate not yet available. In Fiscal Year 1997, the Statewide average was $16.93.
The average municipal property tax bill in Fiscal Year 1997 (July 1, 1996 - June 30, 1997) for single-family homes in the County ranged from $1,118 in Dennis to $2,256 in Sandwich. The corresponding 1997 Statewide average, representing 339 reporting communities, was $2,032.
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