The demographics of Barnstable City show that the population is mostly white with just a few Hispanic and Asian residents. The median household income is $59,469, and the percentage of college-educated households is 78%. Almost half of the population lives in households with children.
The Town has been working on using its Town-owned land to build affordable housing. Recently, the Growth Management Department has reviewed the availability of surplus town-owned property. The Department should continue to pursue development of public land and work with private landowners to obtain land donations.
Despite the city's efforts to promote smart growth and better integrate affordable housing, the town's ordinance presents obstacles to these efforts. The current housing supply in the city isn't enough to meet the needs of its residents. The town will need to reform its affordable housing ordinance or issue "friendly" comprehensive permits to encourage new development. The town's growth rate has been steadily increasing for many years, and the Town is working to keep up with the demand for housing.
Barnstable County is experiencing significant housing growth and density increases. Compared to other parts of the state, Barnstable is experiencing a slower housing growth rate. However, the overall population density is higher than the county average.