Harwich, MA is a small town located about 15 miles east of Cape Cod. It is bordered by nearby communities like Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Orleans, Bourne, Eastham, Mashpee, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, and Yarmouth.
The area of Harwich was established in 1670 by European settlers and was first considered to be part of Yarmouth. It quickly became a popular location for fishing and farming industries as the community was incorporated into a town in 1694. While the area is now partially geared toward tourism, it is still considered a great place to live.
Harwich was named after the town in Essex, England that Captain Christopher Jones departed from on the Mayflower for his voyage to the New World (America).
The town of Harwich is best known for being a beloved vacation destination due to its close proximity to the Cape Cod National Seashore.
A few of the most notable people who have lived in Harwich include abolitionist Jonathan Walker, television journalist Seth Doane, and the creator of Napster Shawn Fanning.
Is Harwich a good place to live? Learn about all the benefits of moving to Harwich including local attractions, the top neighborhoods, and other helpful information.
Table of Contents
1. People Living in Harwich, MA – Population & Demographics
How many people live in Harwich? Newcomers relocating to Harwich often move there to retire or to enjoy living in a safe, comfortable community. The Harwich population is 12,167 residents with a median age of 56 years old.
Statistics show that Harwich demographics consist of 94% Caucasian, 2% Hispanic or Latino, 2% Black or African American, and 1% Asian. There is a bit of a difference in the gender ratio with about 54% female and 46% male. The median household income in Harwich is $69,730 per year.
Is Harwich safe? The crime rate in Harwich is 78% lower than the national average and violent crime is 69% lower than average. Residents living in Harwich only have a 1 in 186 chance of becoming a victim of crime. Harwich is a safe place to live!
There are about 35 police officers on the force in the Harwich Police Department who serve and protect the people living there.
2. Cost of Living in Harwich, MA
How much does it cost to live in Harwich, MA? The average cost of living in Harwich is 29% higher than the national average and about 2% higher than the Massachusetts state average. You will likely find lower prices for local transportation, but you should also expect to pay more for other expenses like healthcare, groceries, home utilities, and the Harwich real estate market.
The homeownership rate in Harwich is 78.5% with most residents buying their homes and condos. When looking at Harwich, MA homes for sale, you’ll find plenty of great options in comfortable communities.
The average price of a home in Harwich is $554,000, which is a median sale price of $361 per square foot. There is a Harwich property tax rate of 0.800%, which equals about $4,432 per year for a home that costs $554,000.
Around 22% of people residing in Harwich rent instead of buying. The average price of rent in Harwich ranges between $2,100 to $6,300 per month depending on the location and nearby amenities.
3. Harwich Neighborhoods
Where should you live in Harwich? Split up into four main areas, you’ll find safe neighborhoods in Harwich at:
- East Harwich
- Harwich Center
- Harwich Port
- Northwest Harwich
The city of Harwich operates more than 20 beaches and 3 local parks including Bells Neck Park, Great Western Road Park, and Seaside Park. These locations are all managed and maintained by the Harwich Recreation and Youth Department.
If you’re looking for convenient shopping in Harwich, top-rated options are available at places like Whole Foods, Target, and Dennisport Plaza.
Residents can also take the ferry from Harwich Port to Nantucket, which offers great shopping and other local attractions. If you ever need to get from Harwich to Boston, the trip is about 84 miles and takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
4. Harwich, MA Weather & Climate
The humid continental climate in Harwich offers residents cool, mild summers followed by freezing, wet winters.
There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy throughout the town no matter what time of year it is. The average temperature in Harwich is between the mid-60s and upper 70s during summer. While wintertime dips the temps down into the mid-30s during the day and low 20s at night.
The weather in Harwich also brings an average of 48 inches of rain per year and 25 inches of annual snowfall.
5. Things to Do in Harwich
People moving to Harwich will find a great variety of local places to visit, top-rated attractions, and fun things to do around town
Bud’s Go-Karts
Bud’s Go-Karts is a can’t miss thing to do in Harwich that has been putting smiles on visitors’ faces for more than 50 years. The go-kart track is open seasonally and offers a great time for people of all ages.
Bud’s Go-Karts, 9 Sisson Rd, Harwich, MA 02645 (508) 432-4964
Grand Slam Entertainment
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Some of the best activities in Harwich are available at Grand Slam Entertainment, an outdoor venue. This popular attraction offers everything from bumper boats and batting cages to a zip line, a rock-climbing wall, and much more.
Grand Slam Entertainment, 322 Main St – Rte 28, Harwich Port, MA 02646 (508) 430-1155
Additional Harwich Attractions
- Bank Street Beach, 16 Bank St, Harwich Port, MA 02646
- Monomoy Island Excursions, 731 MA-28, Harwich Port, MA 02646
6. Harwich Restaurants
There are numerous restaurants in Harwich that offer options for every palate and every craving.
Brax Landing Restaurant
Brax Landing Restaurant is one of Harwich’s top places to eat with a rustic, laid-back atmosphere. Diners can enjoy a view of the harbor as they choose from a menu of burgers, sandwiches, scallops, chicken parmesan, steamed lobster, swordfish, ribs, and more.
Brax Landing Restaurant,705 MA-28, Harwich Port, MA 02646 (508) 432-5515
Ruggie’s Breakfast and Lunch
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As one of the top restaurants in Harwich, Ruggie’s Breakfast and Lunch is an easygoing cafe with a fantastic menu. They offer a mouthwatering selection of sandwiches, chicken & waffles, bratwurst, and plenty of breakfast items as well.
Ruggie’s Breakfast and Lunch, 707 Main St, Harwich, MA 02645 (508) 432-0625
7. Jobs in Harwich
The average salary in Harwich is $59,000 per year. The town has a state income tax rate of 5.0%. The current unemployment rate in Harwich is 4.9%.
Harwich jobs are available with some great companies both locally and in nearby areas. A few of the best places to work in Harwich include:
- US Coast Guard
- Bayada Home Health Care
- TD Ameritrade
- Cape Air
8. Harwich Schools
Making up about 15% of the population, there are about 1,897 kids between the ages of 0 and 18 years old. While it is mainly a destination for older couples, Harwich is an excellent place for families to live.
Local schools in Harwich are within the trusted Monomoy Regional School District. The top Harwich schools for students in the area are:
- Harwich Elementary School
- Monomoy Regional High School
- Cape Cod Region Vocational Technical
The nearest colleges and universities to Harwich include Massachusetts Maritime Academy as well as the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth.
Students and other people living in Harwich have full access to the public Brooks Free Library.
9. Harwich Statistics & Information
Located along the southeastern side of Barnstable County, Harwich has a geographic area of about 33.1 square miles. Addresses in Harwich have zip codes of 02633, 02639, 02645, 02646, or 02671. The local area code is 508.
The local time zone in Harwich is Eastern Standard Time (EST), though it changes to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during daylight savings time.
The elevation in Harwich is 55 feet above sea level.
Map of Harwich, MA
Use this convenient Harwich map to discover even more local activities, popular restaurants, and other great things to do around town.
Tips for Living in Harwich
- Consider whether relocating to Harwich is right for you based on the median age of 56 years old.
- There are plenty of safe and comfortable neighborhoods in Harwich to be found.
- Since the weather in Harwich drops to freezing temperatures in wintertime, always keep warm gear handy as the seasons change.
Moving to Harwich, MA
You’ll find plenty of reasons why relocating to Harwich is a great idea. If you’re thinking about making this pleasant town your new home, turn to the dependable Harwich movers here at Vanguard Moving Services to assist you! Give us a call today at (508) 000-0000 or fill out the Request a Quote form on this page for a free moving estimate!
