Searching for a peaceful seaside town with beautiful ocean views? You should look into moving to Orleans MA. Orleans is a peaceful seaside town in Cape Cod.
Orleans, MA, is known for its beautiful beaches, outdoor activities, and a strong sense of community. With a high percentage of seasonal homes and a median age above the regional average, it appeals to retirees and vacationers alike. Living in Orleans MA also offers affordable housing initiatives and a charming commercial district with shops and restaurants.
It is known for being the only location in the US that was attacked by the Germans during WWII. Pilgrims from the Plymouth Colony originally settled it in 1693.
It was formally incorporated in 1797, having been split off from the neighboring town of Eastham. Settlers named the town after Louis Philipe II, the Duke of Orleans to show appreciation for the French’s support of the American Revolution . The town also didn’t want an English name because the British had taken it over during the war.
Today, Orleans is a great place to live, offering visitors and residents a strong sense of community, low crime, and proximity to the ocean. Here is a complete guide for anyone who wants to know what living in Orleans MA is really like.
Table of Contents
Where Is Orleans MA?
Orleans is in Barnstable County, along Cape Cod. It’s on the “elbow” of Cape Cod, situated between the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Cod Bay, and the Lower Cape Region. The Cape Cod National Seashore is along its coast.
Massachusetts Route 6A and 28 both pass through Orleans, providing transportation to other parts of the Cape for drivers living in Orleans MA. Route 39 also runs along the border to Brewster. Buses operated by the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority make a stop in Orleans and go to Hyannis.
Eastham borders Orleans to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Pleasant Bay and Chatham to the south, Harwich to the southeast, Brewster to the west, and Cape Cod Bay to the northwest.
It’s 27 miles or a 36-minute drive from Orleans MA to Provincetown.
Orleans Population & Demographics
Census data shows that the Orleans population is 6,307 residents. The number of people living in Orleans MA has gradually increased in recent years and went up by 7% between 2010 and 2020. However, it’s still a very spacious atmosphere with a population density of 697.6 people per square mile. There are more year-round residents living in Orleans MA than all of the communities in the outer Cape.
It tends to be an older community, with many retirees living in Orleans MA . The median age is 64.4 years old, and 46% of the Orleans MA population is over 65. It’s also predominantly female, and 66% of people living in Orleans MA are women.
It’s not the most diverse, and 96.8% of the population is white (non-Hispanic). However, 13.% of residents living in Orleans MA are Hispanic or Latino, and 2.4% are two or more races.
Other Orleans demographics:
- The median household income is $76,768, which is about 25% lower than the rest of Massachusetts
- 98.1% of people living in Orleans MA have a high school diploma, and 47.2% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- The foreign-born population is 4.6%
The low crime rate is another major benefit of living in Orleans MA. The total crime rate is 901
crimes per 100,000 people, which is 35.3% lower than the Massachusetts crime rate and 61.2% lower than the rest of the country. The violent crime rate is 52.5% lower than the state and 58.6% lower than the country. Even property crime is 30% lower than the rest of Massachusetts and 61.7% lower than the rest of the US. So, based on the data, Orleans is safe.
The town of Orleans Police Department curbs crime in the community with the assistance of 19 officers and six civilians.
Cost of Living in Orleans MA
The cost of living in Orleans MA is higher than the national average because it is on Cape Cod. The cost of living index is a good resource for understanding the cost of living in a community. It compares the cost of typical consumer goods to the rest of the US on a scale of 100.
According to the Economic Research Institute, the COLI in the nearby city of Barnstable is 121, which means the cost of living in Orleans MA is about 21% more expensive than in the typical US city. The Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator is also a good resource.
It indicates that the typical family of four with two adults and two kids should earn about $140,931 per month to comfortably afford the cost of living in Orleans MA.
Typical expenses of living in Orleans MA
- Meal for 2 at a mid-range restaurant: $120.00
- Regular cappuccino: $5.00
- 1 gallon of milk: $3.82
- 12 oz bottle of water: $1.50
- 1 pound of chicken fillets: $6.26
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.49
- Average Orleans monthly utility bill: $194.73
Source: Numbeo
*Numbers reflect the nearby city of Hyannis but will be similar for anyone living in Orleans MA
Even though it’s on the water, the cost of Orleans, MA, real estate is fairly reasonable. According to Redfin, the median price of homes for sale in Orleans MA is $422,500, which is right on par with the national average. The median price per square foot of homes for sale in Orleans, MA, is $353.
Most residents living in Orleans MA own a home. According to census data, 66% of homes are owner-occupied, and 44% are rented out. However, you can still find options if you’re a tenant moving to Orleans. RentCafe suggests that the average rent in Cape Cod is $1,940 per month. Rent in Orleans starts around $1600 for a studio and goes up to $3200 for two or more bedrooms.
Orleans Neighborhoods | Where To Live in Orleans
Orleans is a small town with few distinct neighborhoods. Most permanent residents living in Orleans MA reside in communities centered around its main beaches, Nauset and Skaket Beach.
It’s sometimes divided into three main villages. The Village Center, or downtown Orleans, MA, is full of quirky shops and delicious restaurants. East Orleans centers around Main Street, two miles from Nauset Beach, while South Orleans sits near the junction of Routes 28 and 39.
The most desirable Orleans real estate tends to be in the south, while the most affordable are in the northwest. But regardless of where you choose to settle down, living in Orleans MA offers a pleasant atmosphere and proximity to the ocean.
Orleans Weather & Climate
The weather in Orleans is fairly standard for what you might expect in any seaside town in New England. According to the Koppen classification system, it has a mild summer and humid continental climate. That means you’re in for mild winters and hot, humid summers if you plan on moving to Orleans.
Expect temperatures in the range of 26°F to 77°F. However, be aware that the winter can get as cold as 14°F, and the summer can get up to 84°F. You’ll typically want to visit someone living in Orleans MA any time from June through September.
You’ll also want to prepare for precipitation. The city averages about 48 inches of rain and 26 inches of snow every year, so remember to pack an umbrella and snow boots.
Things to Do in Orleans
While it is a small town, you’ll still find many fun things to do in Orleans. The Orleans Firebirds, a collegiate summer baseball team, plays their home games at Eldredge Park in Orleans. You’ll encounter plenty of shopping options down at Orleans Marketplace or Orleans Shopping Plaza.
You’ll also find some fun shops in the Village Center, like Earth House and the Salty Crown Boutique. Here are a few of the best things to do in Orleans, MA if you want more entertainment options.
Nauset Beach
Situated on the East side of the Cape on the Atlantic Ocean, Nauset Beach stretches for 10 miles from Nauset Bay to the mouth of Chatham Harbor and makes it a popular destination for swimmers, surfers, and fishermen living in Orleans MA.
250 Beach Rd, Orleans, MA 02653 (508) 240-3780
Academy of Performing Arts
The Academy of Performing Arts is a community theater and art gallery that hosts live performances, dance lessons, music classes, and other events promoting Orleans culture.
120 Main St, Orleans, MA 02653 (508) 255-1963
Charles Moore Arena
Charles Moore Arena is a community ice rink that offers freestyle skating, lessons, hockey games, figure skating, and other fun programs for families living in Orleans MA.
23 O’Connor Rd, Orleans, MA 02653 (508) 255-5902
Additional Orleans MA Attractions
Looking for more recreational activities and fun things to do in Orleans? The local Recreation, Culture, and Community Events Department has a calendar of events open to anyone living in Orleans MA on its website.
Orleans Restaurants
In addition to entertainment options, you’ll also find plenty of restaurants in Orleans, MA, serving delicious food. From seafood to Italian fusion, here are a few of the best places to eat in Orleans MA.
The Rail
With indoor and outdoor seating, a kid’s menu, and an extensive brunch menu and cocktails, The Rail is one of the best restaurants in Orleans, MA, to visit after a day at the beach.
222 Main St, Orleans, MA 02653 (774) 561-2161
La Bella Vita Kitchen and Bar
La Bella Vita is a local Orleans MA restaurant that offers a unique blend of Italian and American cuisine. It has a wide selection of great food, including pizza, steak, and seafood, plus patio seating and a full bar.
2 Academy Pl, Orleans, MA 02653 (774) 316-4454
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Rock Harbor Grill
Rock Harbor Grill is a laidback tavern in a welcoming setting that serves seafood and other classic New England fare, such as lobster mac and cheese or Orleans scampi.
18 Old Colony Way, Orleans, MA 02653 (508) 255-3350
Jobs in Orleans
As a small town that retirees with a modest local economy mainly populate, you won’t find too many jobs in Orleans, Mass. The majority of residents living in Orleans MA work in management occupations (12.37%), office and administrative support (12.33%), or sales jobs (11.81%).
There are plenty of artists living in Orleans MA, and more people in the community work in art, design, or media than in 90% of places in America. The community also has a large population of tech workers, and it has more people who work with math and computers than 95% of towns in the US.
The largest industries in Barnstable County are accommodation and food services, healthcare and social assistance, and retail.
Major employers in Barnstable County that provide Orleans MA jobs:
- Cape Cod Healthcare
- Woods Hole Oceanographic
- Beach House Grill
- Nantucket Airlines
- Commscope
Payscale data indicates that the average hourly rate in Hyannis is $23.81 per hour, while the average salary in Massachusetts is $86,000 per year. So, employees living in Orleans MA can expect to earn about that much, depending on the type of work they do. Although somewhat limited, you can find plenty of fantastic Orleans jobs in exciting roles like production roaster or substitute teacher. Town of Orleans MA jobs with the local government are also available.
Orleans Schools
Families living in Orleans MA will be pleased to hear it offers good schools. It’s within the Nauset Regional School District, along with the neighboring towns of Eastham, Wellfleet, and Brewster. Orleans Elementary School is open to kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. Nauset Middle School, which is also in Orleans, serves students in grades 6th through 8th living in Orleans MA.
Although there are no high schools in Orleans, students in the community may attend either Nauset Regional High School in North Eastham or Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwick. Nauset Regional High is well respected and ranks #69 in Massachusetts with a 96% graduation rate.
Anyone living in Orleans MA can also check out the Snow Library for books and community events.
Orleans Statistics & Information
- Orleans County: Barnstable
- Orleans area: 22.7 square miles
- Orleans zip code: 02643 and 02653
- Orleans area code: 508
- Orleans elevation: 60 ft
- Orleans time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC-4 and -5)
- The closest airport to Orleans: The Cape Cod Gateway Airport (HYA) is 20 miles away.
Orleans MA Map
Explore more activities, attractions, and fun things to do before moving to Orleans with this map.
Excited to Start Living in Orleans MA?
Now that you know all the fantastic benefits of living in Orleans MA, you’re ready to decide if it’s right for you. When you’re ready to relocate to this beautiful seaside community, you can trust the dependable Orleans MA movers at Vanguard Moving Services to make your relocation easy and efficient. Call (508) 790-9188 today for a free quote.
