Osterville is awesome! The community was inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years before English settlers arrived in 1638. Osterville was originally called Cotacheset, but it was renamed to Oysterville because it was a center for harvesting oysters. A map misspelled its name as Osterville MA, and the name stuck.
Osterville is a neighborhood of Barnstable MA best known for being a summer destination. But it’s also a nice place to live with beautiful beaches, charming stores, and incredible Osterville MA real estate. If you’re interested in moving to Osterville, you should learn a little bit more about the community first. Here’s what you should know about living in Osterville.
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Where Is Osterville MA?
Osterville is in Barnstable County, inside the Barnstable Town metropolitan area and Cape Cod. Osterville is a neighborhood inside Barnstable Town, not a suburb. The community borders Marstons Mills and Centerville, MA. Osterville MA borders the Atlantic Ocean and contains several small ponds. It also includes several islands connected to the mainland with bridges. Most of the community is residential with small, single-family homes, and some backroads are poorly paved and do not have sidewalks.
It is six miles from Hyannis to Osterville. Osterville is a stop on the Sealine bus route from the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority. The Sealine route connects Osterville to Falmouth, Mashpee, and Hyannis. Massachusetts Route 28 runs through the northern part of the community, providing access to Harwich and Chatham MA, and making moving to Osterville easy.
Osterville Population and Demographics
Osterville MA had a population of 3,341 people in 2020; the population shrank by 5.0% between 2010 and 2020, and the population density was 516.3 people per square mile. Osterville demographics include:
- 50.9% male, 49.1% female
- Median age: 56.9
- Racial and ethnic composition: 83.5% White alone, 6.2% Hispanic, 5.1% two or more races, 2.1% other, 1.5% Black or African American alone, 1.1% Asian alone, 0.5% Native American alone
- Median household income: $97,070 (roughly 10% higher than the state median)
- Educational attainment: 98.7% of residents 25 years and older have graduated high school, 53.2% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 15.3%
Is Osterville Safe?
The Barnstable Police Department serves Osterville residents. Osterville MA crime statistics are not publicly available, but you can look at Barnstable crime statistics from the FBI. Here are the crime rates from 2020:
- Total crime rate: 1,218 offenses per 100,000 people (10.6% lower than the state, 48.1% lower than the country)
- Violent crime rate: 426 crimes per 100,000 residents (38.0% higher than the state, 9.9% higher than the country)
- Property crime rate: 792 crimes per 100,000 people (24.8% lower than the state, 59.6% lower than the country)
Osterville is a safe community to live in. A crime map of Barnstable Massachusetts reveals Osterville to be one of the safest parts of Barnstable. Though violent crime rates are higher than the state average, your chances of being a victim of violent crime are 1 in 235.
Things to Do in Osterville
Osterville, MA may be small, but it’s filled with unique outdoor attractions and quaint, locally-run stores. Fancy’s Market is a landmark in Osterville, selling groceries and gourmet foods at affordable prices. The Osterville Fish Market is the best place in Osterville to buy fresh Osterville fish, while Oyster Harbors Marine offers cool and fun boats.
Wianno Golf Club
The Wianno Club has an 18-hole golf course with beautiful landscapes. The club also contains a clubhouse with a formal and classy on-site restaurant, which you can rent at night for special events like weddings.
389 Parker Road, Osterville, MA, 02655, 508-428-9840
Oyster Harbors Club
Oyster Harbors Club is located on Osterville Grand Island, giving the club a romantic and luxurious atmosphere. The club contains an 18-hole championship golf course with an on-site restaurant that has a strict dress code.
170 Grand Island Drive, Osterville, MA, 02655, 508-428-3131
Additional attractions in Osterville
The Recreation Division of the Town of Barnstable plans special events in Osterville. You can use this event calendar to see when free courses, games, and cool parties will take place in the community.
Restaurants in Osterville MA
Osterville restaurants are well known for their fresh seafood, family-friendly services, and affordable dishes. Here are a few of the best options in Osterville MA.
Wimpy’s Seafood Cafe & Market
Wimpy’s Restaurant is perhaps the best-known Osterville restaurant, serving seafood since 1938 in a relaxing atmosphere. You can order a wide range of seafood for lunch and dinner, including fried clams and stuffed quahogs.
752 Main Street, Osterville, MA, 02655, 508-428-6300
Crisp
Crisp serves flatbreads and pasta dishes in a modern and light setting. You can visit Crisp for brunch and enjoy breakfast burritos and Belgian waffles, and adults can order several specialty drinks and beers on tap.
791 Main Street, Osterville, MA, 02655, 508-681-0922
Average Rent and Homes for Sale in Osterville MA
89% of housing units in Osterville MA are owner-occupied, and 92% are single-unit residences. There are no apartments currently available for rent in Osterville, and the average rent in the recent past has been $1,702 per month. The median rent in Barnstable is $3,200, so Osterville apartments are cheaper than the town average when they are available.
Osterville currently has dozens of homes for sale. You can find Cape Cod-style homes throughout the neighborhood, but you can also purchase larger and more luxurious ranch-style and shingle-style properties. Most houses for sale in Osterville MA were built in the early or mid-20th century, though they are well maintained and renovated.
According to Redfin, the average sales price of Osterville MA homes for sale is $9 million, and the average sales price per square foot is $1,820. The sales price has risen by 234% over the last year, while the price per square foot has risen by 148%. The average price of Osterville homes for sale is roughly $8.6 million more expensive than the national average.
Jobs in Osterville MA
Many people living in Osterville commute to other parts of Barnstable for work. Roughly 23,900 people work in Barnstable; the largest job sectors are health care and social assistance, construction, and retail trade. According to Payscale, the average salary in Barnstable is $74,000 a year, and the average hourly wage is $21.91.
Major employers in Osterville include Quest Diagnostics, 7-Eleven, and Rockland Trust. You can find additional jobs in Osterville MA using Indeed, and you can apply for Town of Barnstable jobs on the town government’s website.
Osterville Schools
Barnstable Public Schools serves Osterville students. All schools in the public school system are outside of Osterville but within driving distance. Barnstable High School has a graduation rate of 91%.
Osterville Cape Cod has one major private school, Cape Cod Academy (CCA). CCA has a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1, with teachers offering as many personalized educational services as possible. The school has a personalized tuition program allowing low-income families to send their children to CCA at an affordable cost.
Osterville does not contain any colleges. The closest one is Cape Cod Community College in West Barnstable, a two-year public community college with more than 45 certificate programs.
The Osterville Village Library is home to numerous special programs and events, including stargazing and car raffles.
Osterville Statistics and Information
- County: Barnstable
- Area: 8.30 square miles
- Osterville MA zipcode: 02655
- Osterville area code: 508, 774
- Elevation: 37 feet
- Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Closest airport to Osterville: Cape Cod Gateway Airport (HYA), seven miles from Osterville
Osterville Map
You can find more kid-friendly attractions, delicious restaurants, and quaint stores using this map of Osterville.
Living in Osterville isn’t just about visiting during the summer. You can enjoy beautiful outside things to do, engaging schools, and high-paying and competitive jobs throughout the year. But moving to Osterville requires some planning. Vanguard is the leading moving company in Osterville, with an A+ BBB rating. Get a free Osterville moving quote by calling 508-790-9188.
