You’ll live well living in Wellfleet MA! The Wampanoag people lived in the Wellfleet area for thousands of years before English settlers arrived in the 1650s. The English settlers established a small community called Billingsgate, after a fish market in London. Billingsgate was a part of Eastham until 1763, when it became its own town and was renamed to Wellfleet.
The name comes from the Wallfleet or Wellfleet oysters sold in Blackwater Bay in England. The town immediately became a prominent oyster, whaling, and fishing community, and people started moving to Wellfleet to work.
The whaling and fishing industries declined during the late 1800s, and the community transitioned to become a tourist spot, which it remains today. Wellfleet is best known for Wellfleet oysters, which are sold in restaurants throughout the world. It’s a nice place to live, especially if you want to retire in a quaint and beautiful community.
Living in Wellfleet MA can be absolutely incredible. But before you start moving to Wellfleet, you should learn more about this lovely town.
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Where Is Wellfleet MA?
Wellfleet is in Cape Cod in the Upper Cape region and in Barnstable County. It’s outside the Boston metropolitan area. It is 101 miles from Boston to Wellfleet, though you can take a ferry that’s 68.8 miles long. It is also 14.3 miles from Wellfleet to Provincetown. Wellfleet borders Truro and Eastham.
Roughly 70% of the Wellfleet area is protected land, with nearly half of it on the Cape Cod National Seashore. Wellfleet contains several notable geographic features, including Lecount Hollow Beach and Duck Harbor Beach. The Cape Cod Bay borders Wellfleet to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean borders it to the east.
The developed areas in Wellfleet are small and predominantly residential, with a few restaurants and stores along Route 6. Route 6 runs through the Cape and connects towns on Cape Cod together, making moving to Wellfleet easy.
The Flex bus route from Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) stops in Wellfleet, and you can use CCRTA bus routes for moving to Wellfleet. You can get on the bus at two designated stops in Wellfleet or request the bus to come to you, with three-quarters of a mile away from the route.
Wellfleet Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the population of Wellfleet in 2020 was 3,566, up by 29.7% from 2010. The decade between 2010 and 2020 was the fastest-growing decade in Wellfleet since at least 1850. The population of living in Wellfleet MA has doubled since 1970, with many retirees moving to Wellfleet. The Wellfleet population density is 180.1 people living in Wellfleet MA per square mile, roughly one-third of the Barnstable County density.
Notable people living in Wellfleet MA include Anthony Perkins, Howard Zinn, and Guglielmo Marconi. Wellfleet demographics include:
- 60.2% male, 39.8% female
- Median age of residents living in Wellfleet MA: 55.7
- Racial and ethnic composition of people living in Wellfleet MA: 91.4% White (90.7% non-Hispanic), 4.8% two or more races, 2.2% Hispanic or Latino, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% American Indian and Pacific Islander
- Median household income of residents living in Wellfleet MA: $114,074 (roughly 12.5% higher than the state median)
- Educational attainment of people living in Wellfleet MA: 99.1% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 58.0% of residents have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population of residents living in Wellfleet MA: 5.4%
Wellfleet’s median age is over 15 years older than the Massachusetts median. 28.6% of residents living in Wellfleet MA are over the age of 65, with 6.8% of residents being older than 80. Living in Wellfleet MA is very popular amongst married couples, who head nearly 60% of households in Wellfleet.
Wellfleet is also one of the most educated communities in Massachusetts, with nearly all residents living in Wellfleet MA being high school graduates. 35.5% of residents living in Wellfleet MA have a post-graduate degree, nearly 15 percentage points higher than the state rate.
Wellfleet is also one of the safest communities in Massachusetts. Here are its latest crime rates, according to the FBI in 2022:
- Overall Wellfleet crime rate: 403 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Wellfleet MA (71.0% lower than the Massachusetts crime rate, 82.7% lower than the national average)
- Violent Wellfleet crime rate: 81 crimes per 100,000 people living in Wellfleet MA (74.8% lower than the Massachusetts rate, 78.1% lower than the national rate)
- Property Wellfleet crime rate: 322 offenses per 100,000 people living in Wellfleet MA (69.9% lower than the Massachusetts rate, 83.5% lower than the national rate)
The Wellfleet Police Department employs 15 sworn police officers who respond to all emergencies in Wellfleet.
Cost of Living in Wellfleet MA
Wellfleet cost of living statistics can be hard to find, but you can use Boston cost of living and Cape Cod cost of living statistics to make a rough estimate. The Boston cost of living index is 146.5, meaning items in the area cost 46.5% more than the national average.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Barnstable County would need to earn $138,141 a year. Living in Wellfleet MA can be expensive, but you can apply for high-paying Wellfleet jobs to cover your cost of living.
Wellfleet real estate can be pricey, but you have options for affordable places to live and upscale properties worth your money. According to Redfin, Wellfleet homes for sale have a median cost of $808,030, with a median price per square foot of $811. There are very few Wellfleet apartments available for rent.
Typical Wellfleet* Living Expenses
- 1 gallon of regular milk: $4.50
- 1 pound of local cheese: $2.99
- 1 pound of potatoes: $0.99
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.30
- Average Wellfleet* utilities per month: $100.00
- 1 pair of jeans: $64.38
Source: Numbeo
*Living expenses actually for Barnstable
Wellfleet Neighborhoods | Where to Live In Wellfleet
Wellfleet does not have any formal neighborhoods. The small size of Wellfleet means that the real estate market in Wellfleet is small and competitive, even if you’re not buying during the summer. Residents living in Wellfleet MA bought 74 homes for sale in Wellfleet in 2023, a smaller number than most Cape Cod towns. The real estate market may be small, but you can find single-family homes, condos, and townhomes in Wellfleet.
You can buy a small one-bedroom property covering 350 square feet for less than $300,000. You can also buy a sprawling three-bedroom home covering 3,800 square feet for $3 million. If you prefer to buy a plot of land to build a home on, a few plots are available on the outer reaches of the community.
The rental market is very small. There are no notable apartment complexes in Wellfleet. Homes for rent come on the market for use during the summer, but these homes are usually rented out several months in advance. You should check Wellfleet real estate market listings during the early winter so you can take advantage of rental homes.
Wellfleet Weather and Climate
Wellfleet has a humid continental climate, with warm and humid summers and freezing and snowy winters. July is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 70 degrees and an average high of 76. Temperatures peak in late July, but they don’t decline significantly until late September.
January is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 33 degrees and an average low of 27. Average lows remain below freezing between mid-December and mid-March.
Wellfleet receives 40.1 inches of rain and 13.1 inches of snow on average every year. The rain creates a moderate amount of humidity in the summer, with 12.2 days in July and 11.5 days in August feeling muggy and oppressive. Wellfleet can experience snowstorms in the winter and thunderstorms in the summer.
The community occasionally experiences tropical storms. You can prepare for all storms in Wellfleet by viewing Wellfleet weather forecasts and preparing a storm shelter in your home.
June is the best month to visit Wellfleet and start moving to Wellfleet. The average temperature is 63 degrees, so it’s warm enough that you can visit the best beaches in Wellfleet and enjoy the weather. You can enjoy warm water in kettle ponds and crashing waves on the beach, with fewer tourists than at other times of the summer.
Things to Do in Wellfleet MA
You can enjoy so many incredible things to do in Wellfleet MA, including some of the best beaches in New England! Ask a resident living in Wellfleet MA what to do in Wellfleet MA, and they’ll tell you to go shopping. Wellfleet has many quaint locally-run stores like Wellfleet Marketplace, BriarLane Jams and Jellies, and Wellfleet Marine.
Wellfleet Cinemas
Wellfleet Cinemas is home to Cape Cod’s only drive-in movie theater, as well as four indoor movie screens, a flea market, an ice cream shop, and a mini-golf course. The drive-in theater is only open from May to September, but the indoor screens and flea market are open throughout the year, making them top family-friendly destinations.
51 US-6, Wellfleet, MA, 02667, 508-349-7176
Marconi Beach
Marconi Beach is in the Cape Cod National Seashore and contains the Marconi Radio Station. You can watch the sunrise and sunset from a 40-foot cliff with scenic vistas, and you can go on biking and hiking trails as well as lounge in the sand.
Great Island Trail
Great Island Trail is one of the longest trails in Wellfleet, covering up to 8.8 miles, depending on which loop you take. You can enjoy views of the Wellfleet beaches, forests, and ponds, and you can walk your dogs in designated areas.
1440 Chequessett Neck Road, Wellfleet, MA, 02667
Additional Things to Do in Wellfleet MA
The Beaches Department in the Town of Wellfleet takes care of the beaches alongside the National Park Service. The Recreation Department helps plan town events, like festivals and music performances. You can see upcoming events using the Town of Wellfleet calendar.
Wellfleet Restaurants
Cape Cod is well known for its fresh seafood and quaint restaurants, and Wellfleet offers some of the best seafood and family-friendly eateries around. Here are some of the best restaurants in Wellfleet.
The Bookstore
The Bookstore is a family-run restaurant that serves fresh seafood, including unique dishes like oyster stew and Portuguese kale soup. You can also enjoy selections from a raw bar while looking out at Mayo Beach.
50 Kendrick Avenue, Wellfleet, MA, 02667, 508-349-3154
Pearl Restaurant
Pearl Restaurant is another family-run and casual seafood restaurant. Pearl Restaurant is home to live musical performances throughout the summer, making it a great destination for dates and nights out with friends.
250 Commercial Street, Wellfleet, MA, 02667, 508-349-2999
Mac’s On the Pier
Mac’s On the Pier is a famous beachside snack bar and quick-service restaurant. It’s best known for its fried clams, but you can also order burritos, hamburgers, and wraps.
265 Commercial Street, Wellfleet, MA, 02667, 508-349-9611
Wellfleet Jobs
According to the Massachusetts Department of Economic Research, 1,558 residents living in Wellfleet MA had jobs in 2023. The unemployment rate was 6.1%, meaning Wellfleet has returned to pre-pandemic levels of employment. Like many Cape Cod communities, Wellfleet has a spike in its economy during the summer, with the unemployment rate falling as low as 2%.
During the fall and winter, the economy slows down, with the unemployment rate reaching up to 10%. Many Wellfleet businesses cater to tourists, opening in May and closing in October, which can make it hard to find consistent work while living in Wellfleet MA. Many temporary residents start moving to Wellfleet in March or April to work in seasonal Wellfleet jobs.
According to Data Cape Cod, the three largest industries by employment on the Cape and in Wellfleet are accommodation and food services, healthcare, and retail trade. According to Payscale, Wellfleet jobs have a median salary of $66,000 and an average base hourly rate of $20.78.
Major employers in Wellfleet include Mac’s Seafood Group, Mid-Cape Home Center, and Beachcomber in Wellfleet. You can explore Wellfleet jobs using Indeed, and you can find Town of Wellfleet jobs on the town government’s website while living in Wellfleet MA.
Of course, with remote roles now widely available, tools such as Remote’s EOR in the US allow you to work remotely for a company based in another city or state — ideal if you’re finding local job availability limited.
Wellfleet Schools
Nauset Public Schools serves all students living in Wellfleet MA. Wellfleet Elementary School is in Wellfleet; US News ranks it in the top 10% of elementary schools in Massachusetts. 57% of students test at or above the proficiency level in reading, 15 percentage points higher than the state average.
Wellfleet Elementary School students then attend Nauset Regional Middle School in Orleans. US News ranks it in the top 150 middle schools in Massachusetts. Nauset Regional Middle School students then attend Nauset Regional High School in Eastham. US News ranks Nauset Regional High School in the top 75 high schools in Massachusetts and as the second-best high school on Cape Cod.
There are no private schools, colleges, or universities in Wellfleet. The Open University of Wellfleet offers art classes, dance classes, and other programs for adult learners, but it’s not a formal college. The Wellfleet Public Library is in Wellfleet and serves all residents living in Wellfleet MA.
Wellfleet Statistics and Information
- County: Barnstable County
- Wellfleet area: 35.4 square miles
- Wellfleet zip code: 02663, 02667
- Wellfleet area code: 508 and 774
- Wellfleet elevation: 50 feet
- Wellfleet time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Wellfleet: Cape Cod Gateway Airport (HYA), 33.0 miles from Wellfleet
Map of Wellfleet MA
You can find more things to do in Wellfleet, great Wellfleet restaurants, and other amenities using this map of Wellfleet MA.
Start Living in Wellfleet MA Today
Living in Wellfleet MA is perfect for anyone! New England residents looking to retire in a quaint community will enjoy the quiet ambiance in Wellfleet. Families will like the schools, restaurants, and points of interest during the summer.
Moving to Wellfleet isn’t as hard as you would think. Vanguard Movers has a team of the best Wellfleet movers, with over 20 years of experience. Call 508-790-9188 for a free estimate now.
