Barnstable, Massachusetts

The town of Barnstable is located on the bicep of the Cape Cod arm. Bordered by Cape Cod Bay on the north, Nantucket Sound[?] on the south, Sandwich[?] and Mashpee on the west and Yarmouth on the east. The Town of Barnstable includes seven villages within its boundaries. Each village has unique and significant cultural and historical qualities.

Centerville, located on the south side, is primarily residential, includes a small business district and beautiful beaches. Osterville, located on the south side, is primarily residential and includes inlets and harbors for fishing and boating and a small business district. Hyannis, also a residential area is the town’s central business/commercial district which also includes town offices and several shopping malls. Hyannis is also a fishing village and its harbor provides access to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Islands. Marstons Mills is primarily residential and is located on Route 28 and is rural in nature. Cotuit located on a peninsula on the south side, is primarily residential with several small beaches. West Barnstable, located on the north side, is primarily residential and also includes Sandy Neck Barrier Beach. Barnstable is located on the north side, houses the County Complex, a small business district and a working harbor and several small beaches.

Barnstable is the county seat of Barnstable County, Massachusetts. The county population on July 1, 1999, was 212,519, an increase of 25,914 over the 1990 census.