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Bourne, MA

Frequently asked questions

Bourne, MA

Bourne is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,452 at the 2020 census. For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Bourne, please see the articles on Bourne (CDP), Buzzards Bay, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Sagamore, and Sagamore Beach.

Bourne was first settled in 1640 by Ezra Perry as a part of the town of Sandwich. Before its separation from Sandwich, the area was referred to as West Sandwich. It was officially incorporated in 1884, the last town to be incorporated in Barnstable County. It was named for Jonathan Bourne Sr. (1811–1889), whose ancestor Richard Bourne represented Sandwich in the first Massachusetts General Court and was the first preacher to the Mashpee Wampanoag on Cape Cod. The town lies at the northeast corner of Buzzards Bay and is the site of Aptucxet Trading Post, the nation's oldest store. It was founded by the Pilgrims in 1627 at a site halfway between the two rivers that divided Cape Cod from the rest of the state. It was out of this location that the Cape Cod Canal was formed, to save time and lives by eliminating the need to sail around the hazardous eastern shores of the Cape. Because of the canal, Bourne is now considered the "first" town on the Cape, as all three bridges (the Bourne, Sagamore, and the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge) are located within the town. Most of Bourne is on Cape Cod, Buzzards Bay, and Sagamore Beach being the villages that are on the mainland side with Buttermilk Bay forming the western edge of the peninsula (cape) and the Bourndale Road forming the northern boundary to the cape.

Bourne is located at the western end of Cape Cod, with the Cape Cod Canal cutting across the northern portion of the town. It is bordered by Sandwich to the east, Falmouth to the south, Marion and Wareham to the west, and Plymouth and Cape Cod Bay to the north. The town lies approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of Barnstable, 55 miles (89 km) south-southeast of Boston, and the same distance east of Providence, Rhode Island. The border with Plymouth and Wareham in Plymouth County constitutes the only landed border between Barnstable County and any other county (the borders with Dukes and Nantucket counties lie in Nantucket Sound). Major localities of Bourne include Bournedale and Buzzards Bay on the west side of the Cape Cod Canal, Sagamore, which straddles the canal, and Bourne village, Monument Beach, Pocasset, and Cataumet on the east side of the canal. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 52.9 square miles (136.9 km2), of which 40.7 square miles (105.3 km2) is land and 12.2 square miles (31.6 km2), or 23.11%, is water.

Bourne's geography was formed around its location on Buzzards Bay and the Cape Cod Canal. There are several necks (the local term for a peninsula), including Wings Neck and Scraggy Neck, and islands along the shore, which create several small coves and harbors. There are also several small ponds and rivers, all of which (except the Herring River, which feeds directly into the Canal) feed into Buzzards Bay. The largest of these inlets, Buttermilk Bay, lies along the border with Wareham. Because of the large parcel of land occupied by Otis A.N.G.B. in the eastern part of the town, the majority of settlement is either along the shores of the Canal or along Buzzards Bay. There is also a small neighborhood (South Sagamore) located between the Canal and the northern boundaries of the base. Bourne has a town forest and a small portion of the Shawme-Crowell State Forest, which is located along Otis's northern boundary. There are also many beaches along its shores, mostly along Buzzards Bay (although Sagamore Beach lies along Cape Cod Bay).

Bourne places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Atrius Health - Bourne and Bourne Primary Care offer comprehensive family medicine services. RMA Fitness Center is perfect for a comprehensive workout with its state-of-the-art equipment and personal training services. Start your journey at the Bourne Recreation for various fitness classes and community events. Enjoy a relaxing day at Cape Cod Canal, where you can walk, jog, or bike along the scenic paths. For those looking for a unique workout, Bourne Pilates provides specialized pilates sessions tailored to your needs. Yoga enthusiasts can visit Yoga Collaborative for a range of classes from beginner to advanced. Families can enjoy Sandwich Marina Park for its playgrounds and picnic areas.
 

Top Sites in Bourne, MA: Museums at Aptucxet, Herring Run Recreation Area, Butterflies of Cape Cod, and Bourne Scenic Park.
 

ZIP code: 02532. Area code: 508 / 774. Area: 52.9 square miles (136.9 km2). Elevation: 42 ft. Population: 20,452 (2020).
 

FAQs

What are the demographics of Bourne, MA?

Bourne, MA is home to a population of 1.78k people, of which 100% are citizens. As of 2022, 1.91% of Bourne, MA residents were born outside of the country (34 people). In 2022, there were 445 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (1.78k people) in Bourne, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4 Two+ (Hispanic) and 0 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the crime rate in Bourne, MA?

Bourne has an overall crime rate of 9 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Bourne is 1 in 114. How does Bourne fare compared to other communities in Massachusetts of all population sizes? Bourne's crime rate is lower than approximately 36% of Massachusetts communities.

Is Bourne, MA a nice place to live?

Bourne is in Barnstable County. Living in Bourne offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Bourne, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals and retirees live in Bourne and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Bourne are above average.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Bourne

Niche

Data USA

Neighborhood Scout

Museums at Aptucxet

Herring Run Recreation Area 

Butterflies of Cape Cod 

Bourne Scenic Park

Atrius Health - Bourne

Bourne Primary Care

RMA Fitness Center

Bourne Recreation

Cape Cod Canal

Bourne Pilates

Yoga Collaborative

Sandwich Marina Park

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