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Harwich, MA

Frequently asked questions

Harwich, MA

Harwich is a New England town on Cape Cod, in Barnstable County in the state of Massachusetts in the United States. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 13,440. Harwich experiences a seasonal increase to roughly 37,000. The town is a popular vacation spot, located near the Cape Cod National Seashore. Harwich's beaches are on the Nantucket Sound side of Cape Cod. Harwich has three active harbors. Saquatucket, Wychmere, and Allen Harbors are all in Harwich Port. The town of Harwich includes the villages of Pleasant Lake, West Harwich, East Harwich, Harwich Port, Harwich Center, North Harwich, and South Harwich.

Harwich was first settled by Europeans in 1670 as part of Yarmouth. The town was officially incorporated in 1694 and originally included the lands of the current town of Brewster. The early industry involved fishing and farming. The town is considered by some to be the birthplace of the cranberry industry, with the first commercial operation opened in 1846. There are still many bogs in the town, although the economy is now more centered on tourism and as a residential community. The town is also the site of the start/finish line of the "Sail Around the Cape", which rounds the Cape counter-clockwise, returning via the Cape Cod Canal.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.1 square miles (85.8 km2), of which 20.9 square miles (54.1 km2) is land and 12.2 square miles (31.7 km2), or 36.97%, is water. The seven villages of Harwich are West Harwich, North Harwich, East Harwich, South Harwich, Harwich Center, Harwich Port, and Pleasant Lake. These are also referred to as the Harwiches.

Harwich is on the southern side of Cape Cod, just west of the southeastern corner. It is bordered by Dennis to the west, Brewster to the north, Orleans to the northeast, Chatham to the east, and Nantucket Sound to the south. Harwich is approximately 12 miles (19 km) east of Barnstable, 28 miles (45 km) east of the Cape Cod Canal, 35 miles (56 km) south of Provincetown, and 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Boston.

The town shares the largest lake on the Cape, called Long Pond, with the town of Brewster. Long Pond serves as a private airport for planes with the ability to land on water. The village of Pleasant Lake is at the southwest corner of the lake. Numerous other smaller bodies of water dot the town. Sand Pond, a public beach and swimming area, is located off Great Western Road in North Harwich.

The shore is home to several harbors and rivers, including the Herring River, Allens Harbor, Wychmere Harbor, Saquatucket Harbor, and the Andrews River. The town is also the home to the Hawksnest State Park, as well as a marina and several beaches, including two on Long Pond. There are also many beaches in West Harwich and South Harwich.

Harwich places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Outer Cape Health Services and Cape Cod Hospital offer a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Momentum Fitness is a collection of physical therapists, athletic trainers, and fitness professionals who believe in a higher level of individualized exercise prescription and functional fitness. Fitness enthusiasts can check out BodyStrong Fitness in nearby Chatham for personalized training sessions. For those interested in yoga and wellness classes, Nové Yoga & Wellness Studio provides a serene environment for relaxation and fitness. Masjah Studios offers an array of services including yoga, spin, dance, and alternative therapies like sound healing and Reiki. For a luxurious wellness retreat, Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn is an excellent choice, providing a tranquil escape.

Top Sites in Harwich, MA are Cape Cod Lavender Farm, Cape Cod Theatre Company / Harwich Junior Theatre, Monomoy Island Excursions, and Wychmere Beach Club.
 

ZIP Code: 02645. Area code: 508 / 774. Elevation: 55 ft (17 m). Area: 33.1 square miles (85.8 km2). Population: 13,440 (2020).

FAQs

What is Harwich MA known for?

Harwich encompasses 20.93 square miles of land area with 10.9 miles of tidal shoreline. It is located in the 10th Congressional District, the Plymouth, Cape, and Islands State Senatorial District. With miles of rivers and marshes and a coastline of sandy beaches dotted with the town's four (4) picturesque harbors, Harwich has the unique ability to provide every form of aquatic activity available: quiet canoeing through the great marshes of the Herring River, water skiing on Long Pond, deep sea fishing out of the harbors, fly fishing in several of the smaller ponds, or swimming and sunbathing on the sandy Nantucket Sound and Pleasant Bay beaches.

What are the demographics of Harwich, MA?

There are 12,778 residents in Harwich, with a median age of 64.6. Of this, 48.18% are males and 51.82% are females. US-born citizens make up 95.35% of the resident pool in Harwich, while non-US-born citizens account for 3.12%. Additionally, 1.53% of the population is represented by non-citizens. A total of 11,498 people in Harwich currently live in the same house as they did last year.

Is Harwich, MA a good place to live?

This picturesque area is a popular vacation spot, with many attractions such as the Harwich Conservation Trust's nature trails, Cranberry Valley Golf Course, and Pleasant Bay Beach. The town also hosts several historic sites like the West Harwich Rodgers Memorial Library and Captain Bangs Hallet House Museum. Other activities in the area include fishing charters, horseback riding, kayaking, whale watching, and more. With its phenomenal views and abundance of outdoor recreation, Harwich is an ideal getaway for any traveler! Moderate-size metro area set in the coastal plains and coast of New England. Coastline, about an hour to Boston, and very low property crime make Harwich a great place to live.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Harwich

Point 2 Homes

Best Places

Cape Cod Lavender Farm 

Cape Cod Theatre Company / Harwich Junior Theatre 

Monomoy Island Excursions 

Wychmere Beach Club

Outer Cape Health Services

Cape Cod Hospital

Momentum Fitness

BodyStrong Fitness

Nové Yoga

Masjah Studios

Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.