First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Barnstable County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Harwich, Massachusetts
Harwich sits on Cape Cod's south shore along Nantucket Sound, incorporated in 1694 and made up of eight named villages rather than a single center. Three working harbors, Saquatucket, Wychmere and Allen, line its coast, and the town is widely credited as the birthplace of the commercial cranberry industry, with its first commercial bog planted in 1846. Harwich Center, around Brooks Free Library and Town Hall, and Harwich Port, its harborside village, anchor most day-to-day business.
Harwich at a glance
- $5.81Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,872Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 90-110 minDrive to Boston
- BarnstableCounty
Harwich's villages and zip codes
Most of Harwich shares ZIP code 02645; Harwich Port has its own (02646), as does West Harwich (02671).
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Harwich Center | 02645 | The municipal center around Town Hall, Brooks Free Library and Route 39/Main Street. |
| Harwich Port | 02646 | A harborside village on Nantucket Sound with Saquatucket and Wychmere harbors, shops and restaurants along Route 28. |
| West Harwich | 02671 | West of Harwich Port along Route 28, bordering Dennis. |
| South Harwich | 02645 | South-central section between Harwich Port and West Harwich. |
| East Harwich | 02645 | Eastern section of town bordering Chatham and Orleans. |
| North Harwich | 02645 | Northern section near the Dennis and Brewster lines. |
| Pleasant Lake | 02645 | A pond-side village in the Northwest Harwich area. |
Things to do in Harwich, MA
Start with Saquatucket Harbor and Wychmere Harbor, then 2 more below.
Saquatucket Harbor
A town-owned harbor in Harwich Port with a marina, fishing charters and a boardwalk along the water.
715 Main Street, Harwich Port, MA 02646
Wychmere Harbor
A small harbor in Harwich Port, once a natural pond opened to Nantucket Sound, now used by fishing and pleasure boats.
Harwich Port, MA 02646
Cape Cod Rail Trail (Harwich section)
The paved, 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail passes through Harwich, connecting to Dennis and Brewster for biking and walking.
Harwich, MA
Brooks Academy Museum
A museum run by the Harwich Historical Society in an 1844 academy building, with exhibits on the town's cranberry-growing and packet-ship history.
80 Parallel Street, Harwich, MA 02645
More worth a visit
- Harwich Junior TheatreA community theater in West Harwich presenting youth and family productions.
- Cape Cod Baseball League gamesThe Harwich Mariners, part of the Cape Cod Baseball League, play summer games at Whitehouse Field.
Around the calendar
- SeptemberHarwich Cranberry FestivalAn annual festival held since 1976 marking the local cranberry harvest, with a parade and fireworks.
A little history
Harwich was incorporated as a town in 1694 after being settled by English colonists starting around 1670.
The first commercial cranberry bog is generally credited to Harwich, planted in 1846, and the town is often called the birthplace of the commercial cranberry industry.
The town marked its 300th anniversary in 1994.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Harwich
Harwich's Nantucket Sound shoreline includes three harbors and beaches, while inland ponds such as Long Pond and Seymour Pond and the Cape Cod Rail Trail give it freshwater and trail access as well.
- Red River BeachA large Nantucket Sound beach in South Harwich with lifeguards in season.
- Cape Cod Rail TrailPaved multi-use trail passing through Harwich on its way between Dennis and Wellfleet.
- Bell's Neck Conservation AreaWetlands and former cranberry bogs with walking trails along the Herring River.
- Long PondOne of the town's larger freshwater ponds, shared with Brewster, used for swimming and boating.
Where to eat in Harwich: restaurants and coffee
4 places in Harwich to try, including seafood restaurant and bar and new american restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
The Port Restaurant + Bar
Seafood restaurant and bar
A Harwich Port restaurant open since 2004 with a raw bar, multiple bars and indoor and outdoor dining.
541 Main Street, Harwich Port, MA 02646
Cape Sea Grille
New American restaurant
A restaurant in a 19th-century sea captain's home in Harwich Port serving seafood and New American dishes.
31 Sea Street, Harwich Port, MA 02646
The Seal Pub and Cafe
Pub and cafe
A Main Street pub and cafe in Harwich Port open daily from early morning through dinner.
703 Main Street, Harwich Port, MA 02646
Scribano's Italian Market & Deli
Italian market and deli
A family-run Italian market and deli on Route 28 near the Dennis Port line.
Main Street (Route 28), Harwich Port, MA 02646
Walkability and getting around Harwich
Harwich Port's Main Street and harbor area are walkable, but the town's eight villages are spread across Route 28 and Route 39, and most errands between them require a car.
Drive times
- Boston, about 80 miles90-110 min
- Chatham Municipal Airport, about 8 miles15-20 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) serves Harwich, and the Cape Cod Rail Trail passes through town for cycling. There is no year-round passenger rail station in Harwich.
Harwich property taxes
Harwich's FY2026 residential tax rate is $5.81 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $581 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,872, on an average assessed value of $1,010,724.
Harwich's FY2026 tax rates
$5.81per $1,000, residential
- Residential$5.81 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,010,724
- Average single-family tax bill$5,872
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $8.11 |
| FY2023 | $6.64 |
| FY2024 | $6.03 |
| FY2025 | $5.91 |
| FY2026 | $5.81 |
Look up a Harwich property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Harwich
What we check on a Harwich purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic & wells, coastal flood zones.
Check the flood zone first
Harwich's Nantucket Sound shoreline, including the Harwich Port harbor area and beaches such as Red River Beach, puts coastal and low-lying parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for HarwichSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Harwich Fire Department before the sale closes.
Harwich Fire Department pageMuch of town is on septic
Sewer service in Harwich is limited mostly to parts of Harwich Port, so many properties rely on septic systems that require a Title 5 inspection before most home sales. Ask about septic history early.
Check FEMA flood maps near the shore
Waterfront and low-lying parcels near Harwich's harbors and Nantucket Sound beaches can fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a coastal property.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Harwich?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Harwich address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Harwich: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Harwich: Eversource (NSTAR Electric d/b/a Eversource) for power.
- ElectricEversource (NSTAR Electric d/b/a Eversource)
- Natural gasNo natural gas service confirmed for most of town
- WaterHarwich Water Department
- Sewer or septicMuch of Harwich remains on septic; the town has been expanding sewer in parts of Harwich Port and other areas.
- Trash and recyclingHarwich residents bring trash and recyclables to the town Transfer Station, open seven days a week; some households also use private haulers for subscription curbside pickup.
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
Harwich Transfer Station
205 Queen Anne Road, Harwich, MA 02645 Daily, 8 AM-4 PM (closed 3 days a year)
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Harwich Town Hall is at 732 Main Street, Harwich, MA 02645. Hours: Monday 8:30 AM-8 PM, Tuesday-Thursday 8:30 AM-4 PM, Friday 8:30 AM-12 PM. Main line: 508-430-7514.
- Town HallMain line and website508-430-7514
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.
- Board of Health / Health DepartmentTitle 5 septic, wells and public health regulation.508-430-7509
- Fire DepartmentFire, EMS and smoke-certificate inspections.
- Transfer Station / Department of Public WorksTrash, recycling and yard waste disposal.508-430-7555
- Brooks Free LibraryThe town's public library, a CLAMS network member.508-430-7562
Harwich, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Harwich, MA?
Harwich's FY2026 residential tax rate is $5.81 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Harwich?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $2,324 a year at $5.81 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Harwich have a split tax rate?
No. Harwich uses a single rate of $5.81 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Harwich?
The average single-family tax bill in Harwich was $5,872 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,010,724.
What county is Harwich, MA in?
Harwich is in Barnstable County, on Cape Cod's south shore.
What ZIP codes does Harwich use?
Most of Harwich shares ZIP code 02645; Harwich Port has its own ZIP code, 02646, and West Harwich uses 02671.
Does Harwich have curbside trash pickup?
The town itself operates a Transfer Station on Queen Anne Road rather than municipal curbside collection; some residents use private haulers for subscription curbside pickup.
Who supplies electricity in Harwich?
Eversource (NSTAR Electric d/b/a Eversource) is the electric utility serving Harwich.
Is there a train station in Harwich?
No. Harwich has no passenger rail station; the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority provides bus service.
How far is Harwich from Boston?
Harwich is about 80 miles from Boston, roughly 90-110 minutes by car.
Towns near Harwich
Neighbors of Harwich, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Harwich, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Harwich official website: harwich-ma.gov
- Board of Assessors - Harwich, MA: harwich-ma.gov
- Board of Health - Harwich, MA: harwich-ma.gov
- Fire Department - Harwich, MA: harwich-ma.gov
- Transfer Station - Harwich, MA: harwich-ma.gov
- Brooks Free Library: brooksfreelibrary.org
- MassDOT utility contacts - Harwich: hwy.massdot.state.ma.us
- Harwich MA Town Hall photo, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: T.S. Custadio (ToddC4176), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.