Living in Wellfleet, Massachusetts

Wellfleet sits on the narrow Outer Cape between Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, with Wellfleet Harbor and Duck Creek on its bay side. First settled in the 1650s as part of what was called Billingsgate, it was incorporated as its own town in 1763. Nearly half the town's land lies within the Cape Cod National Seashore, and the harbor is known for its oyster beds.

Wellfleet center South Wellfleet

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated September 25, 2026

Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0

Wellfleet at a glance

$7.10Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
$7,384Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
50-60 minDrive to Hyannis
BarnstableCounty

Wellfleet's villages and zip codes

Wellfleet uses 02667 for the town center and 02663 for South Wellfleet.

Wellfleet villages and zip codes
Area	Zip code	Where it is
Wellfleet center	02667	The town center around Main Street and the harbor, with Town Hall, galleries and the pier.
South Wellfleet	02663	The southern part of town toward the Eastham line, near the National Seashore visitor center.

Things to do in Wellfleet, MA

Start with Cape Cod National Seashore (Wellfleet section) and Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, then 3 more below.

Cape Cod National Seashore (Wellfleet section)
National Park Service land covering a large share of Wellfleet, with ocean beaches, dune trails and the Marconi Station site where Guglielmo Marconi sent the first transatlantic wireless message from the U.S. in 1903.
FreeYear-round
South Wellfleet, MA
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
A Massachusetts Audubon sanctuary on Wellfleet Harbor with trails through salt marsh, woodland and shoreline habitat.
Year-round
291 Route 6, South Wellfleet, MA
Wellfleet Harbor and pier
The town's working harbor, home to its oyster and shellfishing fleet, with the pier as a spot to watch boats come in.
FreeYear-round
Wellfleet Harbor, Wellfleet, MA
Wellfleet OysterFest
An annual October festival celebrating the town's oyster industry, with food, music and a shucking competition.
Seasonal
Wellfleet center, MA
Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre
An operating outdoor drive-in movie theater on Route 6, open seasonally.
Seasonal
51 Route 6, South Wellfleet, MA

More worth a visit

Cape Cod Rail Trail (South Wellfleet section)The paved rail-trail reaches its northern end in South Wellfleet.
Wellfleet gallery sceneWellfleet has a concentration of art galleries around its town center, some open seasonally.

Around the calendar

October
Wellfleet OysterFestAn annual festival celebrating Wellfleet's oysters, held in the town center.

A little history

The area was first settled in the 1650s as part of a district known as Billingsgate, and Wellfleet was incorporated as a separate town in 1763.

In 1903, Guglielmo Marconi's wireless station in Wellfleet sent the first transatlantic radio message originating in the United States; the eroding station site is now within the Cape Cod National Seashore.

The pirate ship Whydah wrecked off Wellfleet in 1717; its recovered artifacts are the subject of ongoing archaeological work.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Wellfleet

Wellfleet runs from ocean-facing dunes within the Cape Cod National Seashore to the calmer waters of Wellfleet Harbor and Duck Creek on the bay side.

Cape Cod National SeashoreOcean beaches, dune trails and the Marconi Station site, covering much of Wellfleet's land area.
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife SanctuaryA Mass Audubon sanctuary with trails through salt marsh and woodland on Wellfleet Harbor.
Great IslandA National Seashore peninsula with a longer hiking trail out toward Jeremy Point.
Cape Cod Rail TrailThe paved rail-trail reaches its current northern terminus in South Wellfleet.

Where to eat in Wellfleet: restaurants and coffee

1 places in Wellfleet to try, including seafood restaurant. No one paid to be listed.

Mac's Shack
Seafood restaurant
A seafood restaurant in Wellfleet center serving oysters, clams and other local seafood, with seasonal themed dinner nights.
91 Commercial St, Wellfleet, MA 02667 · macsseafood.com

Walkability and getting around Wellfleet

Wellfleet's small town center around Main Street and the harbor is walkable, with galleries, shops and the pier close together, but South Wellfleet and the National Seashore beaches are spread along Route 6 and require a car.

Drive times

Hyannis, about 40 miles50-60 min
Provincetown Municipal Airport, about 12 miles20-25 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) and Plymouth & Brockton bus lines provide limited service through Wellfleet along Route 6, and the Cape Cod Rail Trail reaches South Wellfleet for cyclists. Wellfleet has no train station and no commercial airport; Provincetown Municipal Airport is the nearest airfield.

Wellfleet property taxes

Wellfleet's FY2026 residential tax rate is $7.10 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $6.61. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $710 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $7,384, on an average assessed value of $1,040,034.

Wellfleet's FY2026 tax rates

$7.10per $1,000, residential

Residential$7.10 per $1,000
Commercial, industrial, personal property$6.61 per $1,000
Average single-family assessed value$1,040,034
Average single-family tax bill$7,384
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	$7.78
FY2023	$6.96
FY2024	$6.83
FY2025	$7.11
FY2026	$7.10

Look up a Wellfleet property

FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-349-0300
Town ClerkVital records and town records
Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county

Buying a home in Wellfleet

What we check on a Wellfleet purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic & wells, coastal flood zones.

MassHousing

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

Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

Wellfleet has shoreline on both Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, and low-lying land around Wellfleet Harbor, Duck Creek and the Herring River puts many parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Wellfleet

Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Wellfleet Fire & Rescue before the sale closes. Call 508-349-0300 to schedule.

Wellfleet Fire & Rescue page

Septic & wells

Most of Wellfleet relies on septic and private wells

Wellfleet has no town-wide sewer system, and much of the town relies on private wells and septic systems. A home on septic needs a Title 5 inspection before it can be sold in Massachusetts. Confirm well and septic status early when touring a property here.

Coastal flood zones

Check FEMA flood maps on both coasts

Wellfleet has frontage on Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic, plus tidal creeks around the harbor. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the water.

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 Wellfleet?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Wellfleet address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Call (860) 398-5268 Text us Email the team

Compare loan options Our process

Moving to Wellfleet: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Wellfleet: Eversource for power.

ElectricEversource
WaterWellfleet Water Department (town-run public water in parts of town); many properties rely on private wells
Trash and recyclingWellfleet has no curbside trash collection. Residents bring household garbage to the transfer station in town-specific purple bags, sold at local retailers, and pay a per-visit fee without a sticker; annual transfer stickers are also available.
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

Wellfleet Transfer Station & Recycling Center

370 Coles Neck Road, Wellfleet, MA 02667 Winter (Labor Day-Memorial Day): open 5 days a week, closed Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

$10 entrance fee without a sticker; annual stickers sold at the facility

Transfer station details

Town Hall offices and contacts

Wellfleet Town Hall is at 300 Main St, Wellfleet, MA 02667. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. Main line: 508-349-0300.

Wellfleet, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Wellfleet, MA?

Wellfleet's FY2026 residential tax rate is $7.10 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $6.61. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.

How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Wellfleet?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $2,840 a year at $7.10 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Wellfleet have a split tax rate?

Yes. Homes pay $7.10 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $6.61.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Wellfleet?

The average single-family tax bill in Wellfleet was $7,384 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,040,034.

What county is Wellfleet, MA in?

Wellfleet is in Barnstable County, on the Outer Cape.

What ZIP codes does Wellfleet use?

Wellfleet uses 02667 for the town center and 02663 for South Wellfleet.

Is trash pickup curbside in Wellfleet?

No. Wellfleet has no curbside collection; residents bring trash to the transfer station on Coles Neck Road using town purple bags or an annual sticker.

Which school district serves Wellfleet?

Wellfleet is part of the Nauset Regional School District, along with Brewster, Eastham and Orleans.

Is there public transit in Wellfleet?

CCRTA and Plymouth & Brockton buses run along Route 6 through Wellfleet; there is no train station.

What are Wellfleet Town Hall's hours?

Wellfleet Town Hall, at 300 Main St, is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Towns near Wellfleet

Neighbors of Wellfleet, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources

Wellfleet, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Nauset Regional School District - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Town of Wellfleet official website: wellfleet-ma.gov
Wellfleet Transfer Station & Recycling Center: ma-wellfleet.civicplus.com
Wellfleet Department Directory: ma-wellfleet.civicplus.com
Mac's Shack official website: macsseafood.com
Main Street, Wellfleet 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: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Checked September 25, 2026.