Outer Cape Population Declines

The 2010 census data very recently was published in the Cape Cod Times.  I found the data surprising. First, the data...

• P-Town - 2010 Population 2,942 - Down 14.3% from 2000
• Truro - 2,003 - Down 4%
• Wellfleet - 2,750 - Unchanged
• Eastham - 4,956 - Down 9.1%
• Orleans - 5,890 - Down 7.1%
• Harwich - 12,243 - Down 1.2%
• Brewster - 9,820 - Down 2.7%
• Chatham - 6,125 - Down 7.6%

In addition to these numbers, the number of school-age children (under 18 years old), was down even further. It doesn't seem to me that we have 9% less folks in Eastham than 10 years ago.

The article provided some anecdotal insight as to why the population has declined so much. The 'reasons' included the lack of job advancement opportunities, and the desire of some retirees to return to where they came from (?). I have a theory that may account for some of the reduction, at least in Eastham. My theory lies in the manner in which the data is collected. I think that many folks, who still maintain a permanent home in Eastham, have chosen to call their non-Massachusetts home their 'primary' residence - for tax reasons.

Read the Cape Cod Times article...Here.