Barnstable, city, Barnstable county, southeastern Massachusetts, U.S. It is situated between Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound, on the “biceps” of Cape Cod. It was settled in 1638 by farmers who were attracted to the site by salt hay found in the surrounding marshes, and in 1685 it was designated the county seat. During the 18th century, Barnstable was a thriving port for the New England molasses and rum trade. Since 1900 its economy has depended on summer tourism supplemented by fishing, oyster culture, and cranberry farming.
Seven villages make up the city, including Hyannis, which is the main business centre and the site of the Kennedy family compound at Hyannis Port (Hyannisport) as well as the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum. The other villages are West Barnstable, Osterville, Marstons Mills, Cotuit, Canterville, and Barnstable Village. The city is the site of the Sturgis Library (1867), the Crocker Tavern (1754, now a museum), and the Donald G. Trayser Memorial Museum (Old Customs House, built in 1856). The West Parish Meeting House (1717) and Cape Cod Community College (1961) are in West Barnstable. Barnstable was the birthplace of the political activist James Otis, Jr., and the 19th-century jurist Lemuel Shaw. Ferries and airplane flights connect Hyannis to the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Inc. town, 1639; city, 1989. Pop. (2000) 47,821; Barnstable Town Metro Area, 222,230; (2010) 45,193; Barnstable Town Metro Area, 215,888.