THE COMMUNITY OF HARWICH

The Town of Harwich was incorporated in 1694 and is one of the oldest Towns in southeastern Massachusetts. It has a total area of 33 square miles, of which about 36% is water. It is part of the Barnstable-Yarmouth Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Town has an extensive shoreline along Nantucket Sound. It is composed of seven villages: East Harwich, West Harwich, North Harwich, South Harwich, Harwich Port, Harwich Center, and Pleasant Lake. While cranberry farming and fishing are still native occupations, the current economy is primarily supported by tourism which increases the year-round population of 11,000 to about 35,000 during the summer months.

Harwich is primarily a resort and residential community with a significant older population. Approximately 28% of the residents are 65 years or older. The data show approximately 52% of the adult population over the age of 55. Nearly 77% of the Town's households are without children under 18-years old. It is expected the the town will enjoy continued moderate growth despite the fact that it offers virtually no industry or year round employment opportunities.

Harwich has four public schools: an Elementary School, a Middle School, a High School, and Cape Cod Technical School. There is also a parochial elementary school associated with Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in West Harwich. For the school year beginning in the Fall 1996, the high school had 400 students, the middle school 459 students, and Cape Cod Tech 59 students from Harwich. 16 Harwich Students attend the Lighthouse Charter School in Orleans. From the Harwich High School graduating class of 1996, 65% of the students went to four-year colleges, 17% went to community or junior colleges, and 14% became employed. Three students entered military service.