Brewster is a somewhat small coastal town (i.e. on the ocean, a bay, or inlet) located in the state of Massachusetts. With a population of 10,444 people and two associated neighborhoods, Brewster is the 180th largest community in Massachusetts.
Housing costs in Brewster are among some of the highest in the nation, although real estate prices here don't compare to real estate prices in the most expensive communities in Massachusetts.
A relatively large number of people in Brewster telecommute to their jobs. Overall, about 11.33% of the workforce works from home. While this may seem like a small number, as a fraction of the total workforce it ranks among the highest in the country. These workers are often telecommuters who work in knowledge-based, white-collar professions. For example, Silicon Valley has large numbers of people who telecommute. Other at-home workers may be self-employed people who operate small businesses out of their homes.
Another notable thing is that Brewster is a major vacation destination. Much of the town’s population is seasonal: many people own second homes and only live there part-time, during the vacation season. The effect on the local economy is that many of the businesses are dependent on tourist dollars, and may operate only during the high season. As the vacation season ends, Brewster’s population drops significantly, such that year-round residents will notice that the city is a much quieter place to live.
Because of many things, Brewster is a very good place for families to consider. With an enviable combination of good schools, low crime, college-educated neighbors who tend to support education because of their own experiences, and a high rate of home ownership in predominantly single-family properties, Brewster really has some of the features that families look for when choosing a good community to raise children. Is Brewster perfect? Of course not, and if you like frenetic nightlife, it will be far from your cup of tea. But overall this is a solid community, with many things to recommend it as a family-friendly place to live.
Brewster is also nautical, which means that parts of it are somewhat historic and touch the ocean or tidal bodies of water, such as inlets and bays. Such areas are often places that visitors and locals go for waterfront activities or taking in the scenery.
The citizens of Brewster are among the most well-educated in the nation: 48.87% of adults in Brewster have a bachelor's degree or even advanced degree, whereas the average US city has 21.84% holding at least a bachelor's degree.
The per capita income in Brewster in 2022 was $61,105, which is upper middle income relative to Massachusetts, and wealthy relative to the rest of the US. This equates to an annual income of $244,420 for a family of four.
The people who call Brewster home describe themselves as belonging to a variety of racial and ethnic groups. The greatest number of Brewster residents report their race to be White, followed by Black or African-American. Important ancestries of people in Brewster include Irish, English, German, Italian, and Polish.
The most common language spoken in Brewster is English. Other important languages spoken here include Polish and Spanish.