Harwich is a medium-sized coastal town (i.e. on the ocean, a bay, or inlet) located in the state of Massachusetts. With a population of 13,595 people and three associated neighborhoods, Harwich is the 151st largest community in Massachusetts.

Housing costs in Harwich 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.

Of important note, Harwich is also a town of artists. Harwich has more artists, designers and people working in media than 90% of the communities in America. This concentration of artists helps shape Harwich’s character.

Also of interest is that Harwich has more people living here who work in computers and math than 95% of the places in the US.

A relatively large number of people in Harwich telecommute to their jobs. Overall, about 17.16% 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 Harwich 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, Harwich’s population drops significantly, such that year-round residents will notice that the city is a much quieter place to live.

Harwich is a good choice for families with children because of several factors. Many other families with children live here, making it a place where both parents and children are more likely to develop social ties with other families. The town’s good public school district and large population of college-educated adults provide an environment conducive to academic success. Many people own their own single-family homes, providing areas for children to play and stability in the community. Finally, Harwich’s overall crime rate is lower than average for the country.

One of the nice things about Harwich is that it is nautical, which means that parts of it are somewhat historic and touch the ocean or tidal bodies of water, such as inlets and bays. Because of this, visitors and locals will often go to these areas to take in the scenery or to enjoy waterfront activities.

The citizens of Harwich are among the most well-educated in the nation: 46.59% of adults in Harwich 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 Harwich in 2022 was $57,410, which is middle income relative to Massachusetts, and wealthy relative to the rest of the US. This equates to an annual income of $229,640 for a family of four.

The people who call Harwich home describe themselves as belonging to a variety of racial and ethnic groups. The greatest number of Harwich residents report their race to be White, followed by Black or African-American. Important ancestries of people in Harwich include Irish, English, Swedish, Italian, and German.

The most common language spoken in Harwich is English. Other important languages spoken here include Chinese and Armenian.