Self-Employment
Self-employment plays a critical role in the Cape Cod economy. In 2024, more than 16,000, or 14% of Barnstable County residents were self-employed either in their own incorporated business or in their own or a family member’s unincorporated business. Men comprise the majority of self-employed residents in Barnstable County, as in both Massachusetts and the United States, and have significantly higher median annual earnings than their female counterparts. In all geographies and genders, individuals self-employed in their own incorporated business had higher earnings than individuals self-employed in their own or a family member’s unincorporated business.
Download an Excel file of the Self-Employment Dashboard data.