Dukes County is a county in southeastern Massachusetts, consisting primarily of the Elizabeth Islands and the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Vineyard Sound, south of Cape Cod. Created in 1695, it has long been associated with the state’s coastal and maritime history and is geographically distinct as an island county rather than part of the mainland. Dukes County is small in population, with roughly 17,000 residents (2020), though seasonal fluctuations are significant due to tourism and second-home ownership. The county is largely rural in land use, characterized by beaches, dunes, coastal ponds, and wooded areas, along with small town centers and historic villages. Key economic activity includes tourism, services, construction, and marine-related industries, complemented by conservation and agriculture in limited areas. The county seat is Edgartown, located on Martha’s Vineyard.

Dukes County Local Demographic Profile

Dukes County is a small, island-based county in southeastern Massachusetts, encompassing Martha’s Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands. It is one of the Commonwealth’s least-populous counties and has strong seasonal population dynamics due to tourism and second-home ownership.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Dukes County, Massachusetts, the county’s resident population count and annual estimates are published by the Census Bureau and presented alongside key social and economic indicators. (This profile relies on the county-level figures reported directly by the Census Bureau on the referenced page.)

Age & Gender

County-level age distribution (including standard Census groupings such as under 18, 18–64, and 65+) and sex composition (male/female shares) are published in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Dukes County QuickFacts. The QuickFacts table reports these measures consistently across U.S. counties using American Community Survey (ACS) and decennial census data products where applicable.

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Race and Hispanic/Latino origin shares for Dukes County are reported in the Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Dukes County, including major categories such as White, Black or African American, Asian, and “Two or more races,” as well as Hispanic or Latino (of any race). These are county-level statistics and align with standard Census Bureau race and ethnicity definitions.

Household and Housing Data

Household and housing indicators for Dukes County—commonly including number of households, average household size, owner-occupied versus renter-occupied housing, and total housing units—are published in the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts table for Dukes County. The same source also provides housing-related measures often used in local planning contexts (such as housing unit counts and occupancy measures).

Local Government and Planning Resources

For local government information and county-level services, consult the Dukes County official website.

Email Usage

Dukes County, Massachusetts (Martha’s Vineyard and nearby islands) has low population density and water-separated communities, which can constrain last‑mile broadband buildout and make reliable digital communication—including email—more dependent on local infrastructure.

Direct county-level email usage rates are not routinely published; broadband and device access are used as proxies because email access generally requires an internet subscription and a computing device. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), local indicators such as household broadband subscriptions and computer availability describe the baseline capacity for regular email use. Age structure also shapes adoption: the county’s comparatively older age profile (ACS age distributions) is associated in national research with lower digital adoption and less frequent use of online services, including email, than younger cohorts. Gender composition is typically near parity in ACS county profiles and is less predictive of email adoption than age and connectivity.

Connectivity limitations are influenced by island geography and backhaul dependence; public planning and service context are summarized through Massachusetts broadband initiatives (e.g., the Massachusetts Broadband Institute) and local information from the County of Dukes County.

Mobile Phone Usage

Dukes County is a small, coastal county in southeastern Massachusetts made up primarily of Martha’s Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands. Its geography is defined by island terrain, extensive shoreline, and seasonal population swings tied to tourism. Compared with Massachusetts overall, Dukes County has low year-round population density and limited backhaul options (submarine/ferry-dependent logistics and constrained rights-of-way), which can affect both the extent of mobile network buildout and the consistency of service, especially outside town centers.

Mobile connectivity context and key distinctions

Network availability refers to where mobile carriers report service (voice/LTE/5G) as being offered. Household adoption refers to whether residents actually subscribe to mobile service and use mobile broadband, either as a complement to fixed internet or as their primary connection. These measures often diverge in island communities where coverage exists but capacity, indoor performance, or plan costs affect real-world usage.

Network availability (coverage) in Dukes County

FCC-reported mobile broadband coverage (4G LTE and 5G)

The most standardized public source for county-area mobile coverage is the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection (BDC), which includes carrier-reported coverage polygons for mobile broadband technologies. FCC maps can be used to view:

  • 4G LTE availability (generally widespread in many populated areas but varies by carrier and specific island location)
  • 5G availability (often present in pockets, with coverage that can be more limited and uneven than LTE depending on spectrum band and tower placement)

Authoritative, map-based availability data is accessible through the FCC:

Limitations: FCC availability reflects provider-reported service and does not measure actual speeds, congestion, or indoor signal performance. County-level summaries also obscure within-county variation across different parts of Martha’s Vineyard and the smaller islands.

Massachusetts broadband planning context (state-level)

Massachusetts broadband planning and program context, including mapping resources that may reference mobile coverage or mobile-as-a-supplement considerations, is maintained by the Commonwealth:

Limitations: State broadband programs primarily emphasize fixed broadband; mobile coverage detail may be less granular than FCC mobile datasets.

Household adoption and mobile access indicators (measured usage/adoption)

Census/ACS indicators available for county geographies

For household adoption, the most consistently published indicators are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). At the county level, ACS typically supports measures such as:

  • Households with a computer and internet subscription
  • Types of internet subscription, including cellular data plan subscriptions (often reported as a subscription type, sometimes alongside cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite)

Relevant sources:

Limitations: ACS internet subscription tables indicate whether households report certain subscription types, but they do not directly measure mobile network quality, device model capability (LTE vs 5G), or day-to-day mobile data consumption.

Mobile-only vs fixed-plus-mobile adoption

ACS can support analysis of households that rely on cellular data plans (sometimes in combination with, or instead of, fixed broadband). This distinguishes adoption behavior from availability:

  • A household may be located in an area with reported 4G/5G availability but still subscribe to fixed broadband due to reliability or plan economics.
  • Conversely, some households may report cellular plans as their primary internet subscription even where fixed service exists, often linked to affordability or housing type.

Mobile internet usage patterns (LTE vs 5G) and typical performance considerations

Technology availability versus usage

  • Availability: FCC maps identify where carriers report LTE and 5G coverage.
  • Usage patterns: County-level public statistics that quantify the share of users on LTE versus 5G are generally not published in a standardized way for a single county. Carrier subscriber technology mix is usually proprietary.

Common real-world factors affecting mobile internet use on islands

In coastal/island settings like Dukes County, observed patterns documented in broadband planning and telecommunications engineering contexts often hinge on:

  • Backhaul constraints (limited fiber routes and fewer redundant paths), affecting peak-hour performance even where signal coverage exists.
  • Seasonal congestion from large temporary increases in population, affecting throughput and latency in busy areas.
  • Indoor coverage challenges in areas with limited tower density and buildings with materials that attenuate signal.

Limitations: Without carrier-released county subscriber data and standardized drive-test datasets published for Dukes County, usage patterns by radio technology (LTE vs 5G) cannot be quantified definitively at the county level using public datasets alone.

Common device types (smartphones vs other devices)

What can be measured publicly

  • The ACS measures computer access and internet subscription, but it does not provide a definitive county-level breakdown of smartphone ownership versus basic phones as a device category in the way mobile industry datasets do.
  • National health surveys and some research datasets measure smartphone ownership, but county-level estimates for Dukes County are not typically published as official statistics.

What can be stated without overreach

  • Mobile broadband consumption in the U.S. is predominantly driven by smartphones rather than feature phones, and this is consistent with how “cellular data plan” subscriptions are generally used.
  • Dedicated mobile broadband devices (hotspots/routers) and tablets are present but are not consistently enumerated at the county level in public federal datasets.

Limitations: A county-specific, public, device-type split (smartphone vs feature phone vs hotspot) is not available from FCC BDC or standard ACS tables.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Dukes County

Island geography and settlement pattern

  • Dukes County’s population is concentrated in specific towns and villages on Martha’s Vineyard, with less dense areas in between. Lower density increases per-user infrastructure costs and can reduce tower siting options, influencing availability and capacity.
  • Coastal terrain and vegetation can affect propagation, contributing to localized coverage variation that county averages do not capture.

For local geographic context:

Seasonal population dynamics

  • Seasonal visitor influx increases network demand, which can affect experienced speeds and network congestion during peak months even when coverage is present year-round.
  • Adoption measures from ACS primarily reflect the year-round resident population and do not capture short-term demand spikes.

Housing and affordability dynamics

  • Areas with higher housing costs and seasonal occupancy can have different adoption patterns than mainland counties. ACS tables can be used to compare income, housing occupancy (seasonal/vacant), and subscription types for Dukes County via data.census.gov.
  • These demographic factors influence household adoption choices (fixed broadband + mobile versus mobile-only) more directly than they influence reported coverage.

Data limitations and best-available public sources

  • Availability (network coverage): Best assessed using the FCC National Broadband Map, recognizing provider-reported limitations.
  • Adoption (household subscriptions): Best assessed using ACS tables on data.census.gov (cellular data plan subscription and overall internet adoption).
  • Technology usage split (LTE vs 5G) and device-type prevalence: Not reliably published at the county level in standardized public datasets; carrier and analytics datasets are typically proprietary.

Summary: what is known at county scale

  • Dukes County’s island geography, low year-round density, and seasonal population changes are central determinants of mobile network experience.
  • Public sources clearly support separating reported mobile availability (FCC BDC) from household adoption/subscription patterns (ACS).
  • County-level public statistics do not robustly quantify LTE-versus-5G usage shares or smartphone-versus-feature-phone ownership splits; the most defensible public approach relies on FCC availability mapping plus ACS subscription-type adoption indicators.

Social Media Trends

Dukes County is a small, seasonal coastal county in Massachusetts comprising Martha’s Vineyard (including towns such as Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven/Tisbury) and the Elizabeth Islands. Its population, visitor volume, and service- and tourism-oriented economy create a communications environment with strong emphasis on mobile connectivity, local community updates, events, and short-notice operational information (ferries, weather, road and beach conditions), all of which tend to support frequent social media use for timely, local content.

User statistics (penetration and activity)

  • County-specific social media penetration rates are not published in major federal statistical products; most credible measurement is available at the national and (sometimes) state level rather than the county level.
  • Nationally, about seven-in-ten U.S. adults use social media (roughly 70%), providing a defensible benchmark for adult usage rates in U.S. counties with similar internet access profiles. Source: Pew Research Center’s Social Media Fact Sheet.
  • For local context on population size and demographics used in county-level planning, see the U.S. Census Bureau’s county profile: QuickFacts: Dukes County, Massachusetts.

Age group trends (who uses social media most)

National survey evidence consistently shows usage is highest among younger adults and declines with age:

  • 18–29: highest adoption across major platforms; near-universal usage on some services in many survey waves.
  • 30–49: high adoption, typically slightly below 18–29.
  • 50–64: majority usage but lower than under-50 groups.
  • 65+: lowest usage overall, though still substantial for certain platforms (notably Facebook). Primary source: Pew Research Center social media usage (age breakdowns by platform).

Gender breakdown

  • Nationally, women report higher usage than men on several social platforms, and platform-specific gender skews are common (for example, Pinterest tends to skew female; some discussion- and gaming-adjacent platforms skew male).
  • Platform-by-platform gender distributions are summarized in: Pew Research Center’s platform demographic tables.

Most-used platforms (percent using each platform)

County-specific platform shares are generally not available from reputable public datasets, so the most defensible figures are national adult benchmarks:

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

  • Mobile-first usage dominates: Social media use in the U.S. is heavily smartphone-centered, aligning with Dukes County’s visitor-heavy, on-the-go information needs (travel logistics, dining, events, public safety updates). National device context is tracked by Pew: Pew Research Center mobile fact resources.
  • Local information and community coordination: In smaller communities, Facebook pages/groups and Instagram accounts are commonly used for event promotion, service updates, and community notices; this pattern aligns with Pew findings that Facebook remains broadly used across age groups relative to many other platforms: Pew platform-by-age comparisons.
  • Age-driven platform preference: Short-form video platforms (notably TikTok) show substantially higher engagement among younger adults, while older adults cluster more heavily on Facebook; Pew’s platform tables document these gaps: Pew demographic usage by platform.
  • Engagement style differences: Visual platforms (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok) emphasize video/photo consumption and creator-following behaviors; Facebook emphasizes mixed media plus local group interaction; LinkedIn is more professionally oriented. These distinctions track with platform usage and demographic patterns reported in Pew’s fact sheets: Pew Research Center social platform summaries.

Family & Associates Records

Dukes County family-related public records are primarily maintained through Massachusetts’ vital records system, with local copies held by town clerks on Martha’s Vineyard (Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Gosnold, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, West Tisbury). Records generally include births, deaths, and marriages; divorces are recorded in court records rather than in vital records. Adoption records are handled by the Commonwealth and courts and are generally not publicly accessible.

Statewide vital records (including certified copies) are administered by the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics; online ordering is available through Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics and the Commonwealth’s service portal Massachusetts Vital Records. Many towns also provide in-person access and certified copies through the local town clerk’s office; town contact information is listed via the county’s municipal directory at Dukes County (Mass.gov location page).

Associate-related public records (such as deeds, mortgages, and liens that can evidence family or business connections) are recorded with the Dukes County Registry of Deeds (Mass Land Records), which provides online document search and imaging, with in-person access at the Registry.

Privacy and access restrictions are governed by Massachusetts law; certified vital records access is limited for certain record types and time periods, and adoption files are typically sealed.

Marriage & Divorce Records

Types of records available

Marriage records

  • Marriage intention (often called “marriage license” in common usage): In Massachusetts, couples generally file a Notice of Intention of Marriage with a city or town clerk. After the marriage is solemnized, the event is recorded.
  • Marriage certificate / marriage record: The official record of the marriage as recorded by the local clerk and transmitted to the state. Certified copies are issued from the record held by the custodian.

Divorce records

  • Divorce docket/case file: Court file documenting the divorce action (pleadings, motions, orders, judgment).
  • Judgment of Divorce Nisi and Judgment Absolute: Massachusetts divorces typically enter as a Judgment of Divorce Nisi and later become final (absolute) after the statutory waiting period.
  • Divorce decree/judgment copies: Certified copies are available from the court that granted the divorce, subject to access rules.

Annulment records

  • Annulment case file and judgment: Annulments are handled through the Massachusetts trial courts (Probate and Family Court). Records include the petition and the judgment declaring the marriage void/voidable, as applicable.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Marriage records (Dukes County)

  • Local filing and custody: Marriage intentions and the resulting marriage record are maintained by the city or town clerk in the Massachusetts municipality where the intention was filed and/or where the marriage was recorded. In Dukes County, this commonly involves town clerks on Martha’s Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands.
  • State copies: Massachusetts maintains statewide vital records, including marriage records, through the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS).
  • Access methods: Common access channels include in-person clerk requests, written/mail requests, and state-issued certified copies through RVRS-authorized processes. Online ordering is typically available through state-authorized vendors for Massachusetts vital records.

Divorce and annulment records (Dukes County)

  • Court filing and custody: Divorce and annulment proceedings are filed and maintained by the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court serving Dukes County (trial court division with jurisdiction over domestic relations). The court maintains the docket and case file and issues certified copies of judgments.
  • Access methods: Access is generally through the courthouse clerk’s office (in person or by request). Some docket information may be available through Massachusetts Trial Court online services; comprehensive case documents are not universally available online and are subject to court policies.

Typical information included in these records

Marriage intentions / marriage records

  • Full names of the parties (including prior names as reported)
  • Dates and places of birth (commonly)
  • Residences and occupations at the time of filing (commonly)
  • Parents’ names (commonly)
  • Date and place of marriage; officiant/solemnizer information
  • Clerk certification details and filing/recording references

Divorce case files and judgments

  • Names of parties; date and place of marriage
  • Court docket number; filing date; county/court location
  • Grounds or basis stated in the pleadings (where applicable in the record)
  • Orders and agreements incorporated into judgment (e.g., custody/parenting schedule, child support, alimony, division of assets/debts)
  • Dates of Judgment of Divorce Nisi and finalization (absolute), as applicable

Annulment case files and judgments

  • Names of parties; date/place of purported marriage
  • Petition allegations supporting annulment
  • Court findings and judgment; docket and filing information
  • Any associated orders (e.g., custody/support issues addressed in the proceeding)

Privacy or legal restrictions

Marriage records

  • Massachusetts vital records (including marriage records) are generally treated as public records, with access to certified copies governed by state vital records laws and administrative rules. Requesters typically must provide identifying details to locate the record and pay statutory fees.

Divorce and annulment records

  • Court records are generally public, but access can be restricted by law or court order for specific materials (for example, impounded or sealed documents).
  • Certain sensitive information is protected by law and court rules (for example, protected personal identifiers). Case files may include documents subject to redaction or limited access.
  • Certified copies of judgments are issued by the court clerk, and availability of particular documents may be limited where impoundment, sealing, or statutory confidentiality applies.

Official resources

Education, Employment and Housing

Dukes County is an island county off southeastern Massachusetts consisting primarily of Martha’s Vineyard (and the Elizabeth Islands). It is a small, seasonal community with a large influx of summer residents and visitors, a relatively older year‑round population compared with the state overall, and high housing costs driven by limited land supply and second‑home demand. The year‑round population is about 17,000 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020), with a labor market and school system shaped by tourism seasonality and inter‑island travel constraints.

Education Indicators

Public schools (counts and names)

Dukes County’s public education is organized through several districts serving the Island towns. Public schools commonly listed for Dukes County/Martha’s Vineyard include:

  • Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) (Oak Bluffs)
  • Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School (Oak Bluffs)
  • Edgartown School (Edgartown)
  • Oak Bluffs School (Oak Bluffs)
  • Tisbury School (Vineyard Haven, Tisbury)
  • West Tisbury School (West Tisbury)
  • Chilmark School (Chilmark)
  • Up‑Island Regional School (URS) (West Tisbury/serving Chilmark & West Tisbury grades, structure varies by grade configuration)

School names and grade configurations are best verified against district/school profiles published by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) via the DESE school and district profiles (Massachusetts DESE Profiles), which provides the authoritative current roster.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

  • Student–teacher ratios: School‑level ratios vary by town and grade span. Small elementary schools in rural/island settings often operate at lower student counts, which can yield relatively low ratios, but staffing constraints can also limit course breadth at the secondary level. The most current student–teacher ratios are reported at the school level in DESE Profiles (Massachusetts DESE Profiles).
  • Graduation rates: Dukes County’s comprehensive public high school is Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. The 4‑year cohort graduation rate is reported annually by DESE for the school and district; the most recent official value should be taken directly from DESE Profiles (Massachusetts DESE Profiles) and the DESE graduation rate reports (Massachusetts DESE Graduation Rates).
    Note: Countywide “average” student–teacher ratios and graduation rates are not always published as a single county metric; DESE school/district reporting is the most reliable proxy for current values.

Adult educational attainment

Using U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) estimates for Dukes County (most commonly cited as 5‑year estimates for small counties):

  • High school diploma (or equivalent) or higher (age 25+): approximately 90%+ (ACS 5‑year typical range for the county; exact current estimate varies by release year).
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+): approximately 45%–55% (ACS 5‑year typical range; exact current estimate varies by release year).

The most recent ACS tables for Dukes County educational attainment are available via Census data profiles (data.census.gov) and QuickFacts (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts).
Note: Because Dukes County has a small permanent population, ACS estimates can have wider margins of error than mainland counties.

Notable programs (STEM, vocational, AP)

  • Advanced Placement (AP): MVRHS typically offers AP coursework (availability varies year to year by staffing and student demand).
  • Career/technical and vocational pathways: Massachusetts CTE programs are usually delivered through designated technical high schools or approved programs; on Martha’s Vineyard, vocational/CTE offerings are commonly delivered as in‑house pathways and partnerships rather than a large stand‑alone technical campus. Current approved programs and course offerings are best verified through school program listings and DESE reporting.
  • STEM and enrichment: Island districts commonly emphasize environmental science/marine and conservation-related learning due to local context; the definitive list of STEM courses and structured programs is school-specific and varies annually.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Across Massachusetts public schools, standard safety practices include controlled building access, emergency preparedness drills aligned with state guidance, and coordination with local public safety agencies. Counseling resources typically include school counselors and student support staff, with service intensity varying by school size. Dukes County school-specific safety plans and counseling staffing are most reliably documented in district policy documents and school handbooks; high-level indicators (staffing categories, selected climate metrics) appear in DESE Profiles (Massachusetts DESE Profiles).
Note: Detailed security measures are not consistently published in comparable public datasets for all schools.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent available)

Dukes County’s unemployment is measured monthly and annually by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). The county typically shows pronounced seasonal swings (lower unemployment in summer; higher in winter). The most recent official unemployment rates are published by BLS and can be retrieved via BLS LAUS county data (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics) and Massachusetts labor market reporting.
Proxy statement (data access constraint): A single “most recent year” point value is not embedded here because the LAUS series updates frequently; BLS LAUS is the authoritative source for the latest annual average.

Major industries and employment sectors

The employment base is dominated by service activity tied to tourism and second-home ownership, with significant public-sector and construction roles:

  • Accommodation and food services (hotels, restaurants, seasonal hospitality)
  • Retail trade
  • Health care and social assistance
  • Educational services and public administration (schools, town/county functions)
  • Construction (driven by housing demand, renovation, and seasonal building cycles)
  • Real estate and rental/leasing (property management and related services)

Industry composition can be verified through ACS industry tables and regional labor market profiles on data.census.gov.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Common occupational groups in island counties with tourism-driven economies typically include:

  • Service occupations (food prep/serving, building/grounds cleaning, personal care)
  • Sales and office occupations
  • Construction and extraction occupations
  • Education, training, and library occupations
  • Healthcare practitioners and support
  • Management occupations (including small business management and property operations)

The most recent occupational shares for Dukes County are available via ACS occupation tables on data.census.gov.
Note: Small-area occupational estimates can be volatile year-to-year; ACS 5-year profiles are generally the most stable.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

  • Typical commuting patterns: Many residents commute within the Island towns, with additional commuting to off-island jobs involving ferry travel to the Cape (notably Falmouth/Woods Hole) and onward to mainland employment centers. Seasonal employment also increases intra-island commuting.
  • Mean travel time to work: ACS reports mean commute time; Dukes County’s mean travel time is generally in the mid‑20 to low‑30 minute range (varies by ACS release). The current estimate is available in the ACS “Commuting (Journey to Work)” tables on data.census.gov.
    Proxy statement (data access constraint): Exact mean commute minutes should be cited from the latest ACS 5‑year table due to annual updates.

Local employment versus out-of-county work

Most workers are employed within Dukes County, but a notable share works outside the county due to specialized jobs and higher-wage opportunities on the mainland, requiring ferry-based commuting. The ACS “Place of Work” and “County-to-County Flows” style tables (where available) provide the best quantitative breakdown on data.census.gov.
Note: Island geography increases time and cost for out-of-county commuting, which typically limits daily long-distance commuting compared with mainland suburban counties.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

Dukes County has a high share of owner-occupied housing, alongside a substantial seasonal/vacant housing stock associated with second homes. The ACS provides:

  • Owner-occupied share vs. renter-occupied share (occupied units only)
  • Seasonal/vacant unit share (vacancy categories)

These measures are available via ACS housing tables on data.census.gov and summarized in QuickFacts (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts).
Proxy statement: Dukes County is widely characterized by a high proportion of seasonal homes; the exact current seasonal/vacant percentage should be taken from ACS housing vacancy tables.

Median property values and recent trends

  • Median home value: Dukes County’s median owner-occupied home value is among the highest in Massachusetts, reflecting constrained supply and second-home demand. The median value is reported in ACS and is also reflected in assessor aggregates.
  • Recent trends: Values rose substantially during 2020–2022 across coastal Massachusetts; Dukes County generally followed or exceeded these increases due to limited inventory, with subsequent periods showing slower growth but persistently high prices.
    The most recent median value is available in ACS housing value tables on data.census.gov.
    Note: Median sale prices from local realtor/MLS reports can differ from ACS “value” estimates; ACS is the standardized public dataset.

Typical rent prices

  • Median gross rent: Reported by ACS; Dukes County rents are typically high relative to the U.S. overall and often constrained by limited year‑round rental supply and seasonal conversion of units.
    The current median gross rent estimate is available on data.census.gov.
    Proxy statement: Market asking rents can exceed ACS medians, particularly for scarce year‑round leases.

Types of housing

  • Single-family detached homes are a predominant form, including year‑round residences and seasonal/second homes.
  • Small multifamily buildings and apartments exist in town centers (e.g., Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown) but are limited in scale compared with mainland urban areas.
  • Rural lots and low-density housing characterize up-island areas (e.g., Chilmark, Aquinnah, parts of West Tisbury), with environmental constraints and conservation land shaping development patterns.

Housing type distributions (single-family, multifamily, etc.) are available in ACS “Units in Structure” tables on data.census.gov.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools/amenities)

  • Town-center areas (Vineyard Haven/Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown) concentrate civic services, ferry access, retail, and many school facilities, supporting shorter local trips and more walkable access to amenities.
  • Up-island areas are more rural with longer travel times to services and schools, but generally less congestion and greater proximity to conservation/open space.
  • School proximity varies by town; elementary schools are typically embedded in town centers, while the regional high school is centrally located for island-wide access.

Property tax overview (rate and typical cost)

Property taxation is set by each town (municipal assessor), so tax rates vary within Dukes County. Massachusetts property taxes are typically expressed as tax per $1,000 of assessed value, and homeowners often face:

  • High assessed values (driving higher tax bills even where rates are moderate)
  • Residential exemptions or classifications in some towns (where applicable under Massachusetts law)

The most current tax rates and average tax bills are published by town assessors and can also be summarized by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s municipal finance and tax rate reporting (Massachusetts Division of Local Services).
Proxy statement (data access constraint): A single countywide “average property tax rate” is not standard because rates are municipal; town-level rates and median tax bills provide the most accurate picture.

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Other Counties in Massachusetts