Welcome to
Nantucket, Massachusetts — At a Glance
Key Facts About Nantucket Real Estate and Island Living
County
Nantucket County — the island is its own county
Distance from Cape Cod
30 miles south of Cape Cod
Ferry Access
1 hr from Hyannis (Steamship Authority) · 1 hr high-speed
Year-Round Population
~15,000 (50,000+ in summer)
Luxury Entry Point
$3M+ single-family · waterfront from $8M+
Top Neighborhoods
Historic District · Siasconset · Madaket · Brant Point
Coastline
80+ miles — ocean beaches, harbors, conservation land
Historic Designation
Entire island is a National Historic Landmark District
Nantucket is its own county — Nantucket County, Massachusetts — making it unique among New England islands. Located 30 miles south of Cape Cod, it is accessible by Steamship Authority ferry from Hyannis (approximately 1 hour standard, 1 hour high-speed) and by air from Boston Logan (30 minutes). The entire island is a National Historic Landmark District, which restricts development and is the primary driver of the supply constraints that sustain Nantucket's position as one of the most expensive real estate markets in the United States.
Nantucket Real Estate
Nantucket's most significant properties trade before they reach the MLS
Historic District compounds, Siasconset oceanfront estates, and Madaket sunset properties are among the most sought-after real estate in the Northeast — and the most privately traded. Corcoran Property Advisors maintains active relationships across all Nantucket neighborhoods and provides qualified buyers with discreet access to the full market, including off-MLS opportunities.
Located 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Nantucket is a picturesque island known for its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and pristine beaches. The entire island is a National Historic Landmark District — a designation that preserves its character and limits new development in ways that directly benefit property values. This exclusive destination offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich whaling history, and sophisticated year-round living.
Experience the unique character of island life — 80+ miles of pristine coastline, extensive conservation land covering roughly 40% of the island's total area, and a tight-knit year-round community that maintains its integrity through Nantucket's dramatic seasonal population swings. The island's relative isolation is a feature, not a limitation, for buyers who prioritize genuine privacy and natural beauty. See also: How to Buy a Waterfront Property in Massachusetts.
Nantucket's Historic District contains one of the finest collections of pre-Civil War architecture in the United States — Federal and Greek Revival whaling captains' homes, grey-shingled cottages with distinctive widow's walks, and the 18th-century streetscapes of Centre Street and Main Street. The Nantucket Historic District Commission regulates all exterior alterations, which preserves the island's architectural integrity and maintains the premium that historic properties command. Read more: Most Popular Architectural House Styles in New England.
Nantucket's dining scene operates at a standard disproportionate to its year-round population — driven by the summer influx of discerning visitors and the expectations of its permanent resident base. Fresh local seafood, farm-to-table menus drawing from the island's agricultural production, and wine programs that rival urban restaurants define the island's culinary character. The shopping on Centre and Main Streets — galleries, jewelers, clothing boutiques, and specialty food stores — reflects the same standard.
Where to Live
The heart of Nantucket town — cobblestone streets, Federal and Greek Revival architecture, boutique shopping, and the island's most walkable daily life. Properties here include some of the most historically significant homes in Massachusetts, with strict HDC oversight that maintains both the character and the value of the neighborhood. The most prestigious addresses on Upper Main Street and Centre Street sit within this district.
A picturesque village on the island's eastern bluff — rose-covered grey-shingled cottages, dramatic Atlantic Ocean views, and an atmosphere of quiet exclusivity that distinguishes it from the more active Nantucket town scene. Siasconset has long attracted the island's most private buyers, and properties here — particularly the bluff-edge estates — represent the upper tier of the Nantucket market. The Siasconset Casino and the surrounding conservation land give the village a self-contained character unlike anywhere else on the island.
On the island's western end, Madaket is known for Nantucket's most spectacular sunsets, surfing beaches, and a more relaxed atmosphere than the Historic District. Madaket Harbor provides protected boating access, and the surrounding conservation land ensures that the neighborhood's character is preserved. For buyers who want oceanfront with genuine privacy and don't require the walkability of Nantucket town, Madaket delivers the island's most dramatic coastal setting at comparatively lower price points than Siasconset.
Over 80 miles of coastline with pristine beaches, extensive conservation land covering ~40% of the island, and wildlife sanctuaries managed by the Nantucket Conservation Foundation.
Annual Nantucket Film Festival, Daffodil Festival, Christmas Stroll, art shows, and historical reenactments — events that draw the island's community together across the full calendar year.
Sailing, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding in Nantucket Harbor and Madaket Harbor, with Monomoy offering some of the best bonefishing on the East Coast.
A tight-knit year-round community of approximately 15,000 residents — supported by local schools, the Nantucket Cottage Hospital, and organizations that maintain active programming through all four seasons.
Nantucket's seasonal character deserves direct acknowledgment for buyers considering year-round residence: the island population of ~15,000 swells to 50,000+ in July and August, which brings the dining, retail, and cultural activity that makes summer exceptional — and the shoulder and off-seasons a genuinely different experience. Many of the island's most committed year-round residents consider the quiet months its best feature. The infrastructure for year-round living — healthcare, schools, grocery, and essential services — is fully functional and maintained by the permanent resident community.
Nantucket real estate operates at some of the highest price points in Massachusetts — driven by finite supply (National Historic Landmark District designation limits new development), sustained demand from Boston, New York, and international buyers, and the island's position as one of the most consistently prestigious addresses on the Eastern Seaboard. Single-family homes start above $3M in most neighborhoods; waterfront and bluff-edge properties regularly trade at $8M–$20M+. See: Tips for Staging and Selling Your Waterfront Asset.
The island's limited inventory and high demand create a supply-constrained market that has demonstrated consistent long-term appreciation. Historic properties in the District often command premiums over comparable newer construction, as the HDC-regulated architectural character is precisely what buyers are paying for. Seasonal rental yields are among the highest in New England, with premium weeks in July and August commanding rates that generate meaningful income for buyers who use the property part-year. See: Real Estate Negotiation Strategies From an Expert.
Nantucket is its own county — Nantucket County, Massachusetts. The island and the county share the same geographic boundaries, making it one of only a few places in the United States where a single municipality constitutes an entire county. The county seat is Nantucket town.
Nantucket is approximately 30 miles south of Cape Cod and roughly 90 miles from Boston. The practical travel time from Boston is approximately 2.5–3 hours by car to Hyannis and then Steamship Authority ferry (1 hour standard crossing, 1 hour high-speed). Flights from Boston Logan to Nantucket Memorial Airport take approximately 30 minutes — the fastest option for buyers making frequent trips between the island and the city.
Three factors drive Nantucket's exceptional pricing: finite supply (the entire island is a National Historic Landmark District, restricting new development and alterations to existing structures), consistent high demand from wealthy buyers across the Northeast and internationally, and the island's unambiguous position as one of the most prestigious residential addresses on the Eastern Seaboard. These factors combine to create a supply-constrained market with no mechanism for the supply increases that moderate prices in mainland markets.
Siasconset on the island's eastern bluff is consistently considered Nantucket's most exclusive neighborhood — rose-covered cottages, dramatic Atlantic views, and a self-contained village atmosphere that has attracted the island's most private buyers for generations. The bluff-edge properties in Siasconset represent the upper tier of Nantucket pricing. The Historic District's Upper Main Street and Cliff Road addresses are the closest equivalent within Nantucket town.
Yes, though it requires specific expectations. The year-round community of approximately 15,000 is tight-knit and well-supported by local infrastructure — Nantucket Cottage Hospital, strong public schools, grocery and essential services, and active community organizations. The island is fully functional off-season. The trade-off versus summer is the reduction in dining, retail, and social options that the seasonal population supports. Many permanent residents consider the shoulder and winter months the island's best-kept secret.
Discover why Nantucket is one of New England's most exclusive and enduring island destinations. Contact our advisory team for private access to the full market.
14,056 people live in Nantucket, where the median age is 40.6 and the average individual income is $73,165.083. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density
Average individual Income
There's plenty to do around Nantucket, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Souza's Seafood, 167 Raw-Fish Market, and Millie’s Mid-Island.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining · $$ | 1.54 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining · $$ | 2.62 miles | 43 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.19 miles | 4 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.25 miles | 7 reviews | 4.7/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.09 miles | 5 reviews | 4.6/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 0.36 miles | 4 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.22 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.4 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.11 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.55 miles | 15 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.29 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.44 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.15 miles | 21 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.22 miles | 12 reviews | 4.9/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.25 miles | 7 reviews | 4.9/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.69 miles | 14 reviews | 4.9/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.25 miles | 5 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Active | 3.76 miles | 5 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Active | 3.71 miles | 5 reviews | 4.6/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.97 miles | 15 reviews | 4.6/5 stars | |
| Nightlife | 0.31 miles | 10 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.07 miles | 5 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
Nantucket has 4,942 households, with an average household size of 2.81. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Nantucket do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 14,056 people call Nantucket home. The population density is 350.642 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
0-9 Years
10-17 Years
18-24 Years
25-64 Years
65-74 Years
75+ Years
Education Level
Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
With Children:
Without Children:
Blue vs White Collar Workers
Blue Collar:
White Collar:
