Yarmouth Port is the historic, quieter northern village of the Town of Yarmouth, stretching from Route 6 (the Mid-Cape Highway) to Cape Cod Bay. Settled in the 1630s as part of one of the earliest English communities on Cape Cod, the village grew around the maritime trades — fishing, salt-making, and sea commerce. By the 1800s, Yarmouth Port was home to some of the Cape's wealthiest sea captains, whose Federal and Greek Revival homes still line Route 6A today.
Unlike South and West Yarmouth — which are defined by Route 28 and tourism — Yarmouth Port is characterized by tree-lined residential streets, historic sea captain's homes along Route 6A, cultural institutions, and a more rural Cape Cod feel. It is the village most associated with Yarmouth's colonial and maritime heritage. The village is also home to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) headquarters, the Edward Gorey House museum, and the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth.
Yarmouth Port residents are represented at the federal, state, and local level. Here are your elected officials and how to reach them:
🗺️ Yarmouth Port — Precinct 1
Yarmouth Port voters are assigned to Precinct 1. Your polling location for all town and state elections is:
340 Route 6A, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
Hours on Election Day: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Open Town Meeting
Yarmouth uses an Open Town Meeting system — one of the oldest forms of direct democracy in America. All registered voters can attend and vote in person at the Annual Town Meeting, typically held each spring at Mattacheese Middle School.
Covers: Yarmouth Port (north of Route 6)
2020 Population: 3,235
Polling Place: Fire Station 2, Route 6A
Click map to view full size
| Service | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Police Department | 340 Higgins Crowell Rd, West Yarmouth | Non-emergency: (508) 775-0445. Yarmouth PD serves all villages. Website |
| Fire Station 2 (Yarmouth Port) | 340 Route 6A, Yarmouth Port | Non-emergency: (508) 398-2212. Also serves as Precinct 1 polling location. Website |
| Yarmouth Port Library | 297 Main St (Route 6A), Yarmouth Port | Part of CLAMS network. Programs, Wi-Fi, meeting rooms. yarmouthportlibrary.org |
| Post Office | 170 Route 6A, Yarmouth Port | ZIP: 02675. Standard USPS hours. |
| Town Hall / Town Clerk | 1146 Route 28, South Yarmouth | Voter registration, dog licenses, vital records. yarmouth.ma.us |
Gray's Beach & Bass Hole Boardwalk
A small Cape Cod Bay beach with a dramatic boardwalk extending over the salt marsh. One of the most photographed spots in Yarmouth, offering stunning sunset views and bird-watching opportunities. Free parking, no sticker required.
Edward Gorey House
A museum dedicated to the life and work of Edward Gorey, the acclaimed illustrator and author known for his macabre pen-and-ink drawings. Located at 8 Strawberry Lane. Open seasonally April through December. edwardgoreyhouse.org
Route 6A — Old King's Highway
A designated scenic road and one of the oldest roads in America. Route 6A through Yarmouth Port features historic homes, antique shops, and small businesses under the protection of the Old King's Highway Historic District.
Captain Bangs Hallet House
An 1840 Greek Revival sea captain's home maintained by the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth. Open for tours and events, showcasing the maritime heritage of the village. Located at 11 Strawberry Lane. hsoy.org
IFAW Headquarters
The International Fund for Animal Welfare maintains its global headquarters at 290 Summer Street in Yarmouth Port, making the village home to one of the world's leading wildlife conservation organizations.
Botanical Trails of the Historical Society
Fifty acres of walking trails through woodlands, a rhododendron garden, and a pond — maintained by the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth. Free and open year-round. Trailhead on Route 6A near the Hallet House.
Yarmouth Port is the smallest of Yarmouth's three census-designated places by population, but has the highest concentration of historic properties. The village tends to attract an older, more affluent demographic than South or West Yarmouth. Many homes are well-maintained historic properties, and the Old King's Highway Historic District imposes design review standards that help preserve the village's character.
Full-service hospital, 24/7 Emergency Dept., Level III Trauma Center.
(508) 771-1800
Urgent care, primary care, and specialty services. Walk-ins accepted.
Historic District & Development Pressure
The Old King's Highway Regional Historic District Commission oversees exterior changes to buildings in Yarmouth Port's historic zone. While this protects the village's character, some property owners find the review process restrictive. There is ongoing tension between preservation goals and the desire for modernization and new development.
Coastal Erosion & Sea-Level Concerns
Yarmouth Port's Cape Cod Bay shoreline faces gradual erosion and the long-term effects of rising sea levels. Some waterfront properties and public access points have experienced noticeable changes over recent decades. The town is monitoring these conditions as part of its broader climate-resilience planning.
Sewer Expansion — Future Phases
While the current $207M sewer expansion is focused on South and West Yarmouth, future phases may extend infrastructure into Yarmouth Port. Property owners on the north side should monitor town planning discussions for updates on potential assessments and connection requirements.
- Select Board Meetings— Town-wide policy decisions.
- Old King's Highway Historic District Commission— Reviews exterior changes to buildings in the historic zone.
- Conservation Commission— Wetlands, coastal, and environmental oversight.
- Town Meeting— Direct democracy where voters decide budgets and bylaws.
- Back to Yarmouth Town Page →