HYANNIS _ U.S. Census Bureau estimates released this week show the population of Barnstable County continues to drop as the number of deaths dramatically outpaced births.
Between April 1, 2010 and July 1, 2014, there was a total drop in population on Cape Cod of 974 people. During the period, there were 6,791 births, compared to 11,891 deaths.
There was a net migration to the area of 4,107 people, with 2,709 coming from within the United States and the other 1,398 from outside the country.
From July 2013 to July of 2014, there were 2,817 deaths and 1,572 births and net migration of 1,313 people.
Cape Cod’s overall population has continued to age over the past four years, with the median age in Barnstable County now slightly over 50. That compares with Suffolk County, with an average age of 31.8. According to the Census figures, the statewide median age is 39.2
Boston gained nearly 6,000 new residents, with Cambridge (1,962), Everett (1,121), Watertown (997) and Chelsea (980) closing out the top five. The growth in those cities is driven by an influx of young people drawn by the area’s colleges and by immigration.
In addition to Cape Cod, many communities in western Massachusetts experienced declining populations.
Watertown’s 3 percent population growth was the largest in the state.
The state’s least populated town remains Gosnold, the island chain in Buzzards Bay, with 77 residents.