Buzzards Bay was originally Wampanoag territory. The “buzzards” for which the town was named were most likely turkey vultures or ospreys. Buzzards Bay was settled by Europeans in 1621.

Among the community’s most prominent residents was President of the United States Grover Cleveland, who maintained a “Summer White House” at his home at Agawam Point in Buzzards Bay. Cleveland’s home, a local landmark, was destroyed by fire on December 10, 1973.

Buzzards Bay is located at 41°45′5″N 70°36′49″W / 41.75139°N 70.61361°W / 41.75139; -70.61361 (41.751364, -70.613563). Along with Bournedale and Sagamore Beach, it is one of three communities in Barnstable County located on the mainland side of the Cape Cod Canal. Excessively drained sand underlies most of the community and the majority is mapped as Carver soil series.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.6 km²). 1.9 square miles (5.0 km²) of it is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km²) of it (34.75%) is water, consisting primarily of Buttermilk Bay, an arm of Buzzards Bay that forms the western edge of the CDP.

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,549 people, 1,216 households, and 795 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 692.1 per km² (1,793.4 per mi²). There were 1,572 housing units at an average density of 306.5 per km² (794.4 per mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.49% White, 0.01% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.99% from other races, and 0.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.04% of the population.

There were 1,216 households, out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 15.9% under the age of 18, 23.0% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 121.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 123.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $99,750, and the median income for a family was $142,165. Males had a median income of $98,702 versus $68,801 for females. The per capita income for the CDPwas $88,304. About 0.4% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.5% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over.