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CITY · 2020 ACS

Cambridge

Massachusetts · 118,403 residents · 6.397 sq mi
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The short version

Cambridge is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $107,490. Population has grown 17% since 2000. 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $843,100. At a median age of 30.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 27% more than the Massachusetts median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 30.6
US median: 38.8
More educated
79% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 69%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
118,403
+17%since 2000
from 101,355 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
18,509 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 15,844 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
30.6
+1%since 2000
from 30.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
94K100K107K114K121K1990201020202024Cambridge
2024119K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$107,490
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,979 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$61,036
+96%since 2000
from $31,156 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
63.8%
+19.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2000
from 12.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade6.5%
US avg: 10%
Other services6.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Information5.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Public administration5%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3.2%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance1.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade1.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$843,100
+69%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $331,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,293
+59%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $962 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
30.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 32.3% in 2000
69.9% rent
Afford Score
7.8
+13%since 2000
from 6.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cambridge on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic64.6%(65,425)
Black11.5%(11,627)
Hispanic / Latino7.4%(7,455)
Asian11.8%(11,984)
Other0%
Diversity Score63%(63,897)
2020
White, non-Hispanic55.4%(65,553)
Black10.1%(12,016)
Hispanic / Latino9.1%(10,738)
Asian19.1%(22,628)
Other4.8%(5,633)
Diversity Score78.1%(92,446)
Diversity Score
78
+24%since 2000
from 63 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
79.1%
+13.9 ptssince 2000
from 65.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.5%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 89.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
49.6%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 38.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.5 min
+77%since 2000
from 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
24.3%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 32.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
32.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 31.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 6.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
69.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2011
from 68.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
76.7%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 83.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Female
49.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Foreign born
29.2%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 25.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.3%
−94.3 ptssince 2013
from 96.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Cambridge

CambridgeportEast CambridgeMid-CambridgeNorth CambridgePeabodyRiversideThe Port - Area 4Wellington-HarringtonWest CambridgeNeighborhoods in Cambridge
Drill deeper

Places similar to Cambridge

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Pop 104,812
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Head to head

Compare Cambridge to nearby cities

CAMBRIDGE VS
Somerville
Income$132,572+23%
Home value$911,300+8%
Population84,211−31%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAMBRIDGE VS
Medford
Income$129,540+21%
Home value$755,500−10%
Population59,834−51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAMBRIDGE VS
Belmont
Income$183,137+70%
Home value$1,159,000+37%
Population27,175−78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAMBRIDGE VS
Arlington
Income$150,701+40%
Home value$933,800+11%
Population46,350−62%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cambridge, Massachusetts?

Cambridge, Massachusetts has about 118,403 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cambridge, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Cambridge, Massachusetts earns about $107,490 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cambridge, Massachusetts expensive?

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $843,100, and the typical rent is about $2,293 a month.

How educated are people in Cambridge, Massachusetts?

About 79.1% of adults age 25 and over in Cambridge, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cambridge, Massachusetts?

About 12.0% of people in Cambridge, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cambridge, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Cambridge, Massachusetts has grown since 1990. The population has added about 22,601 residents, a change of about 24 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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