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CITY · 2020 ACS

Wakefield

Massachusetts · 27,090 residents · 7.394 sq mi
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The short version

Wakefield is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $103,696. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 54% 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 $557,800. Poverty is rare here, at 5.0% of residents.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.9
US median: 38.8
More educated
54% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 54%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
27,090
+9%since 2000
from 24,804 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
3,664 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 3,355 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.9
+10%since 2000
from 38.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
24K25K26K27K28K1990201020202024Wakefield
202428K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$103,696
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $66,117 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$53,524
+76%since 2000
from $30,369 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
64.1%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 57.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.0%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information9.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.7%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services7.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, food3%
US avg: 2%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$557,800
+54%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $240,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,513
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $795 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 72.0% in 2000
28.7% rent
Afford Score
5.4
+48%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wakefield on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(23,902)
Black0.4%(106)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(204)
Asian1.4%(353)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.6%(1,642)
2020
White, non-Hispanic85.7%(23,223)
Black1.5%(410)
Hispanic / Latino4.2%(1,146)
Asian4.2%(1,143)
Other1.8%(489)
Diversity Score27.8%(7,534)
Diversity Score
28
+320%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
53.6%
+13.9 ptssince 2000
from 39.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.6%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 90.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
22.1%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
33.0 min
+71%since 2000
from 19.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
72.6%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 77.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.3%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.7%
−5.3 ptssince 2011
from 7.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
69.8%
−5.0 ptssince 2011
from 74.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
57.0%
−14.9 ptssince 2009
from 71.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
50.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
7.5%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.5%
−95.3 ptssince 2013
from 97.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Wakefield to nearby cities

WAKEFIELD VS
Lynnfield
Income$175,265+69%
Home value$917,600+65%
Population13,064−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAKEFIELD VS
Stoneham
Income$113,964+10%
Home value$671,900+20%
Population23,355−16%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAKEFIELD VS
Reading
Income$165,912+60%
Home value$809,000+45%
Population25,612−8%
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WAKEFIELD VS
Melrose
Income$133,953+29%
Home value$822,900+48%
Population29,597+6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wakefield, Massachusetts?

Wakefield, Massachusetts has about 27,090 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wakefield, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Wakefield, Massachusetts earns about $103,696 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wakefield, Massachusetts expensive?

In Wakefield, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $557,800, and the typical rent is about $1,513 a month.

How educated are people in Wakefield, Massachusetts?

About 53.6% of adults age 25 and over in Wakefield, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wakefield, Massachusetts?

About 5.0% of people in Wakefield, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wakefield, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Wakefield, Massachusetts has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,265 residents, a change of about 9 percent over that period.

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

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