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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Middlesex County

Massachusetts · 1,632,002 residents · 817.866 sq mi
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The short version

Middlesex County is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $106,202. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 57% 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 $540,300. Households here earn about 26% more than the Massachusetts median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 38.8
More educated
57% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 47%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,632,002
+11%since 2000
from 1,465,396 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,995 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 1,792 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.6
+6%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1.4M1.4M1.5M1.6M1.7M1990201020202024Middlesex County
20241.6M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$106,202
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,821 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$54,433
+74%since 2000
from $31,199 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
64.2%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade9.9%
US avg: 10%
Information8.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services7.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, food3%
US avg: 2%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$540,300
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $244,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,714
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $835 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
59.6%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 61.7% in 2000
40.4% rent
Afford Score
5.1
+27%since 2000
from 4.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Middlesex County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic83.6%(1,224,771)
Black3.2%(46,598)
Hispanic / Latino4.6%(66,707)
Asian6.2%(91,368)
Other0%
Diversity Score32.3%(473,579)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic66.5%(1,085,919)
Black5%(80,996)
Hispanic / Latino8.8%(143,245)
Asian12.8%(209,632)
Other3.7%(59,626)
Diversity Score62.2%(1,014,669)
Segregation Score30.8%(503,219)
Diversity Score
62
+92%since 2000
from 32 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
31
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
57.1%
+13.5 ptssince 2000
from 43.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.7%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 88.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
28.9%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 20.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.1 min
+64%since 2000
from 19.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
64.1%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 70.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.2%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.1%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 70.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
58.2%
−15.3 ptssince 2009
from 73.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
51.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
21.3%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.6%
−93.7 ptssince 2013
from 96.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Middlesex County

Alameda County
Pop 1,636,630
Suffolk County
Pop 1,546,090
Collin County
Pop 1,297,179
Contra Costa County
Pop 1,170,070
Places similar to Middlesex County
Head to head

Compare Middlesex County to nearby counties

MIDDLESEX COUNTY VS
Suffolk County
Income$95,631−10%
Home value$705,800+31%
Population791,891−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MIDDLESEX COUNTY VS
Norfolk County
Income$130,739+23%
Home value$683,900+27%
Population739,749−56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MIDDLESEX COUNTY VS
Essex County
Income$101,883−4%
Home value$619,100+15%
Population826,653−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MIDDLESEX COUNTY VS
Worcester County
Income$95,939−10%
Home value$423,700−22%
Population888,502−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Middlesex County, Massachusetts?

Middlesex County, Massachusetts has about 1,632,002 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Middlesex County, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Middlesex County, Massachusetts earns about $106,202 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Middlesex County, Massachusetts expensive?

In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $540,300, and the typical rent is about $1,714 a month.

How educated are people in Middlesex County, Massachusetts?

About 57.1% of adults age 25 and over in Middlesex County, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Middlesex County, Massachusetts?

About 7.2% of people in Middlesex County, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Middlesex County, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Middlesex County, Massachusetts has grown since 1990. The population has added about 233,534 residents, a change of about 17 percent over that period.

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

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