RANKING · 1990 CENSUS · 14 SHOWN OF 14

Most residents in poverty, Massachusetts counties · 1990

Massachusetts counties with the most residents living below the poverty line, as of the 1990 American Community Survey. Ranked by number of people, not the poverty rate. This list covers the 14 counties in Massachusetts that qualify, ranked against each other statewide. The median across all 14 is 28,583.

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SAME RANKING BYCities States Metros

RELATEDHighest median household income Lowest median household income Highest per-capita income Lowest poverty rate Highest poverty rate Most six-figure households

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2024

RANKPLACESTATEPOPRESIDENTS IN POVERTYVS –

01Suffolk County, MAMA791,891120,161–

02Middlesex County, MAMA1,669,97986,070–

03Essex County, MAMA826,65361,984–

04Hampden County, MAMA464,33859,178–

05Worcester County, MAMA888,50258,801–

06Bristol County, MAMA593,64046,195–

07Plymouth County, MAMA546,82928,583–

08Norfolk County, MAMA739,74927,897–

09Hampshire County, MAMA164,06515,740–

10Barnstable County, MAMA233,53914,079–

11Berkshire County, MAMA128,22412,075–

12Franklin County, MAMA70,6986,743–

13Dukes County, MAMA21,219782–

14Nantucket County, MAMA14,758344–

SHOWING 1–14 OF 14

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UPDATED 2026-09-11 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU DECENNIAL CENSUS