Lowell, MA

Census Place

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2021 Population

114,804

3.14% 1-year growth

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

34.4

1.78% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

17.5%

1.29% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$64,489

3.69% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$312,600

9.61% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

58,781

2.82% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Lowell, MA had a population of 115k people with a median age of 34.4 and a median household income of $64,489. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Lowell, MA grew from 111,311 to 114,804, a 3.14% increase and its median household income grew from $62,196 to $64,489, a 3.69% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Lowell, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (48.3%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (22.2%), White (Hispanic) (9.93%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (8.16%), and Other (Hispanic) (3.72%).

None of the households in Lowell, MA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

86.9% of the residents in Lowell, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Lowell, MA are University of Massachusetts-Lowell (4,933 degrees awarded in 2021) and Lowell Academy Hairstyling Institute (166498) (25 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Lowell, MA was $312,600, and the homeownership rate was 43.2%.

Most people in Lowell, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Lowell, MA was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

United States Massachusetts Middlesex County, MA Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Lowell City PUMA, MA

Population & Diversity

Lowell, MA is home to a population of 115k people, from which 86.9% are citizens. As of 2021, 28.2% of Lowell, MA residents were born outside of the country (32.4k people).

In 2021, there were 2.18 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (55.4k people) in Lowell, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 25.5k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 11.4k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

86.9%

2021 Citizenship

87.1%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 86.9% of Lowell, MA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Lowell, MA was 87.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Lowell, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Lowell, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
55.4k ± 2.21k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
25.5k ± 1.77k
White (Hispanic)
11.4k ± 1.46k

17.6%

Hispanic Population

20.2k people

17.6% of the people in Lowell, MA are hispanic (20.2k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Lowell, MA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.

Most Common Origin

China
102,889 ± 7,817 people
Dominican Republic
98,796 ± 7,662 people
Brazil
87,929 ± 7,234 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 102,889 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 98,796 and Brazil with 87,929.

Foreign-Born Population

28.2%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

32.4k people

27.1%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

30.2k people

As of 2021, 28.2% of Lowell, MA residents (32.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Lowell, MA was 27.1%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Lowell, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,034 ± 219
Gulf War (2001-)
650 ± 199
Gulf War (1990s)
292 ± 113

Lowell, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.59 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Lowell, MA employs 58.8k people. The largest industries in Lowell, MA are Manufacturing (9,873 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (9,584 people), and Retail Trade (6,048 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($75,000), Public Administration ($72,625), and Information ($70,247).

Males in Massachusetts have an average income that is 1.31 times higher than the average income of females, which is $74,737. The income inequality in Massachusetts (measured using the Gini index) is 0.48, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

58.8k

2021 Value

± 2,142

2.82%

1 Year growth

± 4.97%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Lowell, MA grew at a rate of 2.82%, from 57.2k employees to 58.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Lowell, MA, are Production Occupations (6,534 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,724 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (4,729 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Lowell, MA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Massachusetts (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

58.8k

2021 Value

± 2,142

2.82%

1 Year growth

± 4.97%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Lowell, MA grew at a rate of 2.82%, from 57.2k employees to 58.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Lowell, MA, are Manufacturing (9,873 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (9,584 people), and Retail Trade (6,048 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Lowell, MA, though some of these residents may live in Lowell, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$44,243

Median earning men ± $1,801

$35,499

Median earning women ± $1,840

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($118,846), Public Administration ($81,569), and Wholesale Trade ($63,559).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Information ($77,729), Public Administration ($63,111), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($50,000).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Massachusetts. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Massachusetts.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $37.1B, followed by Mixed freight ($29.7B) and Electronics ($28.8B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Massachusetts products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts.

$296B

2020 Value in Massachusetts

$627B

Projected 2050 Value in Massachusetts

112% growth

In 2020, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $296B. This is expected to increase 112% to $627B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Massachusetts trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Most Common Trade Partners

New York
$28.8B
New Hampshire
$20.3B
Connecticut
$14.2B

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $28.8B, followed by New Hampshire with $20.3B and Connecticut and $14.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Massachusetts shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 65.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.29%).

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing the state of Massachusetts. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Lowell, MA. Showing the available data for Massachusetts.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (65.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (31.9%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.29%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 65.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.29%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Massachusetts for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Massachusetts

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Elizabeth Warren

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ed Markey

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on July 16, 2013
Elected to the seat to succeed Mo Cowan, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of John Kerry, who had become Secretary of State.

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing Massachusetts.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Massachusetts over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Massachusetts

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Massachusetts have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Lowell, MA awarded 4,958 degrees. The student population of Lowell, MA in 2021 is skewed towards men, with 10,084 male students and 7,579 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Lowell, MA are White (2,913 and 63.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (514 and 11.2%), Asian (495 and 10.7%), and Black or African American (293 and 6.36%).

The largest universities in Lowell, MA by number of degrees awarded are University of Massachusetts-Lowell (4,933 and 99.5%) and Lowell Academy Hairstyling Institute (166498) (25 and 0.504%).

The most popular majors in Lowell, MA are General Business Administration & Management (981 and 19.8%), Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration (348 and 7.02%), and Mechanical Engineering (286 and 5.77%).

The median tuition cost in Lowell, MA for a public four year colleges is $15,078 for in-state students and $33,004 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Lowell, MA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 84.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 18.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 17,663 (57.1% men and 42.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 17,663 students enrolled in Lowell, MA, 57.1% men and 42.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 9,525 records, of which 41.4% were women and 58.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
230 degree-majors awarded
Mechanical Engineering
214 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
623 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Lowell, MA was General Psychology with 230 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Lowell, MA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Massachusetts-Lowell
4,933 degrees awarded
Lowell Academy Hairstyling Institute (166498)
25 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Massachusetts-Lowell with 4,933 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 2,870 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Lowell, MA, which is 1.37 times more than the 2,088 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,913 degrees mean that there were 5.67 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 514 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($15,078) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($620) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Measure

In 2021, 1.06% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.14% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.35M), Bachelors Degree (1.33M), and Some college (1.01M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Lowell, MA was $312,600 in 2021, which is 1.28 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $285,200 to $312,600, a 9.61% increase. The homeownership rate in Lowell, MA is 43.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Lowell, MA have an average commute time of 26.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Lowell, MA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Lowell, MA is $64,489. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Lowell, MA was Census Tract 3125.02 with a value of $106,685, followed by Census Tract 3125.01 and Census Tract 3115, with respective values of $97,517 and $92,143.

Housing

Property

$312,600

Median Property Value 2021

±$9,503

$18,288

Median Property Taxes

±$1,028

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Lowell, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Lowell, MA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

43.2%

Homeownership

2021

63.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 43.2% of the housing units in Lowell, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 43.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Lowell, MA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 3125.02
Census Tract 3125.01
Census Tract 3115

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Lowell, MA was Census Tract 3125.02 with a value of $106,685, followed by Census Tract 3125.01 and Census Tract 3115, with respective values of $97,517 and $92,143.

The following map shows all of the places in Lowell, MA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$64,489

Median Household Income

± $2,857

42.3k

Number of Households

± 1,770

In 2021, the median household income of the 42.3k households in Lowell, MA grew to $64,489 from the previous year's value of $62,196.

The following chart displays the households in Lowell, MA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Lowell, MA is from Massachusetts.

0.48

2021 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.48

2020 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2021, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.48 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0427% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Massachusetts in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Massachusetts across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (74.1%)
Carpooled (9.84%)
Worked At Home (6.86%)

In 2021, 74.1% of workers in Lowell, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.84%) and those who worked at home (6.86%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

26.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Lowell, MA have a shorter commute time (26.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.35% of the workforce in Lowell, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Lowell, MA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Lowell, MA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Lowell, MA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

17.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Lowell, MA (19.3k out of 110k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Lowell, MA is White, followed by Hispanic and Asian.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

95.3% of the population of Lowell, MA has health coverage, with 42.6% on employee plans, 34% on Medicaid, 6.32% on Medicare, 11.8% on non-group plans, and 0.67% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Middlesex County, MA see 782 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.39% decrease from the previous year (793 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 976 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 157 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Middlesex County, MA.

782 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Middlesex County, MA

Primary care physicians in Middlesex County, MA see an average of 782 patients per year. This represents a 1.39% decrease from the previous year (793 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Middlesex County, MA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.1% under 18 years, 28.2% between 18 and 34 years, 37.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 10.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.4% were men and 50.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

4.66%

Uninsured

42.6%

Employer Coverage

34%

Medicaid

6.32%

Medicare

11.8%

Non-Group

0.67%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Lowell, MA declined by 1.9% from 4.75% to 4.66%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Lowell, MA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.