Middlesex County, MA

County

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2021 Population

1.62M

1.09% 1-year growth

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

38.5

0% 1-year change

2021 Poverty Rate

7.43%

2.54% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$111,790

5.26% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$575,500

6.51% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

895,806

0.79% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Middlesex County, MA had a population of 1.62M people with a median age of 38.5 and a median household income of $111,790. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Middlesex County, MA grew from 1.61M to 1.62M, a 1.09% increase and its median household income grew from $106,202 to $111,790, a 5.26% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Middlesex County, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (69.4%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (12.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.89%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.66%), and White (Hispanic) (3.52%).

None of the households in Middlesex County, 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.

89.1% of the residents in Middlesex County, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Middlesex County, MA are Harvard University (9,623 degrees awarded in 2021), Boston College (5,001 degrees), and University of Massachusetts-Lowell (4,933 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Middlesex County, MA was $575,500, and the homeownership rate was 61.7%.

Most people in Middlesex County, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 30.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Middlesex County, MA was 2 cars per household.

Middlesex County, MA borders Essex County, MA, Norfolk County, MA, Suffolk County, MA, Worcester County, MA, and Hillsborough County, NH.

About the photo: Evening traffic on I-93, north of Boston

Photo by Robbie Shade

United States Massachusetts Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Population & Diversity

Middlesex County, MA is home to a population of 1.62M people, from which 89.1% are citizens. As of 2021, 22% of Middlesex County, MA residents were born outside of the country (357k people).

In 2021, there were 5.47 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (1.13M people) in Middlesex County, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 206k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 79.4k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

89.1%

2021 Citizenship

89.4%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 89.1% of Middlesex County, MA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Middlesex County, MA was 89.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Middlesex County, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
1.13M ± 2.32k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
206k ± 1.56k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
79.4k ± 1.48k

8.28%

Hispanic Population

134k people

8.28% of the people in Middlesex County, MA are hispanic (134k people).

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

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County 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

22%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

357k people

21.4%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

343k people

As of 2021, 22% of Middlesex County, MA residents (357k 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 Middlesex County, MA was 21.4%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
17,056 ± 964
Gulf War (2001-)
8,514 ± 800
Korea
6,041 ± 565

Middlesex County, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Middlesex County, MA employs 896k people. The largest industries in Middlesex County, MA are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (146,137 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (128,276 people), and Educational Services (121,334 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($120,811), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($102,887), and Finance & Insurance ($97,227).

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

896k

2021 Value

± 7,555

0.79%

1 Year growth

± 1.19%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Middlesex County, MA grew at a rate of 0.79%, from 889k employees to 896k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Middlesex County, MA, are Management Occupations (124,964 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (77,055 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (76,766 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Middlesex County, 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

896k

2021 Value

± 7,555

0.79%

1 Year growth

± 1.19%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Middlesex County, MA grew at a rate of 0.79%, from 889k employees to 896k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Middlesex County, MA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (146,137 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (128,276 people), and Educational Services (121,334 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Middlesex County, MA, though some of these residents may live in Middlesex County, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$73,616

Median earning men ± $939

$52,990

Median earning women ± $596

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($106,560), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($103,168), and Information ($101,918).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Manufacturing ($77,249), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($75,868), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($74,513).

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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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

19,192
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
13,280
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
8,423
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$45.5M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$27.1M
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
$21.3M
Manufacturing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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 Middlesex County, MA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 71% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (26.1%), followed by Other (1.67%).

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

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (71%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (26.1%)
Republican Party
Other (1.67%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Middlesex County, MA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 71% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (26.1%), followed by Other (1.67%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Middlesex County, MA 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 Middlesex County, MA awarded 40,074 degrees. The student population of Middlesex County, MA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 58,104 male students and 68,851 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Middlesex County, MA are White (18,624 and 56.6%), followed by Asian (4,448 and 13.5%), Hispanic or Latino (3,826 and 11.6%), and Unknown (2,434 and 7.39%).

The largest universities in Middlesex County, MA by number of degrees awarded are Harvard University (9,623 and 24%), Boston College (5,001 and 12.5%), and University of Massachusetts-Lowell (4,933 and 12.3%).

The most popular majors in Middlesex County, MA are General Business Administration & Management (2,978 and 7.43%), Computer Science (1,592 and 3.97%), and Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (1,292 and 3.22%).

The median tuition costs in Middlesex County, MA are $47,700 for private four year colleges, and $8,024 and $20,027 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Middlesex County, MA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 22.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 27.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 126,955 (45.8% men and 54.2% 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 126,955 students enrolled in Middlesex County, MA, 45.8% men and 54.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 55,414 records, of which 53.9% were women and 46.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Computer Science
1,114 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
967 degree-majors awarded
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics
941 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Middlesex County, MA was Computer Science with 1,114 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Harvard University
9,623 degrees awarded
Boston College
5,001 degrees awarded
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
4,933 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Harvard University with 9,623 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 18,196 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Middlesex County, MA, which is 0.832 times less than the 21,878 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 18,624 degrees mean that there were 4.19 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 4,448 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

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($47,700) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($5,515) 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 Middlesex County, MA was $575,500 in 2021, which is 2.35 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $540,300 to $575,500, a 6.51% increase. The homeownership rate in Middlesex County, MA is 61.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Middlesex County, MA have an average commute time of 30.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Middlesex County, MA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Middlesex County, MA is $111,790. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Middlesex County, MA was Census Tract 3384 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 3743 and Census Tract 3736, with respective values of $250,001 and $241,500.

In 2022, 15.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Middlesex County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.07%.

Housing

Property

$575,500

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,871

$385,336

Median Property Taxes

±$3,867

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 Middlesex County, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

61.7%

Homeownership

2021

61.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 61.7% of the housing units in Middlesex County, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 62.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Middlesex County, 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 3384
Census Tract 3743
Census Tract 3736

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Middlesex County, MA was Census Tract 3384 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 3743 and Census Tract 3736, with respective values of $250,001 and $241,500.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Middlesex County, 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.

$111,790

Median Household Income

± $1,032

624k

Number of Households

± 5,909

In 2021, the median household income of the 624k households in Middlesex County, MA grew to $111,790 from the previous year's value of $106,202.

The following chart displays the households in Middlesex County, 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 $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Middlesex County, 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 (60.8%)
Worked At Home (15.6%)
Public Transit (9.79%)

In 2021, 60.8% of workers in Middlesex County, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (15.6%) and those who used public transit to get to work (9.79%).

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

30.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Middlesex County, MA have a longer commute time (30.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.61% of the workforce in Middlesex County, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 15.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Middlesex County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.07%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

7.43% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Middlesex County, MA (117k out of 1.57M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Middlesex County, 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.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 7.3% of the children was living in poverty in Middlesex County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children 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.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 185 in Middlesex County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 92.8 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

97.3% of the population of Middlesex County, MA has health coverage, with 61.3% on employee plans, 12.7% on Medicaid, 10.4% on Medicare, 12.4% on non-group plans, and 0.569% 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.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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 21.5% under 18 years, 23.5% between 18 and 34 years, 40% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

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

Uninsured People

2.66%

Uninsured

61.3%

Employer Coverage

12.7%

Medicaid

10.4%

Medicare

12.4%

Non-Group

0.569%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Middlesex County, MA grew by 2% from 2.61% to 2.66%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 25.3 in Middlesex County, MA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Middlesex County, MA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 22.6% in Middlesex County, MA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Middlesex County, MA.

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