Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metro Area

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH · Metro Area

4,953,354Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 7 counties (6 central, 1 outlying), part of the Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $115,863
Median home value: $646,300
Land area: 3,486 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Middlesex County, MA	Central	1,638,365	$130,847	$727,800
Essex County, MA	Central	813,054	$101,883	$619,100
Suffolk County, MA	Central	785,121	$95,631	$705,800
Norfolk County, MA	Central	730,082	$130,739	$683,900
Plymouth County, MA	Central	535,075	$114,201	$556,000
Rockingham County, NH	Central	319,082	$118,331	$497,500
Strafford County, NH	Outlying	132,575	$88,570	$362,800

Largest cities and towns

292 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Boston, MA	City	666,442	$97,344
Cambridge, MA	City	118,796	$130,748
Lowell, MA	City	118,368	$78,658
Brockton, MA	City	105,386	$80,115
Quincy, MA	City	102,114	$98,882
Lynn, MA	City	101,709	$75,043
Newton, MA	City	89,044	$190,304
Lawrence, MA	City	88,736	$60,433
Somerville, MA	City	81,036	$132,572
Framingham, MA	Town	72,399	$107,419
Framingham (CDP), MA	CDP	72,399	$107,419
Haverhill, MA	City	67,698	$88,326
Malden, MA	City	65,906	$100,606
Waltham, MA	City	64,902	$120,216
Plymouth, MA	Town	63,953	$116,941
Brookline (CDP), MA	CDP	63,266	$142,101
Brookline, MA	Town	63,266	$142,101
Revere, MA	City	60,012	$86,969
Medford, MA	City	59,354	$129,540
Weymouth Town, MA	City	58,505	$102,714
Peabody, MA	City	54,695	$96,657
Everett, MA	City	50,045	$85,218
Methuen Town, MA	City	49,917	$93,681
Arlington (CDP), MA	CDP	46,350	$150,701
Arlington, MA	Town	46,350	$150,701

Also in the Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH combined area

Providence-Warwick, RI-MA · metro · 1,684,071 Worcester, MA · metro · 867,788 Manchester-Nashua, NH · metro · 426,378 Barnstable Town, MA · metro · 231,668 Concord, NH · micro · 155,967 Laconia, NH · micro · 64,659

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Unemployment

4.9%

College Educated

51.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$115,863

Mean Household Income

$159,716

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.9%

Female

51.1%

Population Split

Male48.9%

Female51.1%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

Irish19.8%

Italian11.8%

English10.1%

German5.7%

French3.8%

Polish3.0%

Scottish2.1%

African2.1%

Mexican0.8%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

20.0%Foreign Born

80.0%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized53.5%

Non-Citizen46.5%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later39.9%

Before 201060.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

2,059,059

Median Rent

$2,023/mo

Median Home Value

$646,300

Median Year Built

1964

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

1,188,429

College Enrollment

23.8%

High School

20.1%

College Educated

51.9%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

30.3 min

Drive Alone Rate

57.1%

Public Transit

8.3%

Work From Home

20.9%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

19.3%

18-34 Years

24.8%

35-64 Years

38.9%

65+ Years

17.0%

Population Composition

Under 1819.3%

18-3424.8%

35-6438.9%

65+17.0%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

47.0%

Single Parent

5.1%

Living Alone

28.1%

Avg Size

2.47

Household Types

Married Couples47.0%

Single Parent5.1%

Living Alone28.1%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$63,282

SNAP Usage

12.1%

Health Insurance

97.3%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k11.9%

$25k - $50k10.9%

$50k - $100k21.1%

$100k+56.2%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

8.9%

Retail Trade

9.1%

Education & Health Care

27.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

11.1%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

97.3%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

93.6%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.3%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

108.3

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

90.8

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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