Town · Massachusetts
Ashland, Massachusetts
Ashland, town, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Ashland had 19,177 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 18,832 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 18,873 (±26). GEOID 2501702130.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,177
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,832 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,873 ±26
Median household income
$127,539
±$10,749 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$611,700
±$18,288 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$2,452
±$298 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Ashland and what county is it in?
Ashland is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It covers 12.3 square miles of land, 1,526 residents per square mile in 2020.
Ashland is in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Ashland, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 19,177 people lived in Ashland on July 1, 2025, up 1.8% since 2020, in line with Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 18,832 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 18,873 (±26).
| Measure | Ashland | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,873±26 | 1,638,365 | +1,163 |
| Households | 7,643±322 | 634,215 | +847 |
| Average household size | 2.44±0.10 | 2.49 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 8,094±441 | 664,267 | +1,026 |
Ashland's population since 2000
From 14,674 in 2000 to 19,177 in 2025: up 30.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Ashland as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Ashland?
The median resident of Ashland is 42.1 years old; 18.4% are under 18 and 18.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 62.7%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 15.6%. 23.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ashland | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.1±1.4 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.4%±1.9 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.2%±1.8 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Male | 48.8%±1.9 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.7%±2.7 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 62.7%±4.7 pts | 65.1% | −15.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.9%±3.6 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 15.6%±3.3 pts | 13.6% | +4.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.0%±2.1 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 2.9%±1.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 23.8%±3.3 pts | 23.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 31.5%±4.7 pts | 29.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.3%±1.7 pts | 3.3% | – |
| With a disability | 10.5%±2.4 pts | 9.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.6%±0.9 pts | 2.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 97.6%±0.9 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 60.7%±4.0 pts | 59.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 29.7%±3.4 pts | 30.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.1%±2.2 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 2.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Ashland earn?
Half of Ashland's 7,643 households earn less than $127,539 a year (±$10,749), against $130,847 in Middlesex County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 the median was $152,766 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $25,227 after inflation. 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ashland | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $127,539±$10,749 | $130,847 | −$25,227 |
| Mean household income | $174,843±$11,684 | $178,070 | – |
| Per capita income | $70,893±$4,944 | $69,556 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 3.5%±1.5 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 1.8%±2.0 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.0%±3.4 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.1%±1.0 pts | 97.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.0%±2.1 pts | 94.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Ashland?
Owners occupy 75.3% of Ashland's occupied homes and renters 24.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $611,700 by its owner (±$18,288). The median renter pays $2,452 a month including utilities, and 43.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ashland | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $611,700±$18,288 | $727,800 | +$117,084 |
| Median gross rent | $2,452±$298 | $2,201 | +$661 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.8%±11.0 pts | 37.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,010±$104 | $3,224 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.3%±4.3 pts | 61.3% | −7.3 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 24.7%±4.3 pts | 38.7% | – |
| Housing units | 8,094±441 | 664,267 | +1,026 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7%±4.1 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 55.6%±4.6 pts | 46.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.4%±2.2 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.5%±4.2 pts | 32.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.3%±2.6 pts | 10.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Ashland building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units in Ashland in 2025 (2 in single-family houses), 0.1 per 1,000 residents against 1.7 across Massachusetts.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Ashland work and get to work?
60.8% of Ashland's workers drive alone and 22.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 36.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Ashland | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.9%±2.6 pts | 69.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±2.0 pts | 4.4% | +3.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 60.8%±4.9 pts | 54.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.9%±2.2 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 5.8%±1.7 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Walked | 2.2%±2.0 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 22.7%±3.4 pts | 24.7% | +19.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 36.8 min±2.3 | 29.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Ashland?
5 census tracts lie mostly in Ashland (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $100,179 (Tract 3852.01) to $183,889 (Tract 3851.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3852.03Middlesex County | 4,742 | $117,865 |
| Tract 3851.02Middlesex County | 4,626 | $142,103 |
| Tract 3852.04Middlesex County | 3,418 | $167,895 |
| Tract 3851.01Middlesex County | 3,181 | $183,889 |
| Tract 3852.01Middlesex County | 2,906 | $100,179 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Ashland) · Census block assignment files
How does Ashland compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Ashland is the 622nd-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 36th-most populous of 266 in Massachusetts.
Ashland ranks 147th of 453 places in Massachusetts with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 36th | 266 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 135th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 122nd | 461 |
| Median household income | 147th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 110th | 460 |
| Median home value | 162nd | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 27th | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 293rd | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 110th | 459 |
| Median age | 333rd | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 288th | 460 |
| Work from home | 129th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 36th | 459 |
Ashland's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Ashland with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Ashland?
10 of the 57 figures for Ashland on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Ashland are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.