City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Chelsea, MA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Chelsea - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

39,460
Residents
$72,220
Median income
$476,500
Median home
$2,941
Median rent (state)

Chelsea - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Chelsea lands in the 53rd percentile for household income and the 24th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

53rd
percentile, household income
83rd
percentile, home value
97th
percentile, median rent
24th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Chelsea, MA

Chelsea is a small city in Massachusetts, home to 39,460 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Chelsea brings in $72,220 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 16.3%. Typical homes in Chelsea are valued around $476,500, and the median resident age is 34.5 years. 22.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 61.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 70 residential building permits were authorized in Chelsea (Rapid Growth), up 46% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2414.7 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Massachusetts carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 105.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,941 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Massachusetts's average monthly utility costs around $330 (state average). Commute times here average 30.3 minutes, with 46.4% driving alone and 9.6% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 93.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

39,460 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$72,220 /yr

Poverty 16.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Chelsea compare to other US cities?

Where Chelsea sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 53% higher than other cities
Home value 83% pricier than other cities
Median rent 97% pricier than other cities
Safety 24% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Massachusetts and the picture shifts: Chelsea ranks #141 of 149 Massachusetts cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Chelsea against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Massachusetts only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Massachusetts-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is Chelsea's strongest outlier among Massachusetts cities

Among the 247 Massachusetts cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Chelsea ranks #13 - the 95th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Chelsea only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#185 of 233
21st percentile in Massachusetts
Median Gross Rent
#4 of 247
68th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Home Value
#127 of 240
47th percentile in Massachusetts
Poverty Rate
#13 of 247
95th percentile in Massachusetts
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#226 of 247
9th percentile in Massachusetts

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Massachusetts only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

53rdIncome percentile
24thSafety percentile

53rd percentile nationally for median household income · 24th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chelsea's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chelsea's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 29 Avg. percentile National median
Chelsea's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Chelsea's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$476,500 17th percentile more affordable than 17% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Chelsea $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Chelsea, MA Chelsea, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chelsea, MA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Chelsea, MA median $72,220/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Chelsea, MA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Chelsea, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
39,460
Median Income
$72,220
Median Home Value
$476,500
Median Age
34.5
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Labor force participation
61.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2414.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
978.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1435.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
12
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
39,000 residents39,500 residents40,000 residents40,500 residents41,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 40,543 residents 40,130 residents ▼ -1.0%
Chelsea's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
70
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
70
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 48
2020 54
2021 77
2022 63
2023 59
2024 70

Permit volume increased 46% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
30.3 minutes
Drive Alone
46.4%
Carpool
15.2%
Public Transit
20.3%
Walk
5.7%
Work from Home
9.6%
Other
2.8%

Based on 18,232 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Massachusetts - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$160
avg/month
Natural Gas
$110
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$60
avg/month
Total Utilities
$330
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Massachusetts state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Massachusetts state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Chelsea sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.8
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,941/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Braintree
38,762 people
Westfield
40,673 people
Holyoke
37,949 people
Woburn
41,205 people
Marlborough
41,398 people
Fitchburg
41,633 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chelsea's 39,460 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Rosenberg, TX
39,467 people
Issaquah, WA
39,472 people
Lakewood Ranch, FL
39,434 people
Dover, DE
39,491 people
Carol Stream, IL
39,427 people
Severna Park, MD
39,499 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chelsea's $72,220 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sappington, MO
$72,213 median income
Oelrichs, SD
$72,212 median income
Harrisville, PA
$72,232 median income
Charleston, TN
$72,208 median income
Romulus, MI
$72,235 median income
Bellevue, ID
$72,242 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chelsea, MA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Chelsea, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 26.9% 7.0% 11.7% 50.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 65.0% White 26.9% Black or African American 7.0% Asian 2.9% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 11.7% Two or more races 50.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Chelsea compares to nearby Massachusetts cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Chelsea (this city) 39,460 $72,220
Braintree 38,762 $125,305
Westfield 40,673 $82,847
Holyoke 37,949 $51,892
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chelsea, MA?

What is the population of Chelsea, MA? +

39,460 people live in Chelsea, MA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Chelsea, MA? +

In Chelsea, the typical household earns $72,220 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chelsea? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chelsea; the closest available measure is the Massachusetts state average, a cost of living index of 105.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Massachusetts vary by metro area.

Is Chelsea, MA safe? +

Chelsea has a total crime rate of 2414.7 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Chelsea, MA? +

The median home value in Chelsea is $476,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.