City · Massachusetts
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence, city, in Essex County, Massachusetts. Lawrence had 89,320 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 89,143 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 88,736 (±36). GEOID 2534550.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
89,320
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 89,143 · ACS 2020-2024: 88,736 ±36
Median household income
$60,433
±$2,529 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$415,200
±$23,415 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,662
±$50 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Lawrence and what county is it in?
Lawrence is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts. It covers 6.9 square miles of land, 12,863 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lawrence 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 Lawrence, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 89,320 people lived in Lawrence on July 1, 2025, up 0.2% since 2020, slower than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 89,143 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 88,736 (±36).
| Measure | Lawrence | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 88,736 ±36 | 813,054 | +8,794 |
| Households | 31,142 ±786 | 313,147 | +5,183 |
| Average household size | 2.82 ±0.07 | 2.54 | −0.21 |
| Housing units | 31,845 ±759 | 329,776 | +4,164 |
Lawrence's population since 2000
From 72,043 in 2000 to 89,320 in 2025: up 24.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lawrence 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 Lawrence?
The median resident of Lawrence is 32.6 years old; 26.3% are under 18 and 10.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 83.2%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 11.6%. 44.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lawrence | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.6 ±0.9 | 41.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.3% ±0.9 pts | 20.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.5% ±0.8 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Male | 49.1% ±1.1 pts | 48.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 83.2% ±1.6 pts | 24.1% | +2.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 11.6% ±1.3 pts | 64.5% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.0% ±0.7 pts | 3.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±0.6 pts | 3.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±0.5 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 44.6% ±2.1 pts | 19.1% | +4.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 78.1% ±1.9 pts | 28.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 1.7% ±0.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 14.7% ±1.2 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.5% ±0.8 pts | 2.8% | −1.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 72.5% ±1.8 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.8% ±1.7 pts | 43.0% | +6.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.1% ±1.0 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.9% ±1.6 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8% ±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
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 Lawrence earn?
Half of Lawrence's 31,142 households earn less than $60,433 a year (±$2,529), against $101,883 in Essex County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 the median was $54,905 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,528 after inflation. 17.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lawrence | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,433 ±$2,529 | $101,883 | +$5,528 |
| Mean household income | $79,319 ±$4,102 | $140,098 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,249 ±$1,315 | $54,665 | +$2,579 |
| People below the poverty line | 17.6% ±1.9 pts | 9.4% | −3.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.1% ±4.4 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 44.8% ±2.6 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.6% ±1.5 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.9% ±2.0 pts | 92.4% | – |
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 Lawrence?
Owners occupy 28.1% of Lawrence's occupied homes and renters 71.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $415,200 by its owner (±$23,415). The median renter pays $1,662 a month including utilities, and 49.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lawrence | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $415,200 ±$23,415 | $619,100 | +$81,559 |
| Median gross rent | $1,662 ±$50 | $1,756 | +$253 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 49.9% ±3.0 pts | 46.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,207 ±$159 | $2,867 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 28.1% ±2.5 pts | 63.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 71.9% ±2.5 pts | 36.5% | – |
| Housing units | 31,845 ±759 | 329,776 | +4,164 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.4% ±0.6 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 19.1% ±2.2 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.3% ±1.1 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 44.4% ±2.8 pts | 34.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 20.3% ±2.1 pts | 9.3% | – |
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 Lawrence building?
Builders took permits for 10 new housing units in Lawrence in 2025 (10 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 Lawrence work and get to work?
66.3% of Lawrence's workers drive alone and 6.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.5%.
| Measure | Lawrence | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.7% ±1.5 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.5% ±1.5 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 66.3% ±2.6 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.6% ±2.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.6% ±1.0 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.6% ±0.7 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.8% ±1.1 pts | 16.4% | +4.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.0 min ±0.9 | 28.5 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 Lawrence?
18 census tracts lie mostly in Lawrence (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $20,545 (Tract 2511) to $81,449 (Tract 2502).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2508Essex County | 8,554 | $68,807 |
| Tract 2518Essex County | 7,983 | $79,541 |
| Tract 2515Essex County | 6,913 | $55,625 |
| Tract 2516Essex County | 6,847 | $66,636 |
| Tract 2502Essex County | 6,225 | $81,449 |
| Tract 2506Essex County | 6,142 | $56,836 |
| Tract 2517Essex County | 5,702 | $79,167 |
| Tract 2514Essex County | 5,483 | $62,455 |
| Tract 2507Essex County | 5,425 | $58,433 |
| Tract 2501Essex County | 5,295 | $44,310 |
| Tract 2505Essex County | 4,464 | $61,339 |
| Tract 2504Essex County | 4,392 | $51,961 |
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 Lawrence) · Census block assignment files
How does Lawrence compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lawrence is the 402nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 12th-most populous of 58 in Massachusetts.
Lawrence ranks 434th 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 | 12th | 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 216th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 7th | 461 |
| Median household income | 434th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 455th | 460 |
| Median home value | 337th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 188th | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 18th | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 452nd | 459 |
| Median age | 453rd | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 459th | 460 |
| Work from home | 417th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 394th | 459 |
Lawrence's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Lawrence 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 Lawrence?
5 of the 57 figures for Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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' public schools in Lawrence.