City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Lawrence, MA

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

88,297
Residents
$57,903
Median income
$393,500
Median home
$2,941
Median rent (state)

Lawrence - the verdict

Nationally, Lawrence sits in the 32nd percentile for household income and the 48th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

32nd
percentile, household income
77th
percentile, home value
97th
percentile, median rent
48th
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: Lawrence, MA

88,297 people live in Lawrence, Massachusetts - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $57,903 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.1%. Home values in Lawrence run a median of $393,500, and the median resident age is 32.6 years. 16.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 62.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 11 residential building permits were authorized in Lawrence (Construction Slowdown), down 48% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Lawrence reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1438.6 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Lawrence's yearly average temperature at 50.9°F with 49.3 inches of precipitation per year.

Massachusetts carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Massachusetts at 105.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,941 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Massachusetts's average monthly utility costs around $330 (state average). Commute times here average 21.9 minutes, with 67.2% driving alone and 5.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 95.6 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

88,297 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$57,903 /yr

Poverty 15.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Lawrence compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 32% higher than other cities
Home value 77% pricier than other cities
Median rent 97% pricier than other cities
Safety 48% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Massachusetts, Lawrence ranks #112 of 149 Massachusetts cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Massachusetts-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Lawrence near the bottom of Massachusetts's cities

Among the 247 Massachusetts cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Lawrence ranks #238 - the 4th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Lawrence only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#214 of 233
8th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Gross Rent
#4 of 247
68th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Home Value
#175 of 240
27th percentile in Massachusetts
Poverty Rate
#16 of 247
94th percentile in Massachusetts
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#238 of 247
4th 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.

32ndIncome percentile
48thSafety percentile

32nd percentile nationally for median household income · 48th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lawrence's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lawrence'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 31 Avg. percentile National median
Lawrence'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 Lawrence's home value compares nationally

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

$393,500 23rd percentile more affordable than 23% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $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. Lawrence $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 - Lawrence, MA Lawrence, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lawrence, 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 Lawrence, MA median $57,903/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%
Lawrence, 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 Lawrence, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.9%

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

Population
88,297
Median Income
$57,903
Median Home Value
$393,500
Median Age
32.6
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Labor force participation
62.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1438.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
439.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
998.9
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
50.9°F
Annual Precipitation
49.3"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
29
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
88,000 residents88,500 residents89,000 residents89,500 residents90,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 88,903 residents 89,320 residents ▲ +0.5%
Lawrence's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
11
housing units authorized
Single-Family
11
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 21
2020 16
2021 19
2022 14
2023 15
2024 11

Permit volume decreased 48% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.9 minutes
Drive Alone
67.2%
Carpool
13.6%
Public Transit
3.6%
Walk
3.0%
Work from Home
5.7%
Other
6.9%

Based on 41,229 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 Lawrence 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
95.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Newton
88,504 people
Fall River
93,764 people
Somerville
80,549 people
New Bedford
100,731 people
Lynn
100,905 people
Quincy
101,361 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lawrence's 88,297 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Santa Fe, NM
88,224 people
San Leandro, CA
88,531 people
Greenville, NC
88,540 people
Santa Barbara, CA
88,024 people
Champaign, IL
88,822 people
Bloomington, MN
88,838 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lawrence's $57,903 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Dupo, IL
$57,899 median income
Union Star, MO
$57,907 median income
Tyonek, AK
$57,917 median income
Paxton, FL
$57,917 median income
Crescent City, IL
$57,917 median income
Greentown, IN
$57,917 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lawrence, 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 Lawrence, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 22.5% 52.4% 18.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 82.3% White 22.5% Black or African American 4.6% Asian 1.9% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 52.4% Two or more races 18.3% 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 Lawrence 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
Lawrence (this city) 88,297 $57,903
Newton 88,504 $184,989
Fall River 93,764 $53,933
Somerville 80,549 $127,056
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lawrence, MA?

What is the population of Lawrence, MA? +

Lawrence, MA has a population of 88,297 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Lawrence runs $57,903, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lawrence? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Lawrence; 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 Lawrence, MA safe? +

Lawrence has a total crime rate of 1438.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Lawrence, MA? +

Homes in Lawrence carry a median value of $393,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Lawrence? +

Lawrence has an average annual temperature of 50.9°F, 49.3 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.