City · Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, city, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Lowell had 119,971 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 115,554 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 118,368 (±49). GEOID 2537000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
119,971
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 115,554 · ACS 2020-2024: 118,368 ±49
Median household income
$78,658
±$3,823 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$429,200
±$10,507 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,625
±$40 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Lowell and what county is it in?
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It covers 13.6 square miles of land, 8,490 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lowell 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 Lowell, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 119,971 people lived in Lowell on July 1, 2025, up 3.8% since 2020, faster than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 115,554 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 118,368 (±49).
| Measure | Lowell | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 118,368 ±49 | 1,638,365 | +7,062 |
| Households | 43,183 ±905 | 634,215 | +3,762 |
| Average household size | 2.61 ±0.06 | 2.49 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 44,850 ±939 | 664,267 | +3,064 |
Lowell's population since 2000
From 105,167 in 2000 to 119,971 in 2025: up 14.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lowell 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 Lowell?
The median resident of Lowell is 35.6 years old; 21.7% are under 18 and 12.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 42.3%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 22.0%. 30.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lowell | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.6 ±0.8 | 38.9 | +2.1 |
| Under 18 years | 21.7% ±1.1 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.6% ±0.8 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Male | 49.6% ±1.0 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 20.0% ±1.3 pts | 9.3% | +1.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 42.3% ±1.6 pts | 65.1% | −6.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.9% ±1.4 pts | 4.7% | +2.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 22.0% ±1.7 pts | 13.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.4% ±0.8 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 30.5% ±1.4 pts | 23.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 43.3% ±1.7 pts | 29.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.2% ±0.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.2% ±0.9 pts | 9.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.1% ±0.7 pts | 2.4% | −1.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.9% ±1.1 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.0% ±1.7 pts | 59.5% | +5.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.4% ±1.1 pts | 30.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.5% ±1.3 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8% ±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 Lowell earn?
Half of Lowell's 43,183 households earn less than $78,658 a year (±$3,823), against $130,847 in Middlesex County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 the median was $69,999 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $8,659 after inflation. 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lowell | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,658 ±$3,823 | $130,847 | +$8,659 |
| Mean household income | $98,552 ±$3,249 | $178,070 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,400 ±$1,287 | $69,556 | +$3,372 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.9% ±1.7 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.8% ±4.2 pts | 7.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 27.0% ±2.1 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.9% ±1.2 pts | 97.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.4% ±1.5 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 Lowell?
Owners occupy 43.2% of Lowell's occupied homes and renters 56.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $429,200 by its owner (±$10,507). The median renter pays $1,625 a month including utilities, and 41.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lowell | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $429,200 ±$10,507 | $727,800 | +$97,159 |
| Median gross rent | $1,625 ±$40 | $2,201 | +$200 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.9% ±3.2 pts | 37.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,334 ±$58 | $3,224 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 43.2% ±2.1 pts | 61.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 56.8% ±2.1 pts | 38.7% | – |
| Housing units | 44,850 ±939 | 664,267 | +3,064 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.4% ±0.9 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 30.2% ±1.8 pts | 46.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.1% ±0.8 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 43.9% ±2.0 pts | 32.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 13.7% ±1.4 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 Lowell building?
Builders took permits for 188 new housing units in Lowell in 2025 (36 in single-family houses), 1.6 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 Lowell work and get to work?
71.0% of Lowell's workers drive alone and 10.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.7%.
| Measure | Lowell | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.6% ±1.4 pts | 69.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7% ±1.1 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.0% ±2.0 pts | 54.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.9% ±1.2 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.6% ±0.4 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Walked | 4.1% ±0.7 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.6% ±1.3 pts | 24.7% | +6.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.9 min ±0.8 | 29.9 min | +1.7 min |
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 Lowell?
26 census tracts lie mostly in Lowell (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $23,500 (Tract 3883) to $120,192 (Tract 3123).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3102Middlesex County | 7,273 | $91,192 |
| Tract 3103Middlesex County | 6,737 | $69,297 |
| Tract 3116Middlesex County | 6,736 | $118,625 |
| Tract 3106.02Middlesex County | 6,537 | $101,842 |
| Tract 3106.01Middlesex County | 6,322 | $78,667 |
| Tract 3883Middlesex County | 6,259 | $23,500 |
| Tract 3114Middlesex County | 6,245 | $94,174 |
| Tract 3123Middlesex County | 5,300 | $120,192 |
| Tract 3125.01Middlesex County | 5,204 | $111,850 |
| Tract 3122Middlesex County | 5,073 | $84,853 |
| Tract 3117Middlesex County | 5,051 | $96,250 |
| Tract 3113Middlesex County | 4,875 | $71,450 |
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 Lowell) · Census block assignment files
How does Lowell compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lowell is the 255th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 5th-most populous of 58 in Massachusetts.
Lowell ranks 381st 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 | 5th | 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 46th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 13th | 461 |
| Median household income | 381st | 453 |
| Per capita income | 435th | 460 |
| Median home value | 320th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 196th | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 21st | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 388th | 459 |
| Median age | 441st | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 445th | 460 |
| Work from home | 365th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 287th | 459 |
Lowell's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Lowell 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 Lowell?
4 of the 57 figures for Lowell 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 Lowell 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 Lowell.