Town · Massachusetts
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts
Manchester-by-the-Sea, town, in Essex County, Massachusetts. Manchester-by-the-Sea had 5,475 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,395 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 5,403 (±19). GEOID 2500937995.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,475
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,395 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,403 ±19
Median household income
$206,389
±$43,757 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$942,000
±$43,571 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,811
±$443 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Manchester-by-the-Sea and what county is it in?
Manchester-by-the-Sea is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts. It covers 9.2 square miles of land, 585 residents per square mile in 2020.
Manchester-by-the-Sea is in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Manchester-by-the-Sea is the same area as Census Tract 2181 of Essex County: the tract's figures are Manchester-by-the-Sea's own.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Manchester-by-the-Sea, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,475 people lived in Manchester-by-the-Sea on July 1, 2025, up 1.5% since 2020, in line with Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 5,395 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 5,403 (±19).
| Measure | Manchester-by-the-Sea | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,403±19 | 813,054 | no clear change |
| Households | 2,156±179 | 313,147 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.50±0.21 | 2.54 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,226±198 | 329,776 | no clear change |
Manchester-by-the-Sea's population since 2000
From 5,228 in 2000 to 5,475 in 2025: up 4.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Manchester-by-the-Sea 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 Manchester-by-the-Sea?
The median resident of Manchester-by-the-Sea is 48.9 years old; 21.8% are under 18 and 28.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.7%. 4.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Manchester-by-the-Sea | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.9±4.4 | 41.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.8%±3.4 pts | 20.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 28.7%±4.4 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Male | 50.2%±3.2 pts | 48.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7%±2.8 pts | 24.1% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.6%±6.2 pts | 64.5% | −7.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 3.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±2.8 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 3.2%±4.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.9%±2.7 pts | 19.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.5%±2.6 pts | 28.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.2%±2.9 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 8.4%±3.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.3%±1.4 pts | 2.8% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 97.9%±2.0 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 78.3%±7.0 pts | 43.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 35.0%±7.6 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.6%±6.1 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6%±2.3 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 Manchester-by-the-Sea earn?
Half of Manchester-by-the-Sea's 2,156 households earn less than $206,389 a year (±$43,757), against $101,883 in Essex County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $183,194 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart.
| Measure | Manchester-by-the-Sea | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $206,389±$43,757 | $101,883 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $268,125±$50,802 | $140,098 | – |
| Per capita income | $106,716±$22,042 | $54,665 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 2.1%±1.7 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.0%±3.5 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.6%±5.9 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 100.0%±1.9 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 99.5%±0.8 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 Manchester-by-the-Sea?
Owners occupy 74.7% of Manchester-by-the-Sea's occupied homes and renters 25.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $942,000 by its owner (±$43,571). The median renter pays $1,811 a month including utilities, and 32.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Manchester-by-the-Sea | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $942,000±$43,571 | $619,100 | −$107,043 |
| Median gross rent | $1,811±$443 | $1,756 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.9%±17.0 pts | 46.4% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $4,000 or more | $2,867 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.7%±8.0 pts | 63.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 25.3%±8.0 pts | 36.5% | – |
| Housing units | 2,226±198 | 329,776 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±2.6 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±7.5 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.5%±8.4 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0%±1.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±1.9 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.9%±3.8 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 41.4%±8.7 pts | 34.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.0%±1.9 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 Manchester-by-the-Sea building?
Builders took permits for 9 new housing units in Manchester-by-the-Sea in 2025 (9 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 Manchester-by-the-Sea work and get to work?
53.6% of Manchester-by-the-Sea's workers drive alone and 27.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.4%.
| Measure | Manchester-by-the-Sea | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.5%±5.4 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.4%±4.8 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 53.6%±7.3 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3%±4.7 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 9.0%±5.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.7%±2.1 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 27.4%±8.2 pts | 16.4% | +13.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.7 min±5.2 | 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 Manchester-by-the-Sea?
1 census tract lies mostly in Manchester-by-the-Sea, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2181Essex County | 5,403 | $206,389 |
| Tract 9901Essex County | 0 | not published |
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 Manchester-by-the-Sea) · Census block assignment files
How does Manchester-by-the-Sea compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Manchester-by-the-Sea is the 2,134th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 159th-most populous of 266 in Massachusetts.
Manchester-by-the-Sea ranks 21st 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 | 159th | 266 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 149th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 295th | 461 |
| Median household income | 21st | 453 |
| Per capita income | 16th | 460 |
| Median home value | 38th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 136th | 410 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22nd | 459 |
| Median age | 137th | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 293rd | 460 |
| Work from home | 74th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 236th | 459 |
Manchester-by-the-Sea's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Manchester-by-the-Sea 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 Manchester-by-the-Sea?
20 of the 57 figures for Manchester-by-the-Sea 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 Manchester-by-the-Sea 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.