City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Marlborough, MA

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

41,398
Residents
$95,047
Median income
$485,400
Median home
$2,941
Median rent (state)

Marlborough - the verdict

Nationally, Marlborough sits in the 74th percentile for household income and the 47th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

74th
percentile, household income
84th
percentile, home value
97th
percentile, median rent
47th
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: Marlborough, MA

Massachusetts's Marlborough is a small city, with 41,398 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $95,047 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.6%. Marlborough's housing stock carries a median value of $485,400, and the median resident age is 37.2 years. Educational attainment runs 40.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 68.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 323 residential building permits were authorized in Marlborough (Building Boom), up 1246% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Marlborough reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1457.5 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).

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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,941 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $330 across Massachusetts, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 96.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

41,398 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$95,047 /yr

Poverty 6.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Marlborough compare to other US cities?

Here's how Marlborough stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 74% higher than other cities
Home value 84% pricier than other cities
Median rent 97% pricier than other cities
Safety 47% 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: Marlborough ranks #114 of 149 Massachusetts cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Marlborough's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Massachusetts, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

74thIncome percentile
47thSafety percentile

74th percentile nationally for median household income · 47th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Marlborough's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Marlborough'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 44 Avg. percentile National median
Marlborough'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 Marlborough's home value compares nationally

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

$485,400 16th percentile more affordable than 16% 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. Marlborough $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 - Marlborough, MA Marlborough, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Marlborough, 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 Marlborough, MA median $95,047/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%
Marlborough, 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 Marlborough, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 40.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.5%

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

Population
41,398
Median Income
$95,047
Median Home Value
$485,400
Median Age
37.2
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Labor force participation
68.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
40.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1457.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
421.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1036.3
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
9
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
41,000 residents41,500 residents42,000 residents42,500 residents43,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 41,635 residents 42,772 residents ▲ +2.7%
Marlborough's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
323
housing units authorized
Single-Family
14
detached homes
Multifamily
309
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 24
2020 25
2021 29
2022 5
2023 8
2024 323

Permit volume increased 1246% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
66.6%
Carpool
10.7%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
2.0%
Work from Home
16.1%
Other
3.9%

Based on 22,228 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 Marlborough 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
96.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Woburn
41,205 people
Fitchburg
41,633 people
Westfield
40,673 people
Beverly
42,408 people
Chelsea
39,460 people
Pittsfield
43,559 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Marlborough's 41,398 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Shelton, CT
41,402 people
Weslaco, TX
41,437 people
Princeton, FL
41,476 people
Milton, GA
41,305 people
Coram, NY
41,527 people
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
41,259 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Marlborough's $95,047 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Kingston Springs, TN
$95,050 median income
Megargel, TX
$95,066 median income
Greendale, WI
$95,015 median income
Cayuga, NY
$95,089 median income
Knik-Fairview, AK
$95,000 median income
Ridgeway, AK
$95,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Marlborough, 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 Marlborough, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 60.9% 14.1% 16.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 16.9% White 60.9% Black or African American 3.6% Asian 4.9% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 14.1% Two or more races 16.4% 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 Marlborough 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
Marlborough (this city) 41,398 $95,047
Woburn 41,205 $107,754
Fitchburg 41,633 $70,659
Westfield 40,673 $82,847
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Marlborough, MA?

What is the population of Marlborough, MA? +

41,398 people live in Marlborough, MA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Marlborough runs $95,047, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Marlborough? +

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

Marlborough has a total crime rate of 1457.5 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 Marlborough, MA? +

Homes in Marlborough carry a median value of $485,400, 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 Editorial

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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.