City · Massachusetts
Medford, Massachusetts
Medford, city, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Medford had 59,834 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 59,659 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 59,354 (±38). GEOID 2539835.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
59,834
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 59,659 · ACS 2020-2024: 59,354 ±38
Median household income
$129,540
±$7,926 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$755,500
±$23,189 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$2,509
±$94 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Medford and what county is it in?
Medford is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It covers 8.1 square miles of land, 7,364 residents per square mile in 2020.
Medford 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 Medford, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 59,834 people lived in Medford on July 1, 2025, up 0.1% since 2020, slower than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 59,659 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 59,354 (±38).
| Measure | Medford | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 59,354 ±38 | 1,638,365 | +1,717 |
| Households | 24,339 ±636 | 634,215 | +1,422 |
| Average household size | 2.34 ±0.06 | 2.49 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 25,587 ±572 | 664,267 | +1,479 |
Medford's population since 2000
From 55,765 in 2000 to 59,834 in 2025: up 7.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Medford 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 Medford?
The median resident of Medford is 35.9 years old; 12.7% are under 18 and 15.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 66.0%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 13.0%. 23.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Medford | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.9 ±1.0 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 12.7% ±1.3 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.2% ±1.2 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Male | 47.7% ±1.3 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.7% ±2.0 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 66.0% ±2.6 pts | 65.1% | −5.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.3% ±1.6 pts | 4.7% | −2.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 13.0% ±1.5 pts | 13.6% | +3.2 pts |
| 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% ±0.9 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 23.3% ±2.0 pts | 23.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 29.1% ±2.7 pts | 29.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.3% ±0.6 pts | 3.3% | – |
| With a disability | 9.6% ±1.1 pts | 9.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.4% ±1.7 pts | 2.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.6% ±1.0 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 59.8% ±2.1 pts | 59.5% | +6.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 27.6% ±2.1 pts | 30.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.7% ±1.9 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.5% ±0.8 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 Medford earn?
Half of Medford's 24,339 households earn less than $129,540 a year (±$7,926), against $130,847 in Middlesex County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 the median was $118,707 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,833 after inflation. 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Medford | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $129,540 ±$7,926 | $130,847 | +$10,833 |
| Mean household income | $161,587 ±$7,522 | $178,070 | – |
| Per capita income | $66,184 ±$3,109 | $69,556 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.6% ±1.3 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.3% ±6.7 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.9% ±1.9 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.9% ±1.1 pts | 97.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.8% ±1.7 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 Medford?
Owners occupy 54.1% of Medford's occupied homes and renters 45.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $755,500 by its owner (±$23,189). The median renter pays $2,509 a month including utilities, and 32.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Medford | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $755,500 ±$23,189 | $727,800 | +$139,169 |
| Median gross rent | $2,509 ±$94 | $2,201 | +$273 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.9% ±3.6 pts | 37.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,036 ±$130 | $3,224 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.1% ±2.4 pts | 61.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 45.9% ±2.4 pts | 38.7% | – |
| Housing units | 25,587 ±572 | 664,267 | +1,479 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.2% ±1.7 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 33.8% ±2.1 pts | 46.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4% ±0.5 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.5% ±1.1 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 48.8% ±2.5 pts | 32.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 11.6% ±1.8 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 Medford building?
Builders took permits for 8 new housing units in Medford in 2025 (8 in single-family houses; the permit office reported 1 of 12 months), 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 Medford work and get to work?
48.4% of Medford's workers drive alone and 26.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Medford | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.2% ±1.7 pts | 69.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% ±1.0 pts | 4.4% | +1.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 48.4% ±2.7 pts | 54.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.0% ±1.5 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 11.9% ±1.6 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Walked | 3.8% ±0.8 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 26.8% ±2.3 pts | 24.7% | +22.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.2 min ±1.1 | 29.9 min | −2.8 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 Medford?
14 census tracts lie mostly in Medford (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $77,386 (Tract 3391.01) to $197,500 (Tract 3392).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3401Middlesex County | 6,584 | $165,893 |
| Tract 3392Middlesex County | 5,614 | $197,500 |
| Tract 3395Middlesex County | 5,440 | $105,625 |
| Tract 3396Middlesex County | 5,431 | $150,074 |
| Tract 3399Middlesex County | 5,221 | $109,100 |
| Tract 3398.02Middlesex County | 4,757 | $125,000 |
| Tract 3397Middlesex County | 3,807 | $92,809 |
| Tract 3398.03Middlesex County | 3,699 | $124,756 |
| Tract 3394Middlesex County | 3,657 | $141,563 |
| Tract 3391.02Middlesex County | 3,371 | $154,620 |
| Tract 3391.01Middlesex County | 3,191 | $77,386 |
| Tract 3393Middlesex County | 3,142 | $122,011 |
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 Medford) · Census block assignment files
How does Medford compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Medford is the 679th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 20th-most populous of 58 in Massachusetts.
Medford ranks 142nd 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 | 20th | 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 217th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 14th | 461 |
| Median household income | 142nd | 453 |
| Per capita income | 136th | 460 |
| Median home value | 84th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 23rd | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 142nd | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 118th | 459 |
| Median age | 439th | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 423rd | 460 |
| Work from home | 85th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 221st | 459 |
Medford's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Medford 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 Medford?
5 of the 57 figures for Medford 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 Medford 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 Medford.