City · Massachusetts
Melrose, Massachusetts
Melrose, city, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Melrose had 29,597 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 29,817 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 29,650 (±28). GEOID 2540115.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
29,597
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 29,817 · ACS 2020-2024: 29,650 ±28
Median household income
$133,953
±$14,410 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$822,900
±$19,886 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,970
±$149 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Melrose and what county is it in?
Melrose is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It covers 4.7 square miles of land, 6,367 residents per square mile in 2020.
Melrose 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 Melrose, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 29,597 people lived in Melrose on July 1, 2025, down 0.7% since 2020, while Massachusetts grew 1.7%. The 2020 Census counted 29,817 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 29,650 (±28).
| Measure | Melrose | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 29,650 ±28 | 1,638,365 | +1,537 |
| Households | 12,401 ±488 | 634,215 | +1,072 |
| Average household size | 2.37 ±0.09 | 2.49 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,771 ±460 | 664,267 | +984 |
Melrose's population since 2000
From 27,134 in 2000 to 29,597 in 2025: up 9.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Melrose 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 Melrose?
The median resident of Melrose is 43.6 years old; 20.2% are under 18 and 20.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 76.9%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 11.0%. 17.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Melrose | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.6 ±1.1 | 38.9 | +2.3 |
| Under 18 years | 20.2% ±1.5 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.6% ±1.8 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Male | 49.0% ±1.9 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.2% ±1.5 pts | 9.3% | +2.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 76.9% ±4.0 pts | 65.1% | −8.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±0.8 pts | 4.7% | −1.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 11.0% ±3.9 pts | 13.6% | +4.8 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 | 5.0% ±1.6 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 17.6% ±2.5 pts | 23.1% | +5.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 22.4% ±3.7 pts | 29.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.6% ±0.7 pts | 3.3% | – |
| With a disability | 10.5% ±1.7 pts | 9.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 0.9% ±0.5 pts | 2.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.3% ±1.5 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 62.0% ±2.8 pts | 59.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 28.2% ±2.5 pts | 30.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.0% ±1.4 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0% ±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 Melrose earn?
Half of Melrose's 12,401 households earn less than $133,953 a year (±$14,410), against $130,847 in Middlesex County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $131,629 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Melrose | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $133,953 ±$14,410 | $130,847 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $161,490 ±$8,140 | $178,070 | – |
| Per capita income | $67,861 ±$3,513 | $69,556 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 3.8% ±1.0 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 1.9% ±1.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.3% ±1.9 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.1% ±1.5 pts | 97.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.8% ±2.0 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 Melrose?
Owners occupy 67.2% of Melrose's occupied homes and renters 32.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $822,900 by its owner (±$19,886). The median renter pays $1,970 a month including utilities, and 42.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Melrose | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $822,900 ±$19,886 | $727,800 | +$121,035 |
| Median gross rent | $1,970 ±$149 | $2,201 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.3% ±7.0 pts | 37.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,213 ±$104 | $3,224 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.2% ±3.1 pts | 61.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 32.8% ±3.1 pts | 38.7% | – |
| Housing units | 12,771 ±460 | 664,267 | +984 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±1.0 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.6% ±2.7 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 53.0% ±3.5 pts | 46.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.2% ±1.0 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3% ±0.8 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.4% ±1.3 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 52.2% ±3.5 pts | 32.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.3% ±2.1 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 Melrose building?
Builders took permits for 52 new housing units in Melrose in 2025 (11 in single-family houses), 1.8 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 Melrose work and get to work?
48.6% of Melrose's workers drive alone and 29.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 34.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.7%.
| Measure | Melrose | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.7% ±2.3 pts | 69.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% ±1.2 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 48.6% ±2.9 pts | 54.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.4% ±1.7 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 12.4% ±2.0 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Walked | 1.8% ±0.8 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 29.6% ±3.0 pts | 24.7% | +24.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 34.5 min ±1.9 | 29.9 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 Melrose?
7 census tracts lie mostly in Melrose (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $95,586 (Tract 3364.04) to $182,404 (Tract 3362.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3363Middlesex County | 6,916 | $166,760 |
| Tract 3361Middlesex County | 5,684 | $114,605 |
| Tract 3364.02Middlesex County | 5,070 | $104,327 |
| Tract 3364.03Middlesex County | 3,344 | $135,054 |
| Tract 3362.02Middlesex County | 3,223 | $138,750 |
| Tract 3362.01Middlesex County | 2,958 | $182,404 |
| Tract 3364.04Middlesex County | 2,455 | $95,586 |
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 Melrose) · Census block assignment files
How does Melrose compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Melrose is the 1,369th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 46th-most populous of 58 in Massachusetts.
Melrose ranks 128th 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 | 46th | 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 252nd | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 15th | 461 |
| Median household income | 128th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 124th | 460 |
| Median home value | 69th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 96th | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 274th | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 101st | 459 |
| Median age | 265th | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 363rd | 460 |
| Work from home | 56th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 84th | 459 |
Melrose's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Melrose 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 Melrose?
7 of the 57 figures for Melrose 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 Melrose 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 Melrose.