Town · Massachusetts
Norfolk, Massachusetts
Norfolk, town, in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Norfolk had 12,096 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 11,662 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 11,673 (±45). GEOID 2502146050.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,096
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,662 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,673 ±45
Median household income
$200,720
±$21,984 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$725,200
±$34,405 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$2,019
±$598 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Norfolk and what county is it in?
Norfolk is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. It covers 14.9 square miles of land, 783 residents per square mile in 2020.
Norfolk 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 Norfolk, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 12,096 people lived in Norfolk on July 1, 2025, up 3.7% since 2020, faster than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 11,662 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 11,673 (±45).
| Measure | Norfolk | Norfolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,673±45 | 730,082 | −113 |
| Households | 3,453±206 | 283,368 | +267 |
| Average household size | 2.94±0.17 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,557±237 | 295,227 | no clear change |
Norfolk's population since 2000
From 10,460 in 2000 to 12,096 in 2025: up 15.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Norfolk 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 Norfolk?
The median resident of Norfolk is 41.6 years old; 24.4% are under 18 and 13.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 5.6%. 6.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Norfolk | Norfolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6±1.3 | 40.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.4%±2.7 pts | 20.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.8%±2.0 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Male | 56.8%±1.8 pts | 48.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.7%±2.3 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.1%±4.0 pts | 68.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.6%±0.9 pts | 7.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±1.4 pts | 12.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.2%±3.2 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±1.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.3%±1.8 pts | 19.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.3%±2.7 pts | 23.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.5%±1.1 pts | 3.8% | – |
| With a disability | 6.4%±1.7 pts | 9.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 1.9% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.4%±1.5 pts | 94.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 61.6%±3.4 pts | 58.8% | +11.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 25.0%±3.1 pts | 28.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.6%±3.0 pts | 89.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
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 Norfolk earn?
Half of Norfolk's 3,453 households earn less than $200,720 a year (±$21,984), against $130,739 in Norfolk County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $186,178 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart.
| Measure | Norfolk | Norfolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $200,720±$21,984 | $130,739 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $235,023±$20,251 | $183,022 | – |
| Per capita income | $71,933±$5,302 | $71,758 | +$12,063 |
| People below the poverty line | 2.2%±1.5 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 2.3%±3.7 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 1.9%±1.5 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.7%±1.1 pts | 96.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 99.0%±1.0 pts | 94.8% | – |
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 Norfolk?
Owners occupy 94.9% of Norfolk's occupied homes and renters 5.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $725,200 by its owner (±$34,405). The median renter pays $2,019 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Norfolk | Norfolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $725,200±$34,405 | $683,900 | +$102,100 |
| Median gross rent | $2,019±$598 | $2,149 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.6%±32.6 pts | 41.1% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,520±$248 | $3,171 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 94.9%±2.7 pts | 68.7% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 5.1%±2.7 pts | 31.3% | – |
| Housing units | 3,557±237 | 295,227 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.9%±9.7 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 90.8%±2.7 pts | 56.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±1.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 16.1%±6.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.8%±2.8 pts | 26.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.3%±0.6 pts | 9.2% | – |
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 Norfolk building?
Builders took permits for 16 new housing units in Norfolk in 2025 (16 in single-family houses), 1.3 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 Norfolk work and get to work?
60.5% of Norfolk's workers drive alone and 32.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 36.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.6%.
| Measure | Norfolk | Norfolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.4%±2.5 pts | 69.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6%±2.5 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 60.5%±6.1 pts | 57.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 2.8%±1.5 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.0%±1.7 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 32.6%±6.2 pts | 22.8% | +24.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 36.2 min±2.6 | 32.5 min | −4.5 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 Norfolk?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Norfolk (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $175,577 (Tract 4091.01) to $208,504 (Tract 4091.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4091.01Norfolk County | 6,077 | $175,577 |
| Tract 4091.02Norfolk County | 5,596 | $208,504 |
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 Norfolk) · Census block assignment files
How does Norfolk compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Norfolk is the 1,028th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 84th-most populous of 266 in Massachusetts.
Norfolk ranks 26th 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 | 84th | 266 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 50th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 240th | 461 |
| Median household income | 26th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 103rd | 460 |
| Median home value | 103rd | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 83rd | 410 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 103rd | 459 |
| Median age | 348th | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 24th | 460 |
| Work from home | 31st | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 45th | 459 |
Norfolk's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Norfolk 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 Norfolk?
16 of the 57 figures for Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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.