Town · Massachusetts
Rochester, Massachusetts
Rochester, town, in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Rochester had 5,956 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,717 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 5,837 (±36). GEOID 2502357600.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,956
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,717 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,837 ±36
Median household income
$120,273
±$11,939 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$599,100
±$31,152 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,432
±$743 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Rochester and what county is it in?
Rochester is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. It covers 33.6 square miles of land, 170 residents per square mile in 2020.
Rochester is in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Rochester is the same area as Census Tract 5411 of Plymouth County: the tract's figures are Rochester's own.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Rochester, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,956 people lived in Rochester on July 1, 2025, up 4.1% since 2020, faster than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 5,717 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 5,837 (±36).
| Measure | Rochester | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,837±36 | 535,075 | +257 |
| Households | 2,235±141 | 203,141 | +307 |
| Average household size | 2.61±0.16 | 2.58 | −0.28 |
| Housing units | 2,255±138 | 218,096 | +275 |
Rochester's population since 2000
From 4,581 in 2000 to 5,956 in 2025: up 30.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Rochester 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 Rochester?
The median resident of Rochester is 46.5 years old; 20.1% are under 18 and 20.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.2%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.8%. 4.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rochester | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.5±6.0 | 43.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.1%±3.4 pts | 20.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.1%±3.7 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Male | 46.9%±3.0 pts | 48.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 4.9% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.2%±5.8 pts | 76.1% | −6.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 1.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8%±4.2 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 3.2%±4.7 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.8%±2.3 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.0%±3.4 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.4%±2.3 pts | 5.7% | – |
| With a disability | 8.6%±3.2 pts | 11.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.0%±1.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5%±2.5 pts | 93.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 43.5%±6.6 pts | 41.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.6%±4.2 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.1%±7.3 pts | 91.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±1.0 pts | 0.7% | – |
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 Rochester earn?
Half of Rochester's 2,235 households earn less than $120,273 a year (±$11,939), against $114,201 in Plymouth County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $128,043 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart.
| Measure | Rochester | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $120,273±$11,939 | $114,201 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $137,911±$14,953 | $151,136 | – |
| Per capita income | $52,938±$5,310 | $57,650 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.4%±4.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.0%±14.6 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.5%±3.8 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.1%±2.1 pts | 95.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.7%±3.2 pts | 92.9% | – |
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 Rochester?
Owners occupy 88.1% of Rochester's occupied homes and renters 11.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $599,100 by its owner (±$31,152). The median renter pays $1,432 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Rochester | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $599,100±$31,152 | $556,000 | +$95,131 |
| Median gross rent | $1,432±$743 | $1,747 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 29.4%±36.3 pts | 45.4% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,497±$244 | $2,799 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 88.1%±8.2 pts | 77.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 11.9%±8.2 pts | 22.4% | – |
| Housing units | 2,255±138 | 218,096 | +275 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±2.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±14.8 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 94.5%±3.4 pts | 69.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0%±1.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3%±2.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.5%±3.9 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.1%±5.3 pts | 21.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.4%±2.0 pts | 6.0% | – |
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 Rochester building?
Builders took permits for 24 new housing units in Rochester in 2025 (24 in single-family houses), 4.0 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 Rochester work and get to work?
88.3% of Rochester's workers drive alone and 8.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 36.5 minutes.
| Measure | Rochester | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.4%±6.2 pts | 66.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%±2.4 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 88.3%±4.4 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.2%±2.2 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Walked | 0.0%±1.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.3%±3.8 pts | 16.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 36.5 min±4.2 | 32.5 min | +6.6 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 Rochester?
1 census tract lies mostly in Rochester (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 5411Plymouth County | 5,837 | $120,273 |
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 Rochester) · Census block assignment files
How does Rochester compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Rochester is the 2,002nd-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 154th-most populous of 266 in Massachusetts.
Rochester ranks 180th 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 | 154th | 266 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 39th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 407th | 461 |
| Median household income | 180th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 272nd | 460 |
| Median home value | 178th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 245th | 410 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 264th | 459 |
| Median age | 180th | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 92nd | 460 |
| Work from home | 395th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 41st | 459 |
Rochester's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Rochester 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 Rochester?
23 of the 57 figures for Rochester 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 Rochester 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.