Town · Massachusetts
Rockland, Massachusetts
Rockland, town, in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Rockland had 17,949 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 17,803 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 17,701 (±36). GEOID 2502357775.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
17,949
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,803 · ACS 2020-2024: 17,701 ±36
Median household income
$112,405
±$12,309 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$472,900
±$20,761 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,610
±$255 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Rockland and what county is it in?
Rockland is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. It covers 10.0 square miles of land, 1,775 residents per square mile in 2020.
Rockland 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 Rockland, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 17,949 people lived in Rockland on July 1, 2025, up 0.8% since 2020, slower than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 17,803 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 17,701 (±36).
| Measure | Rockland | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 17,701±36 | 535,075 | −252 |
| Households | 6,897±343 | 203,141 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.54±0.13 | 2.58 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,136±362 | 218,096 | no clear change |
Rockland's population since 2000
From 17,670 in 2000 to 17,949 in 2025: up 1.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Rockland 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 Rockland?
The median resident of Rockland is 40.7 years old; 20.2% are under 18 and 15.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 82.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.8%. 8.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rockland | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7±3.3 | 43.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.2%±2.8 pts | 20.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.9%±2.0 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Male | 50.1%±2.8 pts | 48.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.8%±4.3 pts | 4.9% | +5.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 82.4%±5.0 pts | 76.1% | −9.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.3%±1.4 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.7%±1.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 3.1%±2.2 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.6%±3.0 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.0%±5.0 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.7%±1.5 pts | 5.7% | – |
| With a disability | 10.5%±2.0 pts | 11.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.2%±0.8 pts | 2.5% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.8%±2.1 pts | 93.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.7%±4.1 pts | 41.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.2%±2.7 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.2%±2.9 pts | 91.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.7 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 Rockland earn?
Half of Rockland's 6,897 households earn less than $112,405 a year (±$12,309), against $114,201 in Plymouth County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $96,008 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rockland | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $112,405±$12,309 | $114,201 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $132,382±$11,483 | $151,136 | – |
| Per capita income | $51,822±$5,043 | $57,650 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.5%±2.2 pts | 7.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.6%±4.5 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.7%±3.5 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.4%±2.6 pts | 95.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.5%±4.1 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 Rockland?
Owners occupy 76.5% of Rockland's occupied homes and renters 23.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $472,900 by its owner (±$20,761). The median renter pays $1,610 a month including utilities, and 48.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rockland | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $472,900±$20,761 | $556,000 | +$90,400 |
| Median gross rent | $1,610±$255 | $1,747 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.3%±14.5 pts | 45.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,613±$175 | $2,799 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.5%±5.6 pts | 77.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 23.5%±5.6 pts | 22.4% | – |
| Housing units | 7,136±362 | 218,096 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.4%±6.1 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 54.5%±5.6 pts | 69.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.1%±2.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.6%±1.4 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 29.9%±5.8 pts | 21.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.3%±1.7 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 Rockland building?
Builders took permits for 13 new housing units in Rockland in 2025 (7 in single-family houses), 0.7 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 Rockland work and get to work?
75.0% of Rockland's workers drive alone and 14.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.4%.
| Measure | Rockland | Plymouth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 71.9%±3.6 pts | 66.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4%±1.9 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.0%±5.0 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.3%±3.2 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.6%±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.0%±1.1 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.7%±3.9 pts | 16.2% | +10.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.2 min±4.1 | 32.5 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 Rockland?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Rockland (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $88,472 (Tract 5022) to $125,997 (Tract 5021.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 5021.01Plymouth County | 6,842 | $125,997 |
| Tract 5022Plymouth County | 6,098 | $88,472 |
| Tract 5021.02Plymouth County | 4,761 | $121,976 |
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 Rockland) · Census block assignment files
How does Rockland compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Rockland is the 679th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 42nd-most populous of 266 in Massachusetts.
Rockland ranks 218th 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 | 42nd | 266 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 191st | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 100th | 461 |
| Median household income | 218th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 288th | 460 |
| Median home value | 269th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 199th | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 172nd | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 368th | 459 |
| Median age | 375th | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 267th | 460 |
| Work from home | 283rd | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 115th | 459 |
Rockland's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Rockland 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 Rockland?
11 of the 57 figures for Rockland 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 Rockland 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.