Town · Massachusetts
Rockport, Massachusetts
Rockport, town, in Essex County, Massachusetts. Rockport had 7,126 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 6,992 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 7,009 (±23). GEOID 2500957880.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,126
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,992 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,009 ±23
Median household income
$96,250
±$15,271 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$746,100
±$47,317 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,851
±$219 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Rockport and what county is it in?
Rockport is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts. It covers 7.0 square miles of land, 1,001 residents per square mile in 2020.
One place lies inside Rockport: Rockport (CDP, 5,010 in 2020).
Rockport 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 Rockport, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 7,126 people lived in Rockport on July 1, 2025, up 1.9% since 2020, in line with Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 6,992 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 7,009 (±23).
| Measure | Rockport | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,009±23 | 813,054 | −222 |
| Households | 3,238±196 | 313,147 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.15±0.13 | 2.54 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,140±239 | 329,776 | no clear change |
Rockport's population since 2000
From 7,767 in 2000 to 7,126 in 2025: down 8.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Rockport 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 Rockport?
The median resident of Rockport is 59.7 years old; 13.8% are under 18 and 38.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.6%. 4.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rockport | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 59.7±3.3 | 41.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 13.8%±4.2 pts | 20.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 38.2%±5.4 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Male | 45.2%±3.2 pts | 48.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.6%±1.5 pts | 24.1% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.4%±1.9 pts | 64.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 3.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.1%±1.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.8%±2.1 pts | 19.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.3%±3.0 pts | 28.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6%±2.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 11.7%±2.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.3%±1.0 pts | 2.8% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.2%±1.4 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 55.1%±5.3 pts | 43.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 29.0%±4.0 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.1%±4.0 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
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 Rockport earn?
Half of Rockport's 3,238 households earn less than $96,250 a year (±$15,271), against $101,883 in Essex County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $104,865 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rockport | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $96,250±$15,271 | $101,883 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $131,217±$14,131 | $140,098 | – |
| Per capita income | $61,642±$7,184 | $54,665 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.3%±3.7 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.6%±17.1 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.5%±3.4 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.3%±1.9 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.0%±2.7 pts | 92.4% | – |
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 Rockport?
Owners occupy 68.3% of Rockport's occupied homes and renters 31.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $746,100 by its owner (±$47,317). The median renter pays $1,851 a month including utilities, and 55.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rockport | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $746,100±$47,317 | $619,100 | +$85,956 |
| Median gross rent | $1,851±$219 | $1,756 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 55.1%±13.6 pts | 46.4% | +21.4 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,036±$248 | $2,867 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.3%±5.9 pts | 63.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 31.7%±5.9 pts | 36.5% | – |
| Housing units | 4,140±239 | 329,776 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.9 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.3%±5.3 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.0%±5.3 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.5%±0.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.2%±1.6 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 46.4%±6.3 pts | 34.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.7%±3.2 pts | 9.3% | – |
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 Rockport building?
Builders took permits for 5 new housing units in Rockport in 2025 (5 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 Rockport work and get to work?
70.0% of Rockport's workers drive alone and 22.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.4%.
| Measure | Rockport | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.2%±3.9 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.4%±3.3 pts | 5.1% | +4.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 70.0%±5.8 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 2.7%±1.8 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.7%±1.8 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.7%±1.5 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 22.0%±5.4 pts | 16.4% | +15.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.9 min±3.9 | 28.5 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 Rockport?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Rockport, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $94,886 (Tract 2201.02) to $101,016 (Tract 2201.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2201.01Essex County | 3,746 | $101,016 |
| Tract 2201.02Essex County | 3,263 | $94,886 |
| Tract 9901Essex County | 0 | not published |
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 Rockport) · Census block assignment files
How does Rockport compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Rockport is the 1,701st-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 134th-most populous of 266 in Massachusetts.
Rockport ranks 298th 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 | 134th | 266 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 133rd | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 189th | 461 |
| Median household income | 298th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 176th | 460 |
| Median home value | 90th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 119th | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 179th | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 151st | 459 |
| Median age | 31st | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 355th | 460 |
| Work from home | 145th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 232nd | 459 |
Rockport's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Rockport 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 Rockport?
16 of the 57 figures for Rockport 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 Rockport 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.