Town · Massachusetts
Stow, Massachusetts
Stow, town, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Stow had 7,248 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 7,174 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 7,165 (±33). GEOID 2501768050.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,248
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,174 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,165 ±33
Median household income
$185,809
±$22,387 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$729,600
±$38,580 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,782
±$126 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Stow and what county is it in?
Stow is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It covers 17.3 square miles of land, 414 residents per square mile in 2020.
Stow 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 Stow, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 7,248 people lived in Stow on July 1, 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 7,174 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 7,165 (±33).
| Measure | Stow | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,165±33 | 1,638,365 | no clear change |
| Households | 2,773±210 | 634,215 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.58±0.19 | 2.49 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,820±206 | 664,267 | no clear change |
Stow's population since 2000
From 5,902 in 2000 to 7,248 in 2025: up 22.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Stow 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 Stow?
The median resident of Stow is 44.1 years old; 22.3% are under 18 and 19.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.1%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 6.1%. 11.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Stow | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.1±4.4 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.3%±3.7 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.1%±2.7 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Male | 52.5%±2.9 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9%±1.4 pts | 9.3% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.1%±6.2 pts | 65.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.2%±3.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.1%±5.0 pts | 13.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6%±1.7 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.6%±4.8 pts | 23.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.2%±5.4 pts | 29.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.1%±2.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| With a disability | 7.9%±1.6 pts | 9.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 0.8%±1.0 pts | 2.4% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 98.6%±0.8 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 75.1%±4.5 pts | 59.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 41.7%±4.8 pts | 30.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.2%±4.2 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±1.6 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 Stow earn?
Half of Stow's 2,773 households earn less than $185,809 a year (±$22,387), against $130,847 in Middlesex County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $182,432 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart.
| Measure | Stow | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $185,809±$22,387 | $130,847 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $223,202±$22,383 | $178,070 | – |
| Per capita income | $86,307±$9,250 | $69,556 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.2%±4.6 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.7%±11.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.7%±2.6 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.4%±2.1 pts | 97.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 98.4%±1.8 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 Stow?
Owners occupy 85.4% of Stow's occupied homes and renters 14.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $729,600 by its owner (±$38,580). The median renter pays $1,782 a month including utilities, and 35.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Stow | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $729,600±$38,580 | $727,800 | +$104,654 |
| Median gross rent | $1,782±$126 | $2,201 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.6%±22.0 pts | 37.6% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,636±$206 | $3,224 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 85.4%±6.7 pts | 61.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 14.6%±6.7 pts | 38.7% | – |
| Housing units | 2,820±206 | 664,267 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.8 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.9%±4.7 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.7%±6.6 pts | 46.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0%±1.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 12.3%±5.0 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.9%±7.2 pts | 32.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.2%±2.3 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 Stow building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units in Stow in 2025 (3 in single-family houses), 0.4 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 Stow work and get to work?
56.5% of Stow's workers drive alone and 36.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 35.7 minutes.
| Measure | Stow | Middlesex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.5%±3.5 pts | 69.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1%±4.3 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 56.5%±5.7 pts | 54.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.0%±2.3 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.4%±1.6 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.0%±1.1 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 36.6%±5.7 pts | 24.7% | +27.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 35.7 min±3.1 | 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 Stow?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Stow (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $175,220 (Tract 3231.01) to $221,146 (Tract 3231.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3231.01Middlesex County | 3,687 | $175,220 |
| Tract 3231.02Middlesex County | 3,478 | $221,146 |
| Tract 9800Middlesex 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 Stow) · Census block assignment files
How does Stow compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Stow is the 1,676th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 131st-most populous of 266 in Massachusetts.
Stow ranks 44th 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 | 131st | 266 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 178th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 332nd | 461 |
| Median household income | 44th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 50th | 460 |
| Median home value | 101st | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 147th | 410 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38th | 459 |
| Median age | 242nd | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 139th | 460 |
| Work from home | 12th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 57th | 459 |
Stow's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Stow 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 Stow?
18 of the 57 figures for Stow 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 Stow 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.