County · Massachusetts
Norfolk County, Massachusetts
Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Norfolk County had 739,749 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.9% since 2020, in line with Massachusetts (+1.7%). It holds 35 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 16 towns and townships and 14 census-designated) and 154 census tracts. GEOID 25021.
Norfolk County is one of the 7 counties of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
739,749
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 725,981 · ACS 2020-2024: 730,082
Median household income
$130,739
±$2,551 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$683,900
±$5,690 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$2,149
±$29 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
How many people live in Norfolk County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 725,981 residents in Norfolk County. The Census Bureau estimates 739,749 for July 1, 2025, up 1.9% since 2020, in line with Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 730,082 over 396 square miles of land.
| Measure | Norfolk County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 730,082 | 7,044,056 | +29,645 |
| Households | 283,368±824 | 2,785,042 | +18,068 |
| Average household size | 2.51±0.01 | 2.44 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 295,227±233 | 3,030,406 | +16,612 |
Norfolk County's population since 2000
From 650,308 in 2000 to 739,749 in 2025: up 13.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Norfolk County?
Norfolk County holds 35 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 16 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 14 census-designated places. The largest is Quincy with 103,173 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Quincy | 101,636 | $98,882 |
|---|---|---|
| Brookline | 63,191 | $142,101 |
| Weymouth Town | 57,437 | $102,714 |
| Braintree Town | 39,143 | $122,214 |
| Randolph Town | 34,984 | $109,573 |
| Franklin Town | 33,261 | $145,773 |
| Needham | 32,091 | $214,308 |
| Norwood | 31,611 | $107,030 |
| Wellesley | 29,550 | $250,000 or more |
| Stoughton | 29,281 | $104,794 |
| Milton | 28,630 | $188,529 |
| Walpole | 26,383 | $171,500 |
| Dedham | 25,364 | $128,955 |
| Canton | 24,370 | $143,381 |
| Foxborough | 18,618 | $115,833 |
| Sharon | 18,575 | $191,835 |
| Bellingham | 16,945 | $125,307 |
| Westwood | 16,266 | $223,125 |
| Medway | 13,115 | $173,750 |
| Medfield | 12,799 | $235,800 |
| Wrentham | 12,178 | $151,676 |
| Norfolk | 11,662 | $200,720 |
| Holbrook | 11,405 | $115,210 |
| Plainville | 9,945 | $104,106 |
| Millis | 8,460 | $155,996 |
| Cohasset | 8,381 | $199,306 |
| Medfield CDP | 6,939 | $218,946 |
| Foxborough CDP | 6,227 | $86,871 |
| Sharon CDP | 6,184 | $183,808 |
| Walpole CDP | 6,119 | $154,263 |
| Dover | 5,923 | $250,000 or more |
| Bellingham CDP | 4,782 | $96,763 |
| Avon | 4,777 | $130,625 |
| Millis-Clicquot | 4,499 | $146,853 |
| Dover CDP | 2,452 | $250,000 or more |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Norfolk County?
The median resident of Norfolk County is 40.9 years old; 20.5% are under 18 and 17.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 68.7%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 12.4%. 19.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Norfolk County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9±0.2 | 40.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.5% | 19.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.8%±0.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.8% | 13.3% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 68.7%±0.3 pts | 66.6% | −6.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.1%±0.2 pts | 6.4% | +0.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 12.4%±0.2 pts | 7.3% | +1.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8%±0.3 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 19.3%±0.4 pts | 18.0% | +0.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 23.3%±0.5 pts | 25.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.8%±0.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 9.9%±0.3 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.9%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.4%±0.3 pts | 91.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 58.8%±0.5 pts | 47.3% | +5.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 28.4%±0.5 pts | 21.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±0.2 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Norfolk County's 283,368 households earn less than $130,739 a year (±$2,551), against $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 the median was $127,120 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,619 after inflation. 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Norfolk County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $130,739±$2,551 | $103,960 | +$3,619 |
| Mean household income | $183,022±$2,311 | $144,950 | – |
| Per capita income | $71,758±$887 | $57,897 | +$5,437 |
| People below the poverty line | 6.7%±0.4 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.4%±0.7 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.4%±0.4 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.8%±0.3 pts | 92.8% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 68.7% of Norfolk County's occupied homes and renters 31.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $683,900 by its owner (±$5,690). The median renter pays $2,149 a month including utilities, and 41.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Norfolk County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $683,900±$5,690 | $562,100 | +$104,489 |
| Median gross rent | $2,149±$29 | $1,762 | +$193 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.1%±1.5 pts | 41.8% | +3.2 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,171±$32 | $2,726 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.7%±0.7 pts | 62.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 295,227±233 | 3,030,406 | +16,612 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.0%±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 56.6%±0.7 pts | 51.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 26.1%±0.6 pts | 30.5% | – |
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 County building?
Builders took permits for 1,194 new housing units across Norfolk County in 2025 (399 single-family), 1.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Norfolk County get to work?
57.4% of Norfolk County's workers drive alone and 22.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Norfolk County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.2%±0.4 pts | 67.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | +0.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 57.4%±0.7 pts | 61.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.0%±0.4 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 8.7%±0.4 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.1%±0.3 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 22.8%±0.5 pts | 18.6% | +17.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.5 min±0.4 | 29.1 min | −2.5 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 are Norfolk County's census tracts?
Norfolk County is divided into 154 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $47,950 (Tract 4178.02) to $250,000 or more (Tract 4061.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Norfolk County compare with Massachusetts's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 5th of 14 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 9th of 14 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd of 14 |
| Median household income | 3rd of 14 |
| Median home value | 5th of 14 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd of 14 |
| Poverty rate | 12th of 14 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 2nd of 14 |
| Median age | 8th of 14 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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.