Middlesex County, MA

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Population

1.61M

0.734% growth

Median Age

38.4


Median Household Income

$100,517

1.99% growth

Poverty Rate

8.22%


Number of Employees

893,298

1.05% growth

Median Property Value

$543,600

6.23% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2018, Middlesex County, MA had a population of 1.61M people with a median age of 38.4 and a median household income of $100,517. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Middlesex County, MA grew from 1.6M to 1.61M, a 0.734% increase and its median household income grew from $98,555 to $100,517, a 1.99% increase.

The population of Middlesex County, MA is 71% White Alone, 12.3% Asian Alone, and 8.26% Hispanic or Latino. 26.2% of the people in Middlesex County, MA speak a non-English language, and 89.1% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Middlesex County, MA are Harvard University (8,797 degrees awarded in 2017), Boston College (4,914 degrees), and University of Massachusetts-Lowell (4,328 degrees).

The median property value in Middlesex County, MA is $543,600, and the homeownership rate is 61.6%. Most people in Middlesex County, MA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 30.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Middlesex County, MA is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Evening traffic on I-93, north of Boston

Photo by Robbie Shade

United StatesMassachusettsBoston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Economy

The economy of Middlesex County, MA employs 893k people. The largest industries in Middlesex County, MA are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (139,068 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (133,684 people), and Educational Services (121,541 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($129,728), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($110,903), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($95,833).

Median household income in Middlesex County, MA is $100,517. Males in Middlesex County, MA have an average income that is 1.36 times higher than the average income of females, which is $66,042. The income inequality in Middlesex County, MA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.483, which is higher than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$100,517

2018 value

± $1,402

1.99%

1 Year Growth

± 3.38%

Households in Middlesex County, MA have a median annual income of $100,517, which is more than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $98,555 in 2017, which represents a 1.99% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Middlesex County, MA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.

$89,637

Average Male Salary

± $1,937

$66,042

Average Female Salary

± $1,326

In 2018, full-time male employees in Massachusetts made 1.36 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Massachusetts by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $78,414 ± $4,378

  2. White

    $68,799 ± $1,194

  3. Two or More Races

    $52,931 ± $4,910

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Massachusetts workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.14 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Massachusetts by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Middlesex County, MA is from Massachusetts.

0.483

2018 Wage GINI

0.484

2017 Wage GINI

In 2018, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.483 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.101% decline from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2018 the GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Massachusetts in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Massachusetts across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 3662.01

  2. Census Tract 3737

  3. Census Tract 3744

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Middlesex County, MA was Census Tract 3662.01 with a value of $228,438, followed by Census Tract 3737 and Census Tract 3744, with respective values of $215,114 and $210,639.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Middlesex County, MA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

8.22% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Middlesex County, MA (125k out of 1.53M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 18 - 24.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    77,782 ± 2,177

  2. Hispanic

    23,593 ± 1,203

  3. Asian

    18,585 ± 1,078

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Middlesex County, MA is White, followed by Hispanic and Asian.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

893k

2018 Value

± 15,374

1.05%

1 Year growth

± 2.4%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Middlesex County, MA grew at a rate of 1.05%, from 884k employees to 893k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Middlesex County, MA, are Management Occupations (120,122 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (76,807 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (76,777 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Middlesex County, MA.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Middlesex County, MA, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (120,122 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (76,807 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (76,777 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Middlesex County, MA has an unusually high number of residents working as Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (3.85 times higher than expected), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (2.3 times), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.92 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Middlesex County, MA, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($104,726), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($101,456), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($96,633).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

893k

2018 Value

± 15,374

1.05%

1 Year growth

± 2.4%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Middlesex County, MA grew at a rate of 1.05%, from 884k employees to 893k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Middlesex County, MA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (139,068 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (133,684 people), and Educational Services (121,541 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Middlesex County, MA, though some of these residents may live in Middlesex County, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Middlesex County, MA, by number of employees, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (139,068 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (133,684 people), and Educational Services (121,541 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Middlesex County, MA has an unusually high number of Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (2.07 times higher than expected), Management of Companies & Enterprises (1.62 times), and Information (1.49 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Middlesex County, MA, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($129,728), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($110,903), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($95,833).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Gasoline

    $30.9B

  2. Mixed freight

    $29.2B

  3. Electronics

    $27.7B

In 2015, the top outbound Massachusetts product (by dollars) was Gasoline with $30.9B, followed by Mixed freight ($29.2B) and Electronics ($27.7B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Massachusetts products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts state.

$260B

2020 Value

$364B

Projected 2045 Value

40% growth

In 2020, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $260B. This is expected to increase 40% to $364B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Massachusetts trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. New York

    $14.6B

  2. Connecticut

    $13.9B

  3. New Hampshire

    $13.9B

In 2015, the top outbound Massachusetts domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $14.6B, followed by Connecticut with $13.9B and New Hampshire and $13.9B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Massachusetts shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

97.3% of the population of Middlesex County, MA has health coverage, with 61% on employee plans, 13.6% on Medicaid, 10.2% on Medicare, 11.9% on non-group plans, and 0.6% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Middlesex County, MA was $10,559 in 2014. This is a 2.78% increase from the previous year ($10,273).

Primary care physicians in Middlesex County, MA see 788 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.51% increase from the previous year (784 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1052 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 202 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Bristol County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (11.4%). Additionally, Bristol County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (29.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

788 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Middlesex County, MA see an average of 788 patients per year. This represents a 0.51% increase from the previous year (784 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Middlesex County, MA in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

$10,559

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$5,302

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,922

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,899

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Massachusetts (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 2.78%, from $10,273 to $10,559.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

2.66%

Uninsured

61%

Employer Coverage

13.6%

Medicaid

10.2%

Medicare

11.9%

Non-Group

0.6%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Middlesex County, MA grew by 5.93% from 2.51% to 2.66%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Middlesex County, MA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Bristol County

    11.4% prevalence

  2. Hampden County

    11.1% prevalence

  3. Plymouth County

    10.8% prevalence

Bristol County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Massachusetts, at 11.4%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Massachusetts by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Middlesex County, MA is home to a population of 1.61M people, from which 89.1% are citizens. As of 2017, 20.3% of Middlesex County, MA residents were born outside of the country (326k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Middlesex County, MA is composed of 1.15M White Alone residents (71%), 198k Asian Alone residents (12.3%), 133k Hispanic or Latino residents (8.26%), 80.8k Black or African American Alone residents (5%), 42.5k Two or More Races residents (2.63%), 10.1k Some Other Race Alone residents (0.625%), 2.06k American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.128%), and 893 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0553%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Middlesex County, MA are Spanish (91,582 speakers), Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) (58,679 speakers), and Portuguese (47,799 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

36

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.4

42

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.7

In 2018, the median age of all people in Middlesex County, MA was 38.4. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 36, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Middlesex County, MA are getting staying the same age. In 2017, the average age of all Middlesex County, MA residents was 38.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

20.3%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

326k people

19.8%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

314k people

As of 2017, 20.3% of Middlesex County, MA residents (326k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Middlesex County, MA was 19.8%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Middlesex County, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.

Most Common Origin

  1. China

    100,431 ± 7,724 people

  2. Dominican Republic

    97,136 ± 7,598 people

  3. Brazil

    81,900 ± 6,984 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 100,431 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 97,136 and Brazil with 81,900.

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Citizenship

89.1%

2018 Citizenship

88.7%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 89.1% of Middlesex County, MA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Middlesex County, MA was 88.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Middlesex County, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    1.15M ± 3.4k

  2. Asian Alone

    198k ± 2.84k

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    133k ± 9.15k

In 2018, there were 5.79 times more White Alone residents (1.15M people) in Middlesex County, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 198k Asian Alone and 133k Hispanic or Latino residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Middlesex County, MA as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. Spanish

    91,582 speakers (5.99%)

  2. Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)

    58,679 speakers (3.84%)

  3. Portuguese

    47,799 speakers (3.13%)

26.2% of Middlesex County, MA citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is higher than the national average of 21.9%. In 2018, the most common non-English language spoken in Middlesex County, MA was Spanish. 5.99% of the overall population of Middlesex County, MA are native Spanish speakers. 3.84% speak Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) and 3.13% speak Spanish, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    16,934 ± 1,751

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    9,011 ± 1,534

  3. Korea

    6,161 ± 1,066

Middlesex County, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.88 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Middlesex County, MA awarded 39,427 degrees. The student population of Middlesex County, MA is skewed towards women, with 61,645 male students and 67,419 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Middlesex County, MA are White (19,700 and 60.8%), followed by Asian (4,025 and 12.4%), Hispanic or Latino (3,292 and 10.2%), and Black or African American (2,135 and 6.59%).

The largest universities in Middlesex County, MA by number of degrees awarded are Harvard University (8,797 and 22.3%), Boston College (4,914 and 12.5%), and University of Massachusetts-Lowell (4,328 and 11%).

The most popular majors in Middlesex County, MA are General Business Administration & Management (2,980 and 7.56%), Computer Science (1,338 and 3.39%), and General Economics (1,120 and 2.84%).

The median tuition costs in Middlesex County, MA are $39,820 for private four year colleges, and $7,660 and $19,233 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Business Administration & Management

    702 degrees awarded

  2. General Economics

    1,051 degrees awarded

  3. Computer Science

    991 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Middlesex County, MA was General Business Administration & Management with 702 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Middlesex County, MA according to their major.

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Harvard University

    8,797 degrees awarded

  2. Boston College

    4,914 degrees awarded

  3. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

    4,328 degrees awarded

$7,660

Median In-State Public

$39,820

Median Private

In 2017, the Middlesex County, MA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Harvard University with 8,797 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

17,947

Degrees Awarded to Men

21,480

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 17,947 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Middlesex County, MA, which is 0.836 times less than the 21,480 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Middlesex County, MA by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    19,700 degrees awarded

  2. Asian

    4,025 degrees awarded

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    3,292 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Middlesex County, MA were to White students. These 19,700 degrees mean that there were 4.89 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 4,025 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Middlesex County, MA was $543,600 in 2018, which is 2.37 times larger than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $511,700 to $543,600, a 6.23% increase. The homeownership rate in Middlesex County, MA is 61.6%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Middlesex County, MA have an average commute time of 30.1 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Middlesex County, MA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$543,600

2018 Median

± $9,627

$511,700

2017 Median

± $9,560

In 2018, the median property value in Middlesex County, MA grew to to $543,600 from the previous year's value of $511,700.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Middlesex County, MA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Middlesex County, MA the largest share of households have a property value in the $500k - $750k range.

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$100,517

Median Household Income

± $1,402

612k

Number of Households

± 11,985

In 2018, the median household income of the 612k households in Middlesex County, MA grew to $100,517 from the previous year's value of $98,555.

The following chart displays the households in Middlesex County, MA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Middlesex County, MA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Middlesex County, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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Rent vs Own

61.6%

2018 Homeownership

62.7%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 61.6% of the housing units in Middlesex County, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 62.7%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Middlesex County, MA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

30.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Middlesex County, MA have a longer commute time (30.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 2.96% of the workforce in Middlesex County, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Middlesex County, MA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    66.8%

  2. Public Transit

    12.5%

  3. Carpooled

    6.37%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Middlesex County, MA was Drove Alone (66.8%), followed by those who Public Transit (12.5%) and those who Carpooled (6.37%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Middlesex County, MA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Middlesex County, MA have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

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