Middlesex County, MA

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Population

1.6M

0.829% growth

Median Age

38.4


Median Household Income

$98,555

3.47% growth

Poverty Rate

8.22%


Number of Employees

883,991

0.15% growth

Median Property Value

$511,700

7.16% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Middlesex County, MA had a population of 1.6M people with a median age of 38.4 and a median household income of $98,555. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Middlesex County, MA grew from 1.59M to 1.6M, a 0.829% increase and its median household income grew from $95,249 to $98,555, a 3.47% increase.

The population of Middlesex County, MA is 71.8% White Alone, 12% Asian Alone, and 8.02% Hispanic or Latino. 27.4% of the people in Middlesex County, MA speak a non-English language, and 88.7% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Middlesex County, MA are Harvard University (7,908 degrees awarded in 2016), Boston College (4,791 degrees), and University of Massachusetts-Lowell (4,119 degrees).

The median property value in Middlesex County, MA is $511,700, and the homeownership rate is 62.7%. Most people in Middlesex County, MA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 29.1 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 884k people. The largest industries in Middlesex County, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (131,091 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (130,089 people), and Educational Services (120,457 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($102,611), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($91,403), and Finance & Insurance ($90,261).

Median household income in Middlesex County, MA is $98,555. Males in Middlesex County, MA have an average income that is 1.32 times higher than the average income of females, which is $65,619. The income inequality in Middlesex County, MA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.484, which is higher than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$98,555

2017 value

± $3,105

3.47%

1 Year Growth

± 3.5%

Households in Middlesex County, MA have a median annual income of $98,555, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $95,249 in 2016, which represents a 3.47% 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.

$86,839

Average Male Salary

± $1,813

$65,619

Average Female Salary

± $1,325

In 2017, full-time male employees in Massachusetts made 1.32 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

    $74,395 ± $4,445

  2. White

    $67,530 ± $1,140

  3. American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races

    $50,403 ± $38,348

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Massachusetts workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.1 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.

0.484

2017 Wage GINI

0.48

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.484 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.775% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 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 13.4%. 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

884k

2017 Value

± 15,049

0.15%

1 Year growth

± 2.41%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Middlesex County, MA grew at a rate of 0.15%, from 883k employees to 884k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Middlesex County, MA, are Management Occupations (119,784 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (90,586 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (74,471 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 (119,784 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (90,586 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (74,471 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 (4.22 times higher than expected), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (2.12 times), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.75 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Middlesex County, MA, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($101,355), Management Occupations ($100,290), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($91,547).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

884k

2017 Value

± 15,049

0.15%

1 Year growth

± 2.41%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Middlesex County, MA grew at a rate of 0.15%, from 883k employees to 884k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Middlesex County, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (131,091 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (130,089 people), and Educational Services (120,457 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 Health Care & Social Assistance (131,091 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (130,089 people), and Educational Services (120,457 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Middlesex County, MA has an unusually high number of Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1.97 times higher than expected), Educational Services (1.49 times), and Information (1.44 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Middlesex County, MA, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($102,611), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($91,403), and Finance & Insurance ($90,261).

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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

    $31.5B

  2. Mixed freight

    $27.2B

  3. Electronics

    $24.1B

In 2015, the top outbound Massachusetts product (by dollars) was Gasoline with $31.5B, followed by Mixed freight ($27.2B) and Electronics ($24.1B).

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.

$240B

2015 Value

$364B

Projected 2045 Value

51.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $240B. This is expected to increase 51.4% 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 Hampshire

    $13.2B

  2. New York

    $13.2B

  3. Connecticut

    $12.7B

In 2015, the top outbound Massachusetts domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New Hampshire with $13.2B, followed by New York with $13.2B and Connecticut and $12.7B.

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 1.6M people, from which 88.7% 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 (71.8%), 193k Asian Alone residents (12%), 129k Hispanic or Latino residents (8.02%), 81.4k Black or African American Alone residents (5.08%), 36.6k Two or More Races residents (2.29%), 10.7k Some Other Race Alone residents (0.664%), 1.6k American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.0995%), and 158 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.00986%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Middlesex County, MA are Spanish (91,112 speakers), Portuguese (58,867 speakers), and Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) (52,195 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

37

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.4

42

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.9

In 2017, the median age of all people in Middlesex County, MA was 38.4. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 37, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Middlesex County, MA are getting getting younger. In 2016, the average age of all Middlesex County, MA residents was 39.

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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

    92,810 ± 7,429 people

  2. Dominican Republic

    90,391 ± 7,333 people

  3. Brazil

    80,753 ± 6,936 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 92,810 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 90,391 and Brazil with 80,753.

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Citizenship

88.7%

2017 Citizenship

89.2%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 88.7% of Middlesex County, MA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Middlesex County, MA was 89.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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 ± 3.64k

  2. Asian Alone

    193k ± 3.41k

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    129k ± 8.74k

In 2017, there were 5.98 times more White Alone residents (1.15M people) in Middlesex County, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 193k Asian Alone and 129k 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

    91,112 speakers (6.01%)

  2. Portuguese

    58,867 speakers (3.88%)

  3. Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)

    52,195 speakers (3.44%)

27.4% of Middlesex County, MA citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is higher than the national average of 21.8%. In 2017, the most common non-English language spoken in Middlesex County, MA was Spanish. 6.01% of the overall population of Middlesex County, MA are native Spanish speakers. 3.88% speak Portuguese and 3.44% speak Spanish, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    20,932 ± 1,928

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    9,218 ± 1,718

  3. Korea

    8,012 ± 1,211

Middlesex County, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.27 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Middlesex County, MA awarded 39,669 degrees. The student population of Middlesex County, MA is skewed towards women, with 61,652 male students and 68,938 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Middlesex County, MA are White (19,997 and 61.5%), followed by Asian (3,758 and 11.6%), Hispanic or Latino (3,175 and 9.76%), and Unknown (2,359 and 7.25%).

The largest universities in Middlesex County, MA by number of degrees awarded are Harvard University (7,908 and 19.9%), Boston College (4,791 and 12.1%), and University of Massachusetts-Lowell (4,119 and 10.4%).

The most popular majors in Middlesex County, MA are General Business Administration & Management (3,018 and 7.61%), General Business (1,111 and 2.8%), and Computer Science (1,099 and 2.77%).

The median tuition costs in Middlesex County, MA are $38,470 for private four year colleges, and $7,451 and $18,775 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. Computer Science

    743 degrees awarded

  2. General Psychology

    740 degrees awarded

  3. General Economics

    899 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Middlesex County, MA was Computer Science with 743 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

    7,908 degrees awarded

  2. Boston College

    4,791 degrees awarded

  3. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

    4,119 degrees awarded

$7,451

Median In-State Public

$38,470

Median Private

In 2016, the Middlesex County, MA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Harvard University with 7,908 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

17,877

Degrees Awarded to Men

21,792

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 17,877 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Middlesex County, MA, which is 0.82 times less than the 21,792 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

    19,997 degrees awarded

  2. Asian

    3,758 degrees awarded

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    3,175 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Middlesex County, MA were to White students. These 19,997 degrees mean that there were 5.32 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 3,758 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Middlesex County, MA was $511,700 in 2017, which is 2.35 times larger than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $477,500 to $511,700, a 7.16% increase. The homeownership rate in Middlesex County, MA is 62.7%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Middlesex County, MA have an average commute time of 29.1 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.

Income

Household Income

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

$98,555

Median Household Income

± $3,105

599k

Number of Households

± 12,101

In 2017, the median household income of the 599k households in Middlesex County, MA grew to $98,555 from the previous year's value of $95,249.

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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Housing

Property Value

$511,700

2017 Median

± $9,560

$477,500

2016 Median

± $4,494

In 2017, the median property value in Middlesex County, MA grew to to $511,700 from the previous year's value of $477,500.

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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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

62.7%

2017 Homeownership

61.8%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 62.7% of the housing units in Middlesex County, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 61.8%.

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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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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Commute Time

29.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Middlesex County, MA have a longer commute time (29.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 2.6% 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

    67.3%

  2. Public Transit

    12.1%

  3. Carpooled

    6.95%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Middlesex County, MA was Drove Alone (67.3%), followed by those who Public Transit (12.1%) and those who Carpooled (6.95%).

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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