Somerville, MA

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

81,036

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

31.9

1.24% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

9.81%

3.38% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$132,572

4.34% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$911,300

1.32% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

56,597

0.794% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Somerville, MA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

86.3% of the residents in Somerville, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Somerville, MA are Lincoln Technical Institute-Somerville (272 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Somerville, MA was $911,300, and the homeownership rate was 34.2%.

Most people in Somerville, MA worked at home, and the average commute time was 31 minutes. The average car ownership in Somerville, MA was 1 car per household.

Photo by Eric Kilby

United States Massachusetts Middlesex County, MA Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Middlesex County (East)--Malden & Medford PUMA, MA Middlesex County (East)--Somerville & Everett PUMA, MA Middlesex County (East)--Cambridge PUMA, MA Middlesex County--Watertown, Arlington & Belmont PUMA, MA Boston City--Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, East Boston, Central & South End PUMA, MA

Population & Diversity

Somerville, MA is home to a population of 81k people, from which 86.3% are citizens. As of 2024, 24.1% of Somerville, MA residents were born outside of the country (19.6k people).

In 2024, there were 5.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (53.1k people) in Somerville, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 9.33k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 3.59k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

86.3%

2024 Citizenship

85.7%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 86.3% of Somerville, MA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Somerville, MA was 85.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Somerville, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
53.1k ± 1.62k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
9.33k ± 1.05k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
3.59k ± 631

11.4%

Hispanic Population

9.25k people

11.4% of the people in Somerville, MA are hispanic (9.25k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Somerville, MA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Brazil
108,593 ± 8,028 people
Dominican Republic
106,391 ± 7,947 people
China
103,416 ± 7,837 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was Brazil, the natal country of 108,593 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 106,391 and China with 103,416.

Foreign-Born Population

24.1%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

19.6k people

25%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

20.1k people

As of 2024, 24.1% of Somerville, MA residents (19.6k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Somerville, MA was 25%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
332 ± 125
Gulf War (2001-)
277 ± 128
Gulf War (1990s)
190 ± 113

Somerville, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.2 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Somerville, MA.

Health

98.1% of the population of Somerville, MA has health coverage, with 67.7% on employee plans, 13.6% on Medicaid, 5.87% on Medicare, 10.7% on non-group plans, and 0.18% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Massachusetts see 990 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (990 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 915 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 130 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.9% were men and 51.1% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 11% under 18 years, 47% between 18 and 34 years, 32% between 35 and 64 years, and 9.96% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.9% were men and 51.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

1.94%

Uninsured

67.7%

Employer Coverage

13.6%

Medicaid

5.87%

Medicare

10.7%

Non-Group

0.18%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Somerville, MA declined by 6.05% from 2.07% to 1.94%.

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

Economy

The economy of Somerville, MA employs 56.6k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Somerville, MA were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (13,638 people), Educational Services (10,117 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (6,327 people), and the highest paying industries were Manufacturing ($102,742), Finance & Insurance ($100,900), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($100,805).

Employment

Occupations

56.6k

2024 Value

± 1,936

0.794%

1 Year growth

± 4.83%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Somerville, MA grew at a rate of 0.794%, from 56.2k employees to 56.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Somerville, MA, are Management Occupations (8,675 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (6,103 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (5,323 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Somerville, MA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Massachusetts (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

56.6k

2024 Value

± 1,936

0.794%

1 Year growth

± 4.83%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Somerville, MA grew at a rate of 0.794%, from 56.2k employees to 56.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Somerville, MA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (13,638 people), Educational Services (10,117 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (6,327 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Somerville, MA, though some of these residents may live in Somerville, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$84,269

Median earning men ± $3,187

$68,338

Median earning women ± $4,041

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Manufacturing ($105,000), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($104,125), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($93,417).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Manufacturing ($98,995), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($85,496), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($85,268).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.61%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.67M people employed in Massachusetts. This represents a 2.61% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 17.5%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Massachusetts.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Kamala Harris with 61.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36%), followed by Other (1.48%).

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing the state of Massachusetts. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Somerville, MA. Showing the available data for Massachusetts.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (61.2%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (36%)
Republican Party
Other (1.48%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Kamala Harris with 61.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36%), followed by Other (1.48%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Massachusetts for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Massachusetts

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Elizabeth Warren

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ed Markey

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on July 16, 2013
Elected to the seat to succeed Mo Cowan, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of John Kerry, who had become Secretary of State.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/massachusetts-special-senate-election.html |title=Democrat Wins Special Election for Kerry's Senate Seat |work=The New York Times |date=June 25, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2020 |last1=Seelye |first1=Katharine Q. }}

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing Massachusetts.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Massachusetts over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Somerville, MA awarded 272 degrees. The student population of Somerville, MA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 4 male students and 23 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Somerville, MA are Unknown (171 and 62.9%), Hispanic or Latino (46 and 16.9%), Black or African American (32 and 11.8%), and White (16 and 5.88%).

The largest universities in Somerville, MA by number of degrees awarded are Lincoln Technical Institute-Somerville (272 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Somerville, MA are Medical Assistant (189 and 69.5%), Dental Assisting (43 and 15.8%), and Massage Therapy (40 and 14.7%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 27 students enrolled in Somerville, MA, 14.8% men and 85.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 9 records, of which 88.9% were women and 11.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Medical Assistant
189 degrees awarded
Dental Assisting
43 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Somerville, MA was Medical Assistant with 189 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Somerville, MA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Lincoln Technical Institute-Somerville

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

272 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Lincoln Technical Institute-Somerville with 272 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2023, 29 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Somerville, MA, which is 0.119 times less than the 243 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Unknown students. These 171 degrees mean that there were 3.72 times more degrees awarded to Unknown students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 46 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Somerville, MA was $911,300 in 2024, which is 2.74 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $899,400 to $911,300, a 1.32% increase. The homeownership rate in Somerville, MA is 34.2%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Somerville, MA have an average commute time of 31 minutes, and they worked at home. Car ownership in Somerville, MA is lower than the national average, with an average of 1 car per household.

Housing

Property

$911,300

Median Property Value 2024

±$25,952

$12,232

Median Property Taxes

±$861

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Somerville, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Somerville, MA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

34.2%

Homeownership

2024

58.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 34.2% of the housing units in Somerville, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 34.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Somerville, MA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

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

$132,572

Median Household Income

± $6,106

35.7k

Number of Households

± 1,411

In 2024, the median household income of the 35.7k households in Somerville, MA grew to $132,572 from the previous year's value of $127,056.

The following chart displays the households in Somerville, 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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.477

2024 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.478

2023 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2024, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.477 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.306% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.474. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Worked At Home (31.3%)
Drove Alone (29.9%)
Public Transit (19.3%)

In 2024, 31.3% of workers in Somerville, MA worked at home, followed by those who drove alone to work (29.9%) and those who used public transit to get to work (19.3%).

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.

Commute Time

31 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Somerville, MA have a longer commute time (31 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.42% of the workforce in Somerville, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

1 car

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

9.81% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Somerville, MA (7.68k out of 78.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Somerville, MA is White, followed by Black 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.