Somerville, MA

Census Place

Add Comparison

2019 Population

80,906

0.587% 1-year growth

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2019 Median Age

31.3

0.321% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

11.5%

3.85% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$97,328

6.76% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$664,700

7.89% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

55,369

1.92% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Somerville, MA had a population of 80.9k people with a median age of 31.3 and a median household income of $97,328. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Somerville, MA grew from 80,434 to 80,906, a 0.587% increase and its median household income grew from $91,168 to $97,328, a 6.76% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Somerville, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (68.2%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (10.2%), White (Hispanic) (7.56%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (5.6%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.62%). 0% of the households in Somerville, MA speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

84.7% of the residents in Somerville, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Somerville, MA are Lincoln Technical Institute-Somerville (179 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2019, the median property value in Somerville, MA was $664,700, and the homeownership rate was 33.6%. Most people in Somerville, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 31.1 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 Watertown Town City, Arlington, Belmont & Winchester Towns PUMA, MA Somerville & Everett Cities PUMA, MA Malden & Medford Cities PUMA, MA

Diversity

Somerville, MA is home to a population of 80.9k people, from which 84.7% are citizens. As of 2019, 25.2% of Somerville, MA residents were born outside of the country (20.4k people).

In 2019, there were 6.69 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (55.2k people) in Somerville, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 8.25k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 6.11k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Somerville, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
55.2k ± 1.31k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
8.25k ± 930
White (Hispanic)
6.11k ± 1.15k

12.4%

Hispanic Population

10k people

12.4% of the people in Somerville, MA are hispanic (10k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Somerville, MA as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

25.2%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

20.4k people

24.4%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

19.6k people

As of 2019, 25.2% of Somerville, MA residents (20.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Somerville, MA was 24.4%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.4

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1

In 2019, the median age of all people in Somerville, MA was 31.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 30, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 38. But people in Somerville, MA are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Somerville, MA residents was 31.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

China
96,127 ± 7,558 people
Dominican Republic
89,373 ± 7,292 people
Brazil
77,815 ± 6,810 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 96,127 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 89,373 and Brazil with 77,815.

Citizenship

84.7%

2019 Citizenship

86%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 84.7% of Somerville, MA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Somerville, MA was 86%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
399 ± 138
Gulf War (2001-)
351 ± 152
Korea
192 ± 100

Somerville, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.14 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Massachusetts. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Massachusetts, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

View Full Dashboard

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.

View Full Dashboard

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Massachusetts. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

View Full Dashboard

Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Massachusetts across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

View Full Dashboard

Economy

Median household income in Somerville, MA is $97,328. In 2019, the place with the highest median household income in Somerville, MA was Census Tract 3508 with a value of $150,192, followed by Census Tract 3506 and Census Tract 3509, with respective values of $141,169 and $138,958.

Males in Massachusetts have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $67,290. The income inequality in Massachusetts (measured using the Gini index) is 0.483, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of Somerville, MA employs 55.4k people. The largest industries in Somerville, MA are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (11,032 people), Educational Services (9,871 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (7,468 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($175,089), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($87,813), and Utilities ($84,018).

Wages

Median Household Income

$97,328

2019 value

± $3,901

6.76%

1 Year Growth

± 6.43%

Households in Somerville, MA have a median annual income of $97,328, which is more than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $91,168 in 2018, which represents a 6.76% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Somerville, MA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$89,585

Average Male Salary in Massachusetts

± $1,887

$67,290

Average Female Salary in Massachusetts

± $1,359

In 2019, full-time male employees in Massachusetts made 1.33 times more than female employees.

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

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Massachusetts

Asian
$75,473 ± $4,254
White
$69,510 ± $1,187
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$57,778 ± $35,604

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Massachusetts workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.09 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Massachusetts.

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

Wage Distribution

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

0.483

2019 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.485

2018 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2019, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.483 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.424% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 3508
Census Tract 3506
Census Tract 3509

In 2019, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Somerville, MA was Census Tract 3508 with a value of $150,192, followed by Census Tract 3506 and Census Tract 3509, with respective values of $141,169 and $138,958.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

11.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Somerville, MA (8.98k out of 78.2k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 25 - 34 and then Females 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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
5,460 ± 616
Hispanic
1,793 ± 429
Black
1,558 ± 403

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

55.4k

2019 Value

± 1,661

1.92%

1 Year growth

± 4.18%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Somerville, MA grew at a rate of 1.92%, from 54.3k employees to 55.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Somerville, MA, are Management Occupations (6,745 people), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (5,829 people), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations (4,867 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Somerville, MA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Somerville, MA, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (6,745 people), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (5,829 people), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations (4,867 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Somerville, MA has an unusually high number of residents working as Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (6 times higher than expected), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (2.79 times), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations (2.6 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Somerville, MA, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($95,721), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($81,827), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($81,445).

Industries

Employment by Industries

55.4k

2019 Value

± 1,661

1.92%

1 Year growth

± 4.18%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Somerville, MA grew at a rate of 1.92%, from 54.3k employees to 55.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Somerville, MA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (11,032 people), Educational Services (9,871 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (7,468 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.

Most Common

The most common industries in Somerville, MA, by number of employees, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (11,032 people), Educational Services (9,871 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (7,468 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Somerville, MA has an unusually high number of Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (2.75 times higher than expected), Information (1.99 times), and Educational Services (1.92 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Somerville, MA, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($175,089), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($87,813), and Utilities ($84,018).

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

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $37.4B, followed by Electronics ($29.6B) and Mixed freight ($28.4B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts.

$314B

2020 Value in Massachusetts

$627B

Projected 2050 Value in Massachusetts

99.9% growth

In 2020, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $314B. This is expected to increase 99.9% to $627B by 2050.

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

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

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $31B, followed by New Hampshire with $23.4B and Connecticut and $14.9B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 65.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.29%). The most partisan county was Suffolk County, MA with 80.2% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

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 Popular Vote Over Time

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

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (65.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (31.9%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.29%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 65.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.29%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Massachusetts for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Massachusetts.

Joseph R Biden Jr.

Popular Vote for Massachusetts

65.1% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Massachusetts

Suffolk County, MA
80.2% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Dukes County, MA
77% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Berkshire County, MA
72% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Massachusetts was Suffolk County, MA with 80.2% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Massachusetts colored by their party leaning.

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.

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.

US Representatives from Massachusetts

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Massachusetts have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Somerville, MA awarded 179 degrees. The student population of Somerville, MA is skewed towards women, with 34 male students and 424 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Somerville, MA are Hispanic or Latino (93 and 52%), followed by Black or African American (32 and 17.9%), White (27 and 15.1%), and Two or More Races (11 and 6.15%).

The largest universities in Somerville, MA by number of degrees awarded are Lincoln Technical Institute-Somerville (179 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Somerville, MA are Medical Assistant (121 and 67.6%), Dental Assisting (46 and 25.7%), and Medical Office Assistant (6 and 3.35%).

Concentrations

Most Common

Medical Assistant
121 degree-majorss awarded
Dental Assisting
46 degree-majorss awarded
Medical Office Assistant
6 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Somerville, MA was Medical Assistant with 121 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

Lincoln Technical Institute-Somerville

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

179 degrees awarded

In 2020, the Somerville, MA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Lincoln Technical Institute-Somerville with 179 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

Degrees Awarded to Men

171

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 8 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Somerville, MA, which is 0.0468 times less than the 171 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Somerville, MA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
93 degrees awarded
Black or African American
32 degrees awarded
White
27 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Somerville, MA was Hispanic or Latino students. These 93 degrees mean that there were 2.91 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 32 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Somerville, MA was $664,700 in 2019, which is 2.76 times larger than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $616,100 to $664,700, a 7.89% increase. The homeownership rate in Somerville, MA is 33.6%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Somerville, MA have an average commute time of 31.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Somerville, MA is lower than the national average, with an average of 1 car per household.

Housing

Property Value

$664,700

2019 Median

± $19,659

$616,100

2018 Median

± $14,894

In 2019, the median property value in Somerville, MA grew to to $664,700 from the previous year's value of $616,100.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Somerville, 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 Somerville, MA the largest share of households have a property value in the $500k - $750k range.

Household Income

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

$97,328

Median Household Income

± $3,901

32.8k

Number of Households

± 1,166

In 2019, the median household income of the 32.8k households in Somerville, MA grew to $97,328 from the previous year's value of $91,168.

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.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Somerville, MA 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.

Rent vs Own

33.6%

2019 Homeownership

33.6%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 33.6% of the housing units in Somerville, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 33.6%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Somerville, MA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

31.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Somerville, MA have a longer commute time (31.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.64% 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.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (36.8%)
Public Transit (33.6%)
Walked (11.3%)

In 2019, 36.8% of workers in Somerville, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who used public transit to get to work (33.6%) and those who walked to work (11.3%).

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.

Transportation

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, followed by false.

Health

96.9% of the population of Somerville, MA has health coverage, with 64.2% on employee plans, 16.6% on Medicaid, 6.18% on Medicare, 9.74% on non-group plans, and 0.24% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Massachusetts 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 793 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.627% decrease from the previous year (798 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 980 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 166 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Plymouth County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (11.1%). Additionally, Hampden County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (30.5%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Middlesex County, MA.

793 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Middlesex County, MA

Primary care physicians in Middlesex County, MA see an average of 793 patients per year. This represents a 0.627% decrease from the previous year (798 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 its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
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.

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 in Massachusetts

$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.

Health Care Coverage

3.11%

Uninsured

64.2%

Employer Coverage

16.6%

Medicaid

6.18%

Medicare

9.74%

Non-Group

0.24%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Somerville, MA declined by 1.41% from 3.15% to 3.11%.

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.