Arlington, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Arlington, Massachusetts had a total population of 46,350, the 29th largest community in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $150,701, which is 45% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Massachusetts.
- 76.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Massachusetts.
Arlington Quick Facts
How Arlington Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,015 | 46,350 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $141,440 | $150,701 | +6.5% |
| Median home value | $885,000 | $933,800 | +5.5% |
How Arlington Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Arlington Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Middlesex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | 118,796 | $130,748 | 12.8% | $1,092,100 |
| Lowell | 118,368 | $78,658 | 16.9% | $429,200 |
| Newton | 89,044 | $190,304 | 4.5% | $1,264,900 |
| Somerville | 81,036 | $132,572 | 9.8% | $911,300 |
| Framingham | 72,399 | $107,419 | 10.4% | $627,300 |
| Malden | 65,906 | $100,606 | 11.4% | $633,500 |
| Waltham | 64,902 | $120,216 | 9.4% | $748,700 |
| Medford | 59,354 | $129,540 | 7.6% | $755,500 |
| Everett | 50,045 | $85,218 | 14.7% | $610,000 |
| Woburn | 41,939 | $111,185 | 7.9% | $673,500 |
Cities Similar to Arlington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attleboro | 46,762 | $98,954 | $448,100 | 34.0% | 8.6% |
| Woburn | 41,939 | $111,185 | $673,500 | 46.5% | 7.9% |
| Beverly | 42,665 | $106,044 | $650,300 | 53.4% | 9.4% |
| Braintree Town | 38,899 | $122,214 | $656,800 | 47.5% | 5.9% |
| Methuen | 53,475 | $113,310 | $499,700 | 31.0% | 7.8% |
Population Overview
Arlington is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Middlesex County. The total population is 46,350. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Arlington is 41.6 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Arlington is $150,701. This is 45% higher than the state median of $103,960. It is also 87% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.4%. This is 46% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $933,800. Housing costs are 66% higher than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 61.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Arlington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 13.0%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (13.0% vs 7.2%).
Education
76.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Arlington in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 47.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.0%. Notably, 46.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Arlington, Massachusetts is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Massachusetts state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Arlington, Massachusetts?
Arlington, Massachusetts has a population of 46,350 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Arlington, MA?
The median household income in Arlington is $150,701, which is 87% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Arlington, MA?
The poverty rate in Arlington is 5.4%. This means approximately 2,477 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Arlington, Massachusetts?
Arlington's population is 73.8% White, 1.9% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 13.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Arlington, MA?
The median home value in Arlington is $933,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Arlington, Massachusetts?
76.1% of adults (25+) in Arlington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 46.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.