Brookline, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brookline, Massachusetts had a total population of 63,266, the 18th largest community in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $142,101, which is 37% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Massachusetts.
- 85.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Massachusetts.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.8x the median household income.
Brookline Quick Facts
How Brookline 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 | 62,822 | 63,266 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $140,631 | $142,101 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $1,233,100 | $1,246,800 | +1.1% |
How Brookline 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+)
Brookline Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Norfolk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quincy | 102,114 | $98,882 | 10.6% | $618,500 |
| Weymouth Town | 58,505 | $102,714 | 7.7% | $552,100 |
| Braintree Town | 38,899 | $122,214 | 5.9% | $656,800 |
| Randolph Town | 34,878 | $109,573 | 8.4% | $496,400 |
| Franklin Town | 33,154 | $145,773 | 5.9% | $611,700 |
| Needham | 32,459 | $214,308 | 3.7% | $1,188,500 |
| Norwood | 31,542 | $107,030 | 8.8% | $651,700 |
| Wellesley | 30,347 | $250,000+ | 4.0% | $1,582,700 |
| Milton | 28,587 | $188,529 | 4.7% | $933,200 |
| Dedham | 25,237 | $128,955 | 5.6% | $661,800 |
Cities Similar to Brookline
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waltham | 64,902 | $120,216 | $748,700 | 57.3% | 9.4% |
| Medford | 59,354 | $129,540 | $755,500 | 59.8% | 7.6% |
| Malden | 65,906 | $100,606 | $633,500 | 45.1% | 11.4% |
| Weymouth Town | 58,505 | $102,714 | $552,100 | 42.8% | 7.7% |
| Framingham | 72,399 | $107,419 | $627,300 | 48.7% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Brookline is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Norfolk County. The total population is 63,266. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brookline is 35.2 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brookline is $142,101. This is 37% higher than the state median of $103,960. It is also 76% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $1,246,800. Housing costs are 122% higher than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 46.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brookline is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.1% of the population. Asian residents account for 19.3%. The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.2%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (19.3% vs 7.2%).
Education
85.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Brookline in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 81% 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 97.6%. Notably, 57.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brookline, 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 Brookline, Massachusetts?
Brookline, Massachusetts has a population of 63,266 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brookline, MA?
The median household income in Brookline is $142,101, which is 76% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brookline, MA?
The poverty rate in Brookline is 8.7%. This means approximately 5,431 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brookline, Massachusetts?
Brookline's population is 64.1% White, 3.0% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 19.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brookline, MA?
The median home value in Brookline is $1,246,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.8x.
How educated is Brookline, Massachusetts?
85.4% of adults (25+) in Brookline hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 57.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.