Chelsea, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chelsea, Massachusetts had a total population of 39,908, the 38th largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $72,179, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.2% is notably above the national average.
Chelsea Quick Facts
How Chelsea 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 | 39,460 | 39,908 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $72,220 | $72,179 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $476,500 | $493,500 | +3.6% |
How Chelsea 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+)
Chelsea Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Suffolk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 666,442 | $97,344 | 16.6% | $731,700 |
| Revere | 60,012 | $86,969 | 11.6% | $597,400 |
| Winthrop Town | 18,759 | $116,167 | 7.2% | $649,600 |
Cities Similar to Chelsea
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitchburg | 41,798 | $73,040 | $336,400 | 25.1% | 15.6% |
| Amherst Town | 38,182 | $66,968 | $484,900 | 75.6% | 23.7% |
| Pittsfield | 43,457 | $70,582 | $256,900 | 34.2% | 14.9% |
| Westfield | 40,378 | $87,753 | $325,100 | 33.2% | 10.7% |
| Marlborough | 41,647 | $91,968 | $513,100 | 40.5% | 9.6% |
Population Overview
Chelsea is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Suffolk County. The total population is 39,908. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chelsea is 34.4 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chelsea is $72,179. This is 31% lower than the state median of $103,960. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 107% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.2%. This is 78% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $493,500. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 26.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 58% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chelsea is Hispanic or Latino, making up 67.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 17.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (17.7%) is well below the state average of 66.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (67.3% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
22.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 53% lower 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 70.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chelsea, 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.
Free data download: Get all Massachusetts city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chelsea, Massachusetts?
Chelsea, Massachusetts has a population of 39,908 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chelsea, MA?
The median household income in Chelsea is $72,179, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chelsea, MA?
The poverty rate in Chelsea is 20.8%. This means approximately 8,102 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chelsea, Massachusetts?
Chelsea's population is 17.7% White, 7.1% Black, 67.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chelsea, MA?
The median home value in Chelsea is $493,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.8x.
How educated is Chelsea, Massachusetts?
22.2% of adults (25+) in Chelsea hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.