Dukes County, Massachusetts Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Dukes County is located in Massachusetts with a total population of 20,751. It is the 13th most populous county out of 14 in Massachusetts.

Age Demographics

The median age in Dukes County is 50.4 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 40.0 years. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Dukes County is $102,348. This is about average than the state median of $101,341. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% higher. The poverty rate stands at 5.4%. This is 46% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $1,104,100. Housing costs are 110% higher than the state median of $525,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 74.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Dukes County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 3.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 12.9%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.

Education

49.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 46.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.3%. Notably, 22.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.