Lawrence city, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Lawrence city, Massachusetts has a total population of 88,297, the 12th largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $57,903, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Lawrence city Quick Facts
How Lawrence city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lawrence city Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Essex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynn city | 100,905 | $74,715 | 13.7% | $472,600 |
| Haverhill city | 67,387 | $87,675 | 10.6% | $426,900 |
| Peabody city | 54,180 | $95,278 | 6.5% | $566,200 |
| Methuen Town city | 53,043 | $103,270 | 8.2% | $472,200 |
| Salem city | 44,241 | $85,137 | 13.7% | $497,400 |
| Beverly city | 42,408 | $103,739 | 10.0% | $621,900 |
| Gloucester city | 29,862 | $87,898 | 10.7% | $587,800 |
| Newburyport city | 18,444 | $144,259 | 5.1% | $792,400 |
| Amesbury Town city | 17,277 | $100,599 | 7.0% | $475,400 |
Cities Similar to Lawrence city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall River city | 93,764 | $53,933 | $357,800 | 16.8% | 20.9% |
| New Bedford city | 100,731 | $56,025 | $324,400 | 16.8% | 19.9% |
| Lynn city | 100,905 | $74,715 | $472,600 | 23.3% | 13.7% |
| Brockton city | 105,080 | $77,089 | $405,500 | 21.3% | 13.9% |
| Quincy city | 101,361 | $95,711 | $598,100 | 48.6% | 11.4% |
Population Overview
Lawrence city is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Essex County. The total population is 88,297. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 248 cities and towns in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lawrence city is 32.6 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lawrence city is $57,903. This is 43% lower than the state median of $101,341. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 26% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.2%. This is 82% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.7%. This is 69% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $393,500. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $525,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 30.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 52% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lawrence city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 82.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 12.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (12.6%) is well below the state average of 67.8%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 6.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (82.3% vs 12.9%). The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
16.4% 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 65% lower 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 72.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lawrence city, Massachusetts is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lawrence city, Massachusetts?
Lawrence city, Massachusetts has a population of 88,297 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lawrence city, MA?
The median household income in Lawrence city is $57,903, which is 26% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Lawrence city, MA?
The poverty rate in Lawrence city is 18.2%. This means approximately 15,881 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lawrence city, Massachusetts?
Lawrence city's population is 12.6% White, 2.1% Black, 82.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lawrence city, MA?
The median home value in Lawrence city is $393,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.8x.
How educated is Lawrence city, Massachusetts?
16.4% of adults (25+) in Lawrence city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.