Lawrence, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lawrence, Massachusetts had a total population of 88,736, the 12th largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $60,433, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.5% is notably above the national average.
Lawrence Quick Facts
How Lawrence 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 | 88,297 | 88,736 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $57,903 | $60,433 | +4.4% |
| Median home value | $393,500 | $415,200 | +5.5% |
How Lawrence 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lawrence Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Essex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynn | 101,709 | $75,043 | 13.8% | $510,100 |
| Haverhill | 67,698 | $88,326 | 11.3% | $453,900 |
| Peabody | 54,695 | $96,657 | 7.6% | $596,200 |
| Salem | 44,795 | $85,153 | 12.1% | $542,800 |
| Beverly | 42,665 | $106,044 | 9.4% | $650,300 |
| Gloucester | 30,075 | $83,883 | 9.6% | $600,600 |
| Saugus | 28,773 | $101,539 | 6.0% | $603,400 |
| Danvers | 28,098 | $125,395 | 4.8% | $644,200 |
| Marblehead | 20,413 | $182,132 | 4.4% | $943,900 |
| Newburyport | 18,652 | $139,625 | 5.0% | $834,000 |
Cities Similar to Lawrence
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall River | 94,082 | $56,673 | $395,500 | 16.4% | 19.6% |
| New Bedford | 100,998 | $56,981 | $357,300 | 17.0% | 20.5% |
| Lynn | 101,709 | $75,043 | $510,100 | 24.1% | 13.8% |
| Brockton | 105,386 | $80,115 | $437,500 | 22.3% | 13.5% |
| Quincy | 102,114 | $98,882 | $618,500 | 50.3% | 10.6% |
Population Overview
Lawrence is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Essex County. The total population is 88,736. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lawrence 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 is $60,433. This is 42% lower than the state median of $103,960. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 75% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.5%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $415,200. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 28.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 55% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lawrence is Hispanic or Latino, making up 83.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 11.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (11.6%) is well below the state average of 66.6%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (83.2% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
16.8% 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 64% 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 72.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lawrence, 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 Lawrence, Massachusetts?
Lawrence, Massachusetts has a population of 88,736 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lawrence, MA?
The median household income in Lawrence is $60,433, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lawrence, MA?
The poverty rate in Lawrence is 17.6%. This means approximately 15,466 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lawrence, Massachusetts?
Lawrence's population is 11.6% White, 2.0% Black, 83.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lawrence, MA?
The median home value in Lawrence is $415,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.9x.
How educated is Lawrence, Massachusetts?
16.8% of adults (25+) in Lawrence hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.