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Lowell city, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026

5th Largest5th most populous city in Massachusetts
Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

As of 2026, Lowell city, Massachusetts has a total population of 114,799, the 5th largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $76,205, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.

Key Takeaways

Lowell city Quick Facts

Population 114,799
Median Household Income $76,205
Median Home Value $395,100
Poverty Rate 16.0%
Unemployment Rate 5.4%
Median Age 35.5 years
Homeownership Rate 44.0%
Affordability Ratio 5.2x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 29.9%
High School Graduation Rate 83.3%
Diversity Index 71/100
Population 114,799 5th of 248
Median Income $76,205 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 16.0% 29% higher national
Median Home Value $395,100 bottom 30%

How Lowell city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

5.4% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1% | National: 5.2%
67.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 44.0%
Renter 56.0%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.2x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

71out of 100
Very High Diversity

This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.

State average: 51 | National average: 60

Education

Lowell city Rankings in Massachusetts

#5 Population of 248
#174 Median Income of 248
#203 Education of 248
#175 Home Value of 248

Other Cities in Middlesex County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Cambridge city 117,794 $126,469 12.4% $1,040,500
Newton city 88,504 $184,989 4.7% $1,202,500
Somerville city 80,549 $127,056 10.2% $899,400
Framingham city 72,013 $98,179 11.0% $600,600
Malden city 65,509 $95,298 13.3% $607,500
Waltham city 64,723 $116,560 8.6% $705,700
Medford city 59,062 $118,089 8.2% $715,500
Everett city 49,236 $79,658 15.4% $605,200
Marlborough city 41,398 $95,047 9.2% $485,400
Woburn city 41,205 $107,754 7.8% $641,800

Cities Similar to Lowell city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Brockton city105,080$77,089$405,50021.3%13.9%
Lynn city100,905$74,715$472,60023.3%13.7%
Quincy city101,361$95,711$598,10048.6%11.4%
Cambridge city117,794$126,469$1,040,50080.2%12.4%
New Bedford city100,731$56,025$324,40016.8%19.9%

Population Overview

Lowell city is a major urban center located in Massachusetts, within Middlesex County. The total population is 114,799. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 248 cities and towns in Massachusetts.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lowell city is 35.5 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lowell city is $76,205. This is 25% lower than the state median of $101,341. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 3% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 60% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $395,100. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $525,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 44.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Lowell city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 21.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (10.1% vs 6.5%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (21.0% vs 7.0%).

Education

29.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 83.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Lowell 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 Lowell city, Massachusetts?

Lowell city, Massachusetts has a population of 114,799 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Lowell city, MA?

The median household income in Lowell city is $76,205, which is 3% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Lowell city, MA?

The poverty rate in Lowell city is 16.0%. This means approximately 17,621 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Lowell city, Massachusetts?

Lowell city's population is 44.2% White, 10.1% Black, 19.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 21.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Lowell city, MA?

The median home value in Lowell city is $395,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.

How educated is Lowell city, Massachusetts?

29.9% of adults (25+) in Lowell city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.