Lowell, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lowell, Massachusetts had a total population of 118,368, the 5th largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $78,658, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Lowell is the 5th largest city in Massachusetts with a population of 118,368.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Massachusetts (diversity index: 72/100).
Lowell Quick Facts
How Lowell 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 | 114,799 | 118,368 | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $76,205 | $78,658 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $395,100 | $429,200 | +8.6% |
How Lowell 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lowell Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Middlesex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | 118,796 | $130,748 | 12.8% | $1,092,100 |
| Newton | 89,044 | $190,304 | 4.5% | $1,264,900 |
| Somerville | 81,036 | $132,572 | 9.8% | $911,300 |
| Framingham | 72,399 | $107,419 | 10.4% | $627,300 |
| Malden | 65,906 | $100,606 | 11.4% | $633,500 |
| Waltham | 64,902 | $120,216 | 9.4% | $748,700 |
| Medford | 59,354 | $129,540 | 7.6% | $755,500 |
| Everett | 50,045 | $85,218 | 14.7% | $610,000 |
| Arlington | 46,350 | $150,701 | 5.4% | $933,800 |
| Woburn | 41,939 | $111,185 | 7.9% | $673,500 |
Cities Similar to Lowell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brockton | 105,386 | $80,115 | $437,500 | 22.3% | 13.5% |
| Lynn | 101,709 | $75,043 | $510,100 | 24.1% | 13.8% |
| Cambridge | 118,796 | $130,748 | $1,092,100 | 80.8% | 12.8% |
| Quincy | 102,114 | $98,882 | $618,500 | 50.3% | 10.6% |
| New Bedford | 100,998 | $56,981 | $357,300 | 17.0% | 20.5% |
Population Overview
Lowell is a major urban center located in Massachusetts, within Middlesex County. The total population is 118,368. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lowell is 35.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lowell is $78,658. This is 24% lower than the state median of $103,960. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $429,200. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 43.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lowell is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 22.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (10.0% vs 6.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.0% vs 13.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (22.0% vs 7.2%).
Education
30.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 82.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lowell, 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 Lowell, Massachusetts?
Lowell, Massachusetts has a population of 118,368 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lowell, MA?
The median household income in Lowell is $78,658, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lowell, MA?
The poverty rate in Lowell is 16.9%. This means approximately 19,161 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lowell, Massachusetts?
Lowell's population is 42.3% White, 10.0% Black, 20.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 22.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lowell, MA?
The median home value in Lowell is $429,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Lowell, Massachusetts?
30.0% of adults (25+) in Lowell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.