Melrose, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Melrose, Massachusetts had a total population of 29,650, the 52nd largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $133,953, which is 29% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.8% — among the lowest in Massachusetts.
Melrose Quick Facts
How Melrose 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 | 29,488 | 29,650 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $126,854 | $133,953 | +5.6% |
| Median home value | $796,100 | $822,900 | +3.4% |
How Melrose 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+)
Melrose 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 |
| Lowell | 118,368 | $78,658 | 16.9% | $429,200 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Melrose
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield | 27,793 | $134,306 | $723,500 | 59.7% | 4.9% |
| Danvers | 28,098 | $125,395 | $644,200 | 48.4% | 4.8% |
| Bridgewater Town | 28,471 | $112,651 | $533,100 | 39.6% | 4.8% |
| North Attleborough Town | 30,984 | $112,665 | $482,200 | 46.4% | 4.7% |
| Franklin Town | 33,154 | $145,773 | $611,700 | 58.1% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Melrose is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Middlesex County. The total population is 29,650. It ranks as the 52nd most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Melrose is 43.6 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 40.0 years. 11.0% 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 Melrose is $133,953. This is 29% higher than the state median of $103,960. It is also 66% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.8%. This is 62% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $822,900. Housing costs are 46% higher than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 67.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Melrose is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 11.0%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (11.0% vs 7.2%).
Education
62.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% higher 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 95.3%. Notably, 28.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Melrose, 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.
Free data download: Get all Massachusetts city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Melrose, Massachusetts?
Melrose, Massachusetts has a population of 29,650 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Melrose, MA?
The median household income in Melrose is $133,953, which is 66% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Melrose, MA?
The poverty rate in Melrose is 3.8%. This means approximately 1,115 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Melrose, Massachusetts?
Melrose's population is 76.9% White, 1.6% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Melrose, MA?
The median home value in Melrose is $822,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.1x.
How educated is Melrose, Massachusetts?
62.0% of adults (25+) in Melrose hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 28.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.