Onset, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Onset, Massachusetts had a total population of 1,380, the 213th largest community in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $137,997, which is 33% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Massachusetts.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.8% — among the lowest in Massachusetts.
- Unemployment rate of 12.2% is notably above the national average.
Onset Quick Facts
How Onset 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 | 1,561 | 1,380 | -11.6% |
| Median home value | $415,500 | $408,300 | -1.7% |
How Onset 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Onset Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Plymouth County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brockton | 105,386 | $80,115 | 13.5% | $437,500 |
| Bridgewater Town | 28,471 | $112,651 | 4.8% | $533,100 |
| Abington | 17,053 | $125,400 | 5.2% | $539,600 |
| Hull | 10,138 | $115,485 | 5.8% | $646,000 |
| Middleborough Center | 8,155 | $97,616 | 8.8% | $424,900 |
| Plymouth | 7,918 | $81,703 | 10.0% | $446,800 |
| North Scituate | 6,492 | $140,329 | 2.9% | $824,800 |
| Kingston | 5,910 | $150,886 | 4.9% | $589,900 |
| Scituate | 5,796 | $124,549 | 3.4% | $821,600 |
| The Pinehills | 5,282 | $122,798 | 3.5% | $693,100 |
Cities Similar to Onset
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Center | 1,335 | $150,700 | $708,600 | 50.3% | 13.5% |
| West Chatham | 1,258 | N/A | $739,600 | 73.8% | 22.0% |
| Groton | 1,232 | $135,714 | $758,500 | 59.9% | 10.1% |
| South Ashburnham | 1,500 | $126,071 | $370,300 | 27.3% | 6.2% |
| Oak Bluffs | 1,184 | N/A | N/A | 35.8% | 3.7% |
Population Overview
Onset is a small community located in Massachusetts, within Plymouth County. The total population is 1,380. It ranks as the 213th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Onset is 34.4 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Onset is $137,997. This is 33% higher than the state median of $103,960. It is also 71% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.8%. This is 52% 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 12.2%. This is 137% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $408,300. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 89.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% higher than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Onset is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.7%.
Education
28.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 47.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Onset, 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 Onset, Massachusetts?
Onset, Massachusetts has a population of 1,380 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Onset, MA?
The median household income in Onset is $137,997, which is 71% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Onset, MA?
The poverty rate in Onset is 4.8%. This means approximately 66 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Onset, Massachusetts?
Onset's population is 69.1% White, 0.0% Black, 19.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Onset, MA?
The median home value in Onset is $408,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Onset, Massachusetts?
28.6% of adults (25+) in Onset hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.