Orleans, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Orleans, Massachusetts had a total population of 1,480, the 208th largest community in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $78,359, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.4x the median household income.
Orleans Quick Facts
How Orleans 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 | 1,618 | 1,480 | -8.5% |
| Median household income | $76,768 | $78,359 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $542,500 | $582,000 | +7.3% |
How Orleans 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+)
Orleans Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Barnstable County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | 49,568 | $91,982 | 7.4% | $602,500 |
| South Yarmouth | 11,552 | $82,188 | 11.6% | $541,700 |
| East Falmouth | 6,245 | $81,464 | 8.6% | $593,000 |
| West Yarmouth | 6,194 | $65,841 | 9.1% | $494,600 |
| Yarmouth Port | 5,961 | $110,304 | 7.7% | $604,900 |
| East Harwich | 5,654 | $111,508 | 1.7% | $638,900 |
| Sagamore | 4,072 | $108,315 | 2.5% | $575,700 |
| Falmouth | 3,954 | $68,227 | 21.8% | $837,900 |
| Northwest Harwich | 3,932 | $107,730 | 7.5% | $665,100 |
| East Sandwich | 3,864 | $115,000 | 11.5% | $689,000 |
Cities Similar to Orleans
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Brookfield | 1,563 | $76,625 | $313,700 | 28.8% | 13.4% |
| Lee | 1,511 | $70,724 | $300,500 | 38.4% | 11.3% |
| East Brookfield | 1,445 | $69,837 | $364,700 | 26.4% | 8.0% |
| Chatham | 1,600 | $83,750 | $1,866,800 | 60.7% | 14.2% |
| West Falmouth | 1,325 | $77,292 | $823,200 | 54.9% | 13.7% |
Population Overview
Orleans is a small community located in Massachusetts, within Barnstable County. The total population is 1,480. It ranks as the 208th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Orleans is 64.0 years. This is 60% higher than the state median of 40.0 years. Only 7.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 25.8% 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 Orleans is $78,359. This is 25% 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 14.1%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Orleans, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $582,000. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Orleans has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.7%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
51.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 96.9%. Notably, 21.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Orleans, 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 Orleans, Massachusetts?
Orleans, Massachusetts has a population of 1,480 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Orleans, MA?
The median household income in Orleans is $78,359, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Orleans, MA?
The poverty rate in Orleans is 14.1%. This means approximately 209 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Orleans, Massachusetts?
Orleans's population is 98.2% White, 0.7% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Orleans, MA?
The median home value in Orleans is $582,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.4x.
How educated is Orleans, Massachusetts?
51.0% of adults (25+) in Orleans hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.