Suffolk County, Massachusetts Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Suffolk County is located in Massachusetts with a total population of 782,172. It is the 4th most populous county out of 14 in Massachusetts. The county encompasses 4 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Suffolk County is 33.8 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Suffolk County is $92,859. This is 8% lower than the state median of $101,341. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 18% higher. The poverty rate stands at 16.5%. This is 65% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $680,700. Housing costs are 29% higher than the state median of $525,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 36.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Suffolk County is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (17.9% vs 6.5%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.8% vs 12.9%).

Education

49.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% higher 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 87.6%. Notably, 23.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.