Townsend, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Townsend, Massachusetts had a total population of 987, the 227th largest community in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $58,571, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Townsend Quick Facts
How Townsend 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 | 1,082 | 987 | -8.8% |
| Median household income | $56,726 | $58,571 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $344,400 | $344,800 | +0.1% |
How Townsend 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+)
Townsend 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 Townsend
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woods Hole | 988 | $71,724 | $877,500 | 80.4% | 5.4% |
| Housatonic | 1,113 | N/A | $437,000 | 52.3% | 16.8% |
| Millers Falls | 1,054 | $68,750 | $254,200 | 19.0% | 13.6% |
| Northfield | 1,070 | $68,333 | $300,500 | 43.5% | 10.1% |
| Oak Bluffs | 1,184 | N/A | N/A | 35.8% | 3.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 987, Townsend's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Townsend is a small community located in Massachusetts, within Middlesex County. The total population is 987. It ranks as the 227th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Townsend is 44.1 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Townsend is $58,571. This is 44% lower than the state median of $103,960. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 59% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $344,800. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 53.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Townsend is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.7%. The Asian population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
31.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Townsend, 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 Townsend, Massachusetts?
Townsend, Massachusetts has a population of 987 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Townsend, MA?
The median household income in Townsend is $58,571, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Townsend, MA?
The poverty rate in Townsend is 16.0%. This means approximately 156 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Townsend, Massachusetts?
Townsend's population is 75.7% White, 4.6% Black, 7.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Townsend, MA?
The median home value in Townsend is $344,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Townsend, Massachusetts?
31.3% of adults (25+) in Townsend hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.