Wakefield, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wakefield, Massachusetts had a total population of 27,793, the 59th largest community in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $134,306, which is 29% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.9%.
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 4.9% — among the lowest in Massachusetts.
Wakefield Quick Facts
How Wakefield 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 | 27,284 | 27,793 | +1.9% |
| Median household income | $130,320 | $134,306 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $670,100 | $723,500 | +8.0% |
How Wakefield 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+)
Wakefield 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 Wakefield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danvers | 28,098 | $125,395 | $644,200 | 48.4% | 4.8% |
| Melrose | 29,650 | $133,953 | $822,900 | 62.0% | 3.8% |
| Burlington | 26,274 | $146,436 | $740,600 | 58.4% | 5.9% |
| Bridgewater Town | 28,471 | $112,651 | $533,100 | 39.6% | 4.8% |
| Dedham | 25,237 | $128,955 | $661,800 | 55.0% | 5.6% |
Population Overview
Wakefield is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Middlesex County. The total population is 27,793. It ranks as the 59th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wakefield is 42.4 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wakefield is $134,306. 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 4.9%. This is 51% 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 4.4%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $723,500. Housing costs are 29% higher than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 70.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wakefield has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.5% of all residents. Asian residents account for 5.7%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 13.3%.
Education
59.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 96.4%. Notably, 24.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wakefield, 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 Wakefield, Massachusetts?
Wakefield, Massachusetts has a population of 27,793 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wakefield, MA?
The median household income in Wakefield is $134,306, which is 66% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wakefield, MA?
The poverty rate in Wakefield is 4.9%. This means approximately 1,341 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wakefield, Massachusetts?
Wakefield's population is 85.5% White, 0.7% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wakefield, MA?
The median home value in Wakefield is $723,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.
How educated is Wakefield, Massachusetts?
59.7% of adults (25+) in Wakefield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 24.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.