Waltham, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waltham, Massachusetts had a total population of 64,902, the 17th largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $120,216, which is 16% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Waltham Quick Facts
How Waltham 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 | 64,723 | 64,902 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $116,560 | $120,216 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $705,700 | $748,700 | +6.1% |
How Waltham 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waltham 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 |
| 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 |
| Woburn | 41,939 | $111,185 | 7.9% | $673,500 |
Cities Similar to Waltham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malden | 65,906 | $100,606 | $633,500 | 45.1% | 11.4% |
| Brookline | 63,266 | $142,101 | $1,246,800 | 85.4% | 8.7% |
| Medford | 59,354 | $129,540 | $755,500 | 59.8% | 7.6% |
| Framingham | 72,399 | $107,419 | $627,300 | 48.7% | 10.4% |
| Weymouth Town | 58,505 | $102,714 | $552,100 | 42.8% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Waltham is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Middlesex County. The total population is 64,902. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waltham is 34.4 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 40.0 years. Only 13.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waltham is $120,216. This is 16% higher than the state median of $103,960. It is also 49% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.4%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $748,700. Housing costs are 33% higher than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 49.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waltham is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (12.6% vs 7.2%).
Education
57.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 93.3%. Notably, 27.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waltham, 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 Waltham, Massachusetts?
Waltham, Massachusetts has a population of 64,902 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waltham, MA?
The median household income in Waltham is $120,216, which is 49% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waltham, MA?
The poverty rate in Waltham is 9.4%. This means approximately 5,392 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waltham, Massachusetts?
Waltham's population is 57.6% White, 8.3% Black, 15.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waltham, MA?
The median home value in Waltham is $748,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Waltham, Massachusetts?
57.3% of adults (25+) in Waltham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.