Norfolk County, MA

County

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2021 Population

720,403

2.37% 1-year growth

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

40.7

0.489% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

6.25%

4.39% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$112,089

6.43% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$529,200

7.78% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

386,932

2.73% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Norfolk County, MA had a population of 720k people with a median age of 40.7 and a median household income of $112,089. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Norfolk County, MA grew from 703,740 to 720,403, a 2.37% increase and its median household income grew from $105,320 to $112,089, a 6.43% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Norfolk County, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (72.4%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (11.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.82%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.35%), and White (Hispanic) (2.02%).

None of the households in Norfolk County, MA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

92.4% of the residents in Norfolk County, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Norfolk County, MA are Babson College (164580) (1,071 degrees awarded in 2021), Wellesley College (739 degrees), and Curry College (712 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Norfolk County, MA was $529,200, and the homeownership rate was 68.3%.

Most people in Norfolk County, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 33.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Norfolk County, MA was 2 cars per household.

Norfolk County, MA borders Bristol County, MA, Middlesex County, MA, Plymouth County, MA, Suffolk County, MA, Worcester County, MA, and Providence County, RI.

About the photo: View of the sunrise from Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, MA.

Photo by Dan Dvorscak

United States Massachusetts Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Population & Diversity

Norfolk County, MA is home to a population of 720k people, from which 92.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 19.2% of Norfolk County, MA residents were born outside of the country (138k people).

In 2021, there were 6.22 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (522k people) in Norfolk County, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 84k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 49.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

92.4%

2021 Citizenship

92.7%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 92.4% of Norfolk County, MA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Norfolk County, MA was 92.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Norfolk County, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Norfolk County, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
522k ± 1.54k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
84k ± 1.02k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
49.1k ± 1.15k

4.99%

Hispanic Population

36k people

4.99% of the people in Norfolk County, MA are hispanic (36k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Norfolk County, MA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.

Most Common Origin

China
102,889 ± 7,817 people
Dominican Republic
98,796 ± 7,662 people
Brazil
87,929 ± 7,234 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 102,889 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 98,796 and Brazil with 87,929.

Foreign-Born Population

19.2%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

138k people

18.6%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

131k people

As of 2021, 19.2% of Norfolk County, MA residents (138k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Norfolk County, MA was 18.6%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Norfolk County, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
8,119 ± 612
Gulf War (2001-)
4,251 ± 566
Korea
2,718 ± 389

Norfolk County, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.91 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Norfolk County, MA employs 387k people. The largest industries in Norfolk County, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (64,633 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (50,564 people), and Educational Services (46,721 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($103,184), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($102,384), and Finance & Insurance ($100,633).

Males in Massachusetts have an average income that is 1.31 times higher than the average income of females, which is $74,737. The income inequality in Massachusetts (measured using the Gini index) is 0.48, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

387k

2021 Value

± 5,023

2.73%

1 Year growth

± 1.78%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Norfolk County, MA grew at a rate of 2.73%, from 377k employees to 387k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Norfolk County, MA, are Management Occupations (57,005 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (37,284 people), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (34,677 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Norfolk County, MA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Massachusetts (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

387k

2021 Value

± 5,023

2.73%

1 Year growth

± 1.78%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Norfolk County, MA grew at a rate of 2.73%, from 377k employees to 387k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Norfolk County, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (64,633 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (50,564 people), and Educational Services (46,721 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Norfolk County, MA, though some of these residents may live in Norfolk County, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$74,898

Median earning men ± $1,329

$53,674

Median earning women ± $985

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($108,489), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($105,998), and Information ($92,536).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($78,230), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($73,336), and Public Administration ($72,025).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Massachusetts. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Massachusetts.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

9,069
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
5,447
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
4,761
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$9.97M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$9.17M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$5.29M
Manufacturing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $37.1B, followed by Mixed freight ($29.7B) and Electronics ($28.8B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Massachusetts products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts.

$296B

2020 Value in Massachusetts

$627B

Projected 2050 Value in Massachusetts

112% growth

In 2020, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $296B. This is expected to increase 112% to $627B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Massachusetts trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Most Common Trade Partners

New York
$28.8B
New Hampshire
$20.3B
Connecticut
$14.2B

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $28.8B, followed by New Hampshire with $20.3B and Connecticut and $14.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Massachusetts shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Norfolk County, MA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 66.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (30.5%), followed by Other (1.76%).

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing the state of Massachusetts. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (66.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (30.5%)
Republican Party
Other (1.76%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Norfolk County, MA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 66.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (30.5%), followed by Other (1.76%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Norfolk County, MA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Massachusetts

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Elizabeth Warren

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ed Markey

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on July 16, 2013
Elected to the seat to succeed Mo Cowan, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of John Kerry, who had become Secretary of State.

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing Massachusetts.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Massachusetts over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Massachusetts

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Massachusetts have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Norfolk County, MA awarded 4,874 degrees. The student population of Norfolk County, MA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 6,937 male students and 11,502 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Norfolk County, MA are White (2,421 and 55.4%), followed by Black or African American (595 and 13.6%), Hispanic or Latino (530 and 12.1%), and Asian (395 and 9.04%).

The largest universities in Norfolk County, MA by number of degrees awarded are Babson College (164580) (1,071 and 22%), Wellesley College (739 and 15.2%), and Curry College (712 and 14.6%).

The most popular majors in Norfolk County, MA are General Business Administration & Management (1,319 and 27.1%), Registered Nursing (649 and 13.3%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (125 and 2.56%).

The median tuition cost in Norfolk County, MA for private four year colleges is $41,240.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Norfolk County, MA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 43.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 19.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 18,439 (37.6% men and 62.4% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 18,439 students enrolled in Norfolk County, MA, 37.6% men and 62.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 8,278 records, of which 61.1% were women and 38.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
723 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
326 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
99 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Norfolk County, MA was General Business Administration & Management with 723 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Norfolk County, MA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Babson College (164580)
1,071 degrees awarded
Wellesley College
739 degrees awarded
Curry College
712 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Babson College (164580) with 1,071 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,629 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Norfolk County, MA, which is 0.502 times less than the 3,245 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,421 degrees mean that there were 4.07 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 595 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($41,240) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($2,988) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($2,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Measure

In 2021, 1.06% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.14% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.35M), Bachelors Degree (1.33M), and Some college (1.01M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Norfolk County, MA was $529,200 in 2021, which is 2.16 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $491,000 to $529,200, a 7.78% increase. The homeownership rate in Norfolk County, MA is 68.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Norfolk County, MA have an average commute time of 33.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Norfolk County, MA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Norfolk County, MA is $112,089. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Norfolk County, MA was Census Tract 4033 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 4041 and Census Tract 4042.01, with respective values of $250,001 and $250,001.

In 2022, 15.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Norfolk County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.03%.

Housing

Property

$529,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$6,586

$189,105

Median Property Taxes

±$2,733

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Norfolk County, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Norfolk County, MA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

68.3%

Homeownership

2021

62%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 68.3% of the housing units in Norfolk County, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 68.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Norfolk County, MA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 4033
Census Tract 4041
Census Tract 4042.01

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Norfolk County, MA was Census Tract 4033 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 4041 and Census Tract 4042.01, with respective values of $250,001 and $250,001.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Norfolk County, MA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$112,089

Median Household Income

± $1,589

277k

Number of Households

± 3,908

In 2021, the median household income of the 277k households in Norfolk County, MA grew to $112,089 from the previous year's value of $105,320.

The following chart displays the households in Norfolk County, MA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Norfolk County, MA is from Massachusetts.

0.48

2021 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.48

2020 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2021, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.48 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0427% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Massachusetts in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Massachusetts across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (62.7%)
Worked At Home (14.4%)
Public Transit (11.8%)

In 2021, 62.7% of workers in Norfolk County, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (14.4%) and those who used public transit to get to work (11.8%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

33.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Norfolk County, MA have a longer commute time (33.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 3.72% of the workforce in Norfolk County, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Norfolk County, MA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Norfolk County, MA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Norfolk County, MA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 15.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Norfolk County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.03%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

6.25% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Norfolk County, MA (43.9k out of 703k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 75+, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Norfolk County, MA is White, followed by Asian and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 4.7% of the children was living in poverty in Norfolk County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 3.3%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 193 in Norfolk County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 20.2 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

98% of the population of Norfolk County, MA has health coverage, with 62.8% on employee plans, 10.9% on Medicaid, 11.4% on Medicare, 12.5% on non-group plans, and 0.51% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Norfolk County, MA see 780 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.889% decrease from the previous year (787 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 803 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 150 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.8% were men and 52.2% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

780 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Norfolk County, MA

Primary care physicians in Norfolk County, MA see an average of 780 patients per year. This represents a 0.889% decrease from the previous year (787 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Norfolk County, MA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.6% under 18 years, 20.1% between 18 and 34 years, 40.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.8% were men and 52.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

1.96%

Uninsured

62.8%

Employer Coverage

10.9%

Medicaid

11.4%

Medicare

12.5%

Non-Group

0.51%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Norfolk County, MA grew by 6.83% from 1.84% to 1.96%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Norfolk County, MA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 22.6 in Norfolk County, MA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Norfolk County, MA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 21.8% in Norfolk County, MA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Norfolk County, MA.

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