Suffolk County, MA

County

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2021 Population

792,647

1.06% 1-year decline

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

33.3

0.909% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

17.3%

0.721% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$80,260

7.18% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$576,300

5.3% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

436,945

1.29% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Suffolk County, MA had a population of 793k people with a median age of 33.3 and a median household income of $80,260. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Suffolk County, MA declined from 801,162 to 792,647, a −1.06% decrease and its median household income grew from $74,881 to $80,260, a 7.18% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Suffolk County, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (44.1%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (19.1%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (8.74%), Two+ (Hispanic) (7.58%), and White (Hispanic) (7.53%).

None of the households in Suffolk 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.

84.7% of the residents in Suffolk County, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Suffolk County, MA are Boston University (11,580 degrees awarded in 2021), Northeastern University (8,157 degrees), and University of Massachusetts-Boston (3,924 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Suffolk County, MA was $576,300, and the homeownership rate was 36.2%.

Most people in Suffolk County, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 31.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Suffolk County, MA was 1 car per household.

Suffolk County, MA borders Essex County, MA, Middlesex County, MA, Norfolk County, MA, and Plymouth County, MA.

Photo by Robert Linsdell

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

Population & Diversity

Suffolk County, MA is home to a population of 793k people, from which 84.7% are citizens. As of 2021, 29.8% of Suffolk County, MA residents were born outside of the country (236k people).

In 2021, there were 2.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (349k people) in Suffolk County, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 152k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 69.3k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

84.7%

2021 Citizenship

84.7%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 84.7% of Suffolk County, MA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Suffolk County, MA was 84.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Suffolk County, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
349k ± 1.1k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
152k ± 1.7k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
69.3k ± 998

23.3%

Hispanic Population

185k people

23.3% of the people in Suffolk County, MA are hispanic (185k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Suffolk 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

29.8%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

236k people

29.7%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

238k people

As of 2021, 29.8% of Suffolk County, MA residents (236k 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 Suffolk County, MA was 29.7%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,707 ± 534
Gulf War (2001-)
4,434 ± 521
Gulf War (1990s)
1,541 ± 340

Suffolk County, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.06 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Suffolk County, MA employs 437k people. The largest industries in Suffolk County, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (75,882 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (59,855 people), and Educational Services (54,511 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($98,000), Finance & Insurance ($89,869), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($84,250).

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

437k

2021 Value

± 5,420

−1.29%

1 Year decline

± 1.78%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Suffolk County, MA declined at a rate of −1.29%, from 443k employees to 437k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Suffolk County, MA, are Management Occupations (51,280 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (44,350 people), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (37,050 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Suffolk 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

437k

2021 Value

± 5,420

−1.29%

1 Year decline

± 1.78%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Suffolk County, MA declined at a rate of −1.29%, from 443k employees to 437k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Suffolk County, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (75,882 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (59,855 people), and Educational Services (54,511 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Suffolk County, MA, though some of these residents may live in Suffolk County, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$54,821

Median earning men ± $889

$46,801

Median earning women ± $1,129

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($91,515), Public Administration ($81,652), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($75,855).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($73,756), Manufacturing ($68,624), and Public Administration ($67,454).

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

7,084
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
6,525
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
5,610
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

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

$41.3M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$31.2M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$13.7M
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

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 Suffolk County, MA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 80.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (17.4%), followed by Other (1.53%).

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. (80.2%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (17.4%)
Republican Party
Other (1.53%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Suffolk County, MA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 80.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (17.4%), followed by Other (1.53%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Suffolk 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 Suffolk County, MA awarded 44,525 degrees. The student population of Suffolk County, MA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 62,683 male students and 90,686 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Suffolk County, MA are White (18,290 and 54%), followed by Asian (4,638 and 13.7%), Hispanic or Latino (4,190 and 12.4%), and Black or African American (3,119 and 9.21%).

The largest universities in Suffolk County, MA by number of degrees awarded are Boston University (11,580 and 26%), Northeastern University (8,157 and 18.3%), and University of Massachusetts-Boston (3,924 and 8.81%).

The most popular majors in Suffolk County, MA are General Business Administration & Management (2,390 and 5.37%), Registered Nursing (1,306 and 2.93%), and General Business (1,205 and 2.71%).

The median tuition costs in Suffolk County, MA are $39,146 for private four year colleges, and $7,609 and $30,640 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Suffolk County, MA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 35.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 22.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 153,369 (40.9% men and 59.1% 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 153,369 students enrolled in Suffolk County, MA, 40.9% men and 59.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 59,581 records, of which 60.8% were women and 39.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
1,525 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
1,064 degree-majors awarded
General Business
922 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Suffolk County, MA was General Business Administration & Management with 1,525 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Boston University
11,580 degrees awarded
Northeastern University
8,157 degrees awarded
University of Massachusetts-Boston
3,924 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Boston University with 11,580 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 17,974 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Suffolk County, MA, which is 0.677 times less than the 26,551 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 18,290 degrees mean that there were 3.94 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 4,638 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 ($39,146) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($6,830) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($2,008) 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 Suffolk County, MA was $576,300 in 2021, which is 2.35 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $547,300 to $576,300, a 5.3% increase. The homeownership rate in Suffolk County, MA is 36.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Suffolk County, MA have an average commute time of 31.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Suffolk County, MA is lower than the national average, with an average of 1 car per household.

Median household income in Suffolk County, MA is $80,260. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Suffolk County, MA was Census Tract 706 with a value of $206,667, followed by Census Tract 1201.03 and Census Tract 401, with respective values of $196,563 and $165,926.

In 2022, 24.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Suffolk County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.15%.

Housing

Property

$576,300

Median Property Value 2021

±$6,721

$114,012

Median Property Taxes

±$2,372

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 Suffolk County, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

36.2%

Homeownership

2021

65.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 36.2% of the housing units in Suffolk County, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 36.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Suffolk 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 706
Census Tract 1201.03
Census Tract 401

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Suffolk County, MA was Census Tract 706 with a value of $206,667, followed by Census Tract 1201.03 and Census Tract 401, with respective values of $196,563 and $165,926.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Suffolk 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.

$80,260

Median Household Income

± $1,586

315k

Number of Households

± 4,435

In 2021, the median household income of the 315k households in Suffolk County, MA grew to $80,260 from the previous year's value of $74,881.

The following chart displays the households in Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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 (38.6%)
Public Transit (27.2%)
Walked (12.8%)

In 2021, 38.6% of workers in Suffolk County, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who used public transit to get to work (27.2%) and those who walked to work (12.8%).

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

31.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Suffolk County, MA have a longer commute time (31.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.29% of the workforce in Suffolk County, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

1 car

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Suffolk County, MA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Suffolk County, MA have 1 car.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 24.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Suffolk County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.15%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

17.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Suffolk County, MA (129k out of 749k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Suffolk County, MA is White, followed by Hispanic 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, 20.5% of the children was living in poverty in Suffolk County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 5.7%.

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 752 in Suffolk County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 209 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

96.4% of the population of Suffolk County, MA has health coverage, with 51.4% on employee plans, 25.9% on Medicaid, 7.01% on Medicare, 11.7% on non-group plans, and 0.45% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Suffolk County, MA see 648 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.43% decrease from the previous year (671 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 452 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 107 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.6% were men and 52.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

648 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Suffolk County, MA

Primary care physicians in Suffolk County, MA see an average of 648 patients per year. This represents a 3.43% decrease from the previous year (671 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.6% under 18 years, 34.7% between 18 and 34 years, 34.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 11.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.6% were men and 52.4% were women.

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

Uninsured People

3.63%

Uninsured

51.4%

Employer Coverage

25.9%

Medicaid

7.01%

Medicare

11.7%

Non-Group

0.45%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Suffolk County, MA declined by 3.53% from 3.76% to 3.63%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Suffolk 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 42.9 in Suffolk County, MA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Suffolk 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 25% in Suffolk County, MA.

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

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