Brookline, MA Local Data & Statistics

State: MA

Total population: 63,266 Household income: $142,101 Rent: $2,835

Overview

Total population

63,266

Rent

$2,835

Year built

1938

Household income

$142,101

Per capita income

$96,682

Poverty rate

8.7%

Household size

2.2 persons

Rent over 30% of income

45.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Massachusetts

Total population

63,266

Adults over 25

43,676

Total households

27,587

Household size

2.2 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$142,101

Per capita income

$96,682

Poverty rate

8.7%

Rent over 30% of income

45.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$2,835

Year built

1938

Households that rent

53.1%

Households that own

46.9%

Rooms per home (all homes)

4.7

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

65.1%

Black

3.1%

Asian

19.3%

Two or more races

10.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

6.2%

Not Hispanic or Latino

93.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

69.9%

Commute time to work

27 mins

Work from home

30.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

6.8%

High school graduate or GED

4.8%

Some college or associate degree

Bachelor’s degree or higher

85.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Brookline, MA with: Massachusetts United States

Brookline, MA

Total population63,266

Rent$2,835

Year built1938

Household income$142,101

Per capita income$96,682

Poverty rate8.7%

Unemployment rateN/A

Massachusetts State

Total population7,044,056

Rent$1,762

Year built1964

Household income$103,960

Per capita income$57,897

Poverty rate10%

Unemployment rate4%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CDPBrookline, MA	StateMassachusetts	CountryUnited States
Total population	63,266	7,044,056	334,922,499
Rent	$2,835	$1,762	$1,413
Year built	1938	1964	1980
Household income	$142,101	$103,960	$80,734
Per capita income	$96,682	$57,897	$44,673
Poverty rate	8.7%	10%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	N/A	4%	4%

View the complete comparison of Brookline, MA, Massachusetts and United States →

Summary for Brookline, MA

Brookline is located in Massachusetts.

Rent & Income

In Brookline, the typical monthly rent is $2,835 and the typical household income is $142,101. Rent here is higher than in both Massachusetts and the U.S., and household income is also higher than in both. The estimated poverty rate is 8.7%, which is lower than in both Massachusetts and national.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 53.1% of households, indicating a relatively balanced mix of renters and owners. About 45.4% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is very high, with about 85.4% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Brookline, MA — Rent vs Household Income

💰 Rent in Brookline, MA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $2,835 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Brookline, MA

Annual Household Income: $142,101

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Brookline, MA

Estimated Rate: 8.7%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Brookline, MA

In Brookline, MA, households that rent: 14,662 (53.1%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	14,662	53.1%
Owner-Occupied	12,925	46.9%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Brookline, MA

In Brookline, MA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 6,653 (45.4%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	6,653	45.4%
Other renter households	8,009	54.6%
Total renter households	14,662	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Brookline, MA

Less than High School: 2,958 people (6.8%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 2,101 people (4.8%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 1,318 people (3%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 37,299 people (85.4%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 43,676

📊 Unemployment Rate in Brookline, MA

Estimated Rate: N/A

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Eden Prairie, MN63,249 Millcreek, UT63,342 Coon Rapids, MN63,348 Hamilton, OH63,124 Caldwell, ID63,465 Moore, OK63,045 Lakewood, WA63,034 San Clemente, CA63,510 Maricopa, AZ62,986 Bossier City, LA62,832

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.