Lawrence, MA Local Data & Statistics

State: MA

Total population: 88,736 Household income: $60,433 Rent: $1,662

Overview

Total population

88,736

Rent

$1,662

Year built

1950

Household income

$60,433

Per capita income

$28,249

Poverty rate

17.6%

Unemployment rate

6.0%

Household size

2.8 persons

Rent over 30% of income

58.5%

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

88,736

Adults over 25

55,420

Total households

31,142

Household size

2.8 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

$60,433

Per capita income

$28,249

Poverty rate

17.6%

Unemployment rate

6.0%

Rent over 30% of income

58.5%

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

Housing

Rent

$1,662

Year built

1950

Households that rent

71.9%

Households that own

28.1%

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

18.9%

Black

Asian

1.9%

Two or more races

25%

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

83.2%

Not Hispanic or Latino

16.8%

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

93.2%

Commute time to work

23 mins

Work from home

6.8%

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

36.3%

High school graduate or GED

34.1%

Some college or associate degree

12.7%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

16.8%

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

Comparison of Lawrence, MA with: Massachusetts United States

Lawrence, MA

Total population88,736

Rent$1,662

Year built1950

Household income$60,433

Per capita income$28,249

Poverty rate17.6%

Unemployment rate6.0%

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	CityLawrence, MA	StateMassachusetts	CountryUnited States
Total population	88,736	7,044,056	334,922,499
Rent	$1,662	$1,762	$1,413
Year built	1950	1964	1980
Household income	$60,433	$103,960	$80,734
Per capita income	$28,249	$57,897	$44,673
Poverty rate	17.6%	10%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	6.0%	4%	4%

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

Summary for Lawrence, MA

Lawrence is located in Massachusetts.

Rent & Income

In Lawrence, the typical monthly rent is $1,662 and the typical household income is $60,433. Rent here is lower than Massachusetts and higher than the U.S., and household income is lower than both Massachusetts and the U.S. The estimated poverty rate is 17.6%, which is higher than in both Massachusetts and national.

Housing & Affordability

Most households in this area are renters (71.9%), making this a heavily renter area. About 58.5% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Only about 16.8% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, indicating lower levels of formal education. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, which is higher than both Massachusetts and the national rate.

Lawrence, MA — Rent vs Household Income

Lawrence, MA — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Lawrence, MA compares in Massachusetts (23 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,662	9 / 23	from lower rent	$1,137 – $2,787
Household income	$60,433	20 / 23	from higher income	$52,656 – $190,304
Poverty rate	17.6%	19 / 23	from lower poverty	4.5% – 25.8%
Unemployment rate	6%	21 / 23	from lower unemployment	3.1% – 6.1%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Massachusetts with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Lawrence, MA

Rent

Rent prices put Lawrence in 9th place among 23 large communities in Massachusetts. Across Massachusetts, rents range from $1,137 in New Bedford, MA up to $2,787 in Cambridge, MA.

Household income

For household income, Lawrence ranks 20th out of 23 large places. Across Massachusetts, incomes range from $52,656 in Springfield, MA to $190,304 in Newton, MA.

Poverty rate

In poverty comparisons, Lawrence ranks 19th out of 23 large places. Statewide rates vary from 4.5% in Newton, MA to 25.8% in Springfield, MA.

Unemployment rate

For joblessness, Lawrence ranks 21st out of 23 significant areas. Across Massachusetts, unemployment varies from 3.1% in Somerville, MA to 6.1% in Springfield, MA.

💰 Rent in Lawrence, MA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,662 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 Lawrence, MA

Annual Household Income: $60,433

💡 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 Lawrence, MA

Estimated Rate: 17.6%

💡 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 Lawrence, MA

In Lawrence, MA, households that rent: 22,404 (71.9%)

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

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	22,404	71.9%
Owner-Occupied	8,738	28.1%

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 Lawrence, MA

In Lawrence, MA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 13,107 (58.5%)

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

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	13,107	58.5%
Other renter households	9,297	41.5%
Total renter households	22,404	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 Lawrence, MA

Less than High School: 20,144 people (36.3%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 18,920 people (34.1%)

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

Some College or Associate Degree: 7,021 people (12.7%)

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

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 9,335 people (16.8%)

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

👥 Total Adults (25+): 55,420

📊 Unemployment Rate in Lawrence, MA

Estimated Rate: 6.0%

💡 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

Champaign, IL88,822 Bloomington, MN88,838 Waukegan, IL88,919 Greenville, NC88,540 San Leandro, CA88,531 Newton, MA88,504 Clifton, NJ89,247 Santa Fe, NM88,224 Santa Barbara, CA88,024 Fort Smith, AR89,496

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.