Norfolk County, MA Local Data & Statistics

State: MA
Total population: 730,082 Household income: $130,739 Rent: $2,149

Overview

Total population
730,082
Rent
$2,149
Year built
1964
Household income
$130,739
Per capita income
$71,758
Poverty rate
6.7%
Unemployment rate
3.8%
Household size
2.5 persons
Rent over 30% of income
48.4%

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
730,082
Adults over 25
518,103
Total households
283,368
Household size
2.5 persons

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.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$130,739
Per capita income
$71,758
Poverty rate
6.7%
Unemployment rate
3.8%
Rent over 30% of income
48.4%

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.

Housing

Rent
$2,149
Year built
1964
Households that rent
31.3%
Households that own
68.7%
Rooms per home (all homes)
5.9

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.

Race

White
69.8%
Black
7.4%
Asian
12.4%
Two or more races
7.6%

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.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
5.8%
Not Hispanic or Latino
94.2%

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.

Commute

Commute rate
77.2%
Commute time to work
32 mins
Work from home
22.8%

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.

Education

Less than high school
16.7%
High school graduate or GED
16.9%
Some college or associate degree
7.6%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
58.8%

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.

 

Comparison of Norfolk County, MA with: Boston Metro Area, MA-NH Massachusetts United States

Norfolk County, MA

Total population730,082
Rent$2,149
Year built1964
Household income$130,739
Per capita income$71,758
Poverty rate6.7%
Unemployment rate3.8%

Boston Metro Area, MA-NH

Total population4,953,354
Rent$2,023
Year built1964
Household income$115,863
Per capita income$63,282
Poverty rate8.9%
Unemployment rate3.7%

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 CountyNorfolk County, MAMetro AreaBoston Metro Area, MA-NHStateMassachusettsCountryUnited States
Total population730,0824,953,3547,044,056334,922,499
Rent$2,149$2,023$1,762$1,413
Year built1964196419641980
Household income$130,739$115,863$103,960$80,734
Per capita income$71,758$63,282$57,897$44,673
Poverty rate6.7%8.9%10%12.5%
Unemployment rate3.8%3.7%4%4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

 

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Summary for Norfolk County, MA

Norfolk County is located in Massachusetts .

Rent & Income

In Norfolk County, the monthly rent is $2,149 and household income is $130,739. Rent is higher than both Massachusetts and the U.S., and household income is higher than both Massachusetts and the U.S. The poverty rate is 6.7%, which is lower than both Massachusetts and the national rate.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 31.3% of households. About 48.4% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is high, with about 58.8% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is similar to both Massachusetts and the national rate.

 

 

Norfolk County, MA — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

Norfolk County, MA — Poverty vs Unemployment

 

💰 Rent in Norfolk County, MA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $2,149 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 Norfolk County, MA

Annual Household Income: $130,739

💡 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 Norfolk County, MA

Estimated Rate: 6.7%

💡 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 Norfolk County, MA

In Norfolk County, MA, households that rent: 88,556 (31.3%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 88,556 31.3%
Owner-Occupied 194,812 68.7%

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 Norfolk County, MA

In Norfolk County, MA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 42,894 (48.4%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 42,894 48.4%
Other renter households 45,662 51.6%
Total renter households 88,556 100%

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 Norfolk County, MA

Less than High School: 86,587 people (16.7%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 87,369 people (16.9%)

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

Some College or Associate Degree: 39,588 people (7.6%)

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

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 304,559 people (58.8%)

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

👥 Total Adults (25+): 518,103

📊 Unemployment Rate in Norfolk County, MA

Estimated Rate: 3.8%

💡 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%.

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.