Suffolk County, MA Local Data & Statistics

State: MA
Total population: 785,121 Household income: $95,631 Rent: $2,129

Overview

Total population
785,121
Rent
$2,129
Year built
1949
Household income
$95,631
Per capita income
$58,636
Poverty rate
16.2%
Unemployment rate
4.0%
Household size
2.3 persons
Rent over 30% of income
49.4%

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
785,121
Adults over 25
552,101
Total households
327,167
Household size
2.3 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
$95,631
Per capita income
$58,636
Poverty rate
16.2%
Unemployment rate
4.0%
Rent over 30% of income
49.4%

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
$2,129
Year built
1949
Households that rent
63.5%
Households that own
36.5%
Rooms per home (all homes)
4.3

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
46.2%
Black
18.2%
Asian
9.3%
Two or more races
17.6%

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
23.2%
Not Hispanic or Latino
76.8%

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.

Commute

Commute rate
80.1%
Commute time to work
31 mins
Work from home
19.9%

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.

Education

Less than high school
22%
High school graduate or GED
20.2%
Some college or associate degree
7.2%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
50.6%

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.

 

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

Suffolk County, MA

Total population785,121
Rent$2,129
Year built1949
Household income$95,631
Per capita income$58,636
Poverty rate16.2%
Unemployment rate4.0%

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 CountySuffolk County, MAMetro AreaBoston Metro Area, MA-NHStateMassachusettsCountryUnited States
Total population785,1214,953,3547,044,056334,922,499
Rent$2,129$2,023$1,762$1,413
Year built1949196419641980
Household income$95,631$115,863$103,960$80,734
Per capita income$58,636$63,282$57,897$44,673
Poverty rate16.2%8.9%10%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.0%3.7%4%4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

 

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Summary for Suffolk County, MA

Suffolk County is located in Massachusetts .

Rent & Income

In Suffolk County, the monthly rent is $2,129 and household income is $95,631. Rent is higher than both Massachusetts and the U.S., and household income is lower than Massachusetts and higher than the U.S. The poverty rate is 16.2%, which is higher than both Massachusetts and the national rate.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 63.5% of households, making this a predominantly renter area. About 49.4% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is high, with about 50.6% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is similar to both Massachusetts and the national rate.

 

 

Suffolk County, MA — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

Suffolk County, MA — Poverty vs Unemployment

 

💰 Rent in Suffolk County, MA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $2,129 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 Suffolk County, MA

Annual Household Income: $95,631

💡 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 Suffolk County, MA

Estimated Rate: 16.2%

💡 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 Suffolk County, MA

In Suffolk County, MA, households that rent: 207,832 (63.5%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 207,832 63.5%
Owner-Occupied 119,335 36.5%

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 Suffolk County, MA

In Suffolk County, MA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 102,747 (49.4%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 102,747 49.4%
Other renter households 105,085 50.6%
Total renter households 207,832 100%

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 Suffolk County, MA

Less than High School: 121,463 people (22%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 111,667 people (20.2%)

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

Some College or Associate Degree: 39,543 people (7.2%)

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

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 279,428 people (50.6%)

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

👥 Total Adults (25+): 552,101

📊 Unemployment Rate in Suffolk County, MA

Estimated Rate: 4.0%

💡 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%.

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.