United States >> States >> Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Population Overview (2026 Projection)
Massachusetts is a state in the Northeastern United States, bordered by New Hampshire and Vermont to the north, New York to the west, Connecticut and Rhode Island to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Maine to the east. It is one of the smallest states by land area but among the most densely populated in the country.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Massachusetts recorded a population of 7,029,917 in the 2020 Census. The latest Census population estimate (July 1, 2024) places Massachusetts’s population at 7,136,171, reflecting modest but steady growth since 2020.
Based on recent Census trends, migration patterns, and natural population change, Massachusetts’s population is expected to remain stable with slow growth over the next few years.
👉 Projected Population of Massachusetts (2026): ~7.2 million
Massachusetts Population Growth (2010–2020)
Massachusetts has a population growth rate of 7.4% during 2010-2020. It has population increase of 482,288 since 2010. The median age is 39.4 years of age over the entire population of Massachusetts. The gender ratio is approximately 51.5% female and 48.5% male.
Massachusetts Census Snapshot (2020)
| Indicators | Data |
| Total Population | 7,029,917 (7 million) |
| Median age | 39.4 years |
| Population Rank | 15th |
| Total Land Area | 7,840 sq. mi (20,306 km2) |
| Area Rank | 44th |
| Population Density | 897/sq. mi (346/km2) |
| Capital City | Boston |
Source: US Census 2020 and Census Estimates
Massachusetts Historical Population
Massachusetts has experienced steady population growth over the past century, increasing from 3.36 million in 1910 to 7.03 million in 2020. The fastest growth occurred during the early–mid 20th century, particularly between 1910 and 1930, while growth slowed significantly during the 1940s and 1980s. Since 1990, the state has continued to grow at a moderate pace, with the population rising by 7.4% between 2010 and 2020, reflecting renewed demographic stability and urban-driven growth.
Let’s look at decade population & percentage change
| Year | Population | % Change |
| 1910 | 3,366,416 | 20% |
| 1920 | 3,852,356 | 14.4% |
| 1930 | 4,249,614 | 10.3% |
| 1940 | 4,316,721 | 1.6% |
| 1950 | 4,690,514 | 8.7% |
| 1960 | 5,148,578 | 9.8% |
| 1970 | 5,689,170 | 10.5% |
| 1980 | 5,737,037 | 0.8% |
| 1990 | 6,016,425 | 4.9% |
| 2000 | 6,349,097 | 5.5% |
| 2010 | 6,547,629 | 3.16% |
| 2020 | 7,029,917 | 7.4% |
Source: US Census 2020
Massachusetts Demographics (Summary)
Religion in Massachusetts (Overview)
Christianity is the largest religious affiliation in Massachusetts, followed by a large unaffiliated population.
Christian: ~58%
Roman Catholic: 34%
Protestant: 21%
Mormon (LDS): 1%
Eastern Orthodoxy: 1%
Jehovah’s Witnesses & other Christian groups: ~1%
Unaffiliated: ~32%
Other Religions: ~9%
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Islam
Sikhism
Other smaller faiths
🔗 Read detailed data: Religion in Massachusetts
Race and Ethnicity in Massachusetts (Overview)
Massachusetts has a racially and ethnically diverse population shaped by long-standing European ancestry and recent immigration.
White (Non-Hispanic): 67.6%
Hispanic or Latino: 12.6%
Asian: 7.2%
Black or African American: 6.5%
Two or More Races: 3.6%
Ancestry in Massachusetts (Overview)
Massachusetts’ population reflects strong European immigrant roots. The largest ancestry groups include:
Irish
Italian
English
French
German
🔗 Read detailed data: Race and Ancestry in Massachusetts
Counties and Cities in Massachusetts (Overview)
As of 2022, Massachusetts is divided into 14 counties. Middlesex County is the most populous county in the state, while Nantucket County is the least populated. In terms of land area, Worcester County is the largest county in Massachusetts, whereas Nantucket County is the smallest.
Boston is the largest city in Massachusetts, and nearly two-thirds of the state’s population lives in the Greater Boston area. It is followed by Worcester (184,570) and Springfield (152,640) as the next most populous cities in the state.
🔗 Read detailed data: Counties and Cities in Massachusetts
English
Español
Português
Deutsch