Chelsea, Massachusetts Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Chelsea, Massachusetts is 39,460 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 38th-largest city in Massachusetts. The median household income is $72,220, the median home value is $476,500, and the median age is 34.5.
The population has grown 13.9% since 2010 (35,341 → 40,245).
39,460
Population
17783
People / sq mi
$72,220
Median Income
$476,500
Median Home Value
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Chelsea covers 2.2 sq mi of land at 17783 people per square mile.
About Chelsea, MA
What distinguishes Chelsea is density: among the most densely settled of US cities, around 17,783 people per square mile. With 39,460 residents, Chelsea is a city in Massachusetts. It ranks #38 among cities in Massachusetts by population.
Median household income is $72,220, below the US median of $78,538. Roughly 16.3% of residents fall below the poverty line, above the national 12.4%. A typical home is worth $476,500, with typical rent around $1,859.
College attainment is 22.0%, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is below the national 14.0% at 9.6%, and the average commute runs about 34 minutes each way.
That density explains much of the rest of the profile in Chelsea: denser places lean toward renting, shorter commutes by transit, and a younger working-age mix.
Chelsea city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Chelsea city had a population of 35,341 in 2010 and 40,245 in 2024, a 13.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 40,549 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.94%.
40,245
Population (2024)
35,341
Population (2010)
40,549
Peak (2020)
0.94%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 35,341 |
| 2011 | 36,207 |
| 2012 | 36,911 |
| 2013 | 37,644 |
| 2014 | 38,685 |
| 2015 | 39,735 |
| 2016 | 40,261 |
| 2017 | 40,287 |
| 2018 | 39,937 |
| 2019 | 39,690 |
| 2020 | 40,549 |
| 2021 | 39,596 |
| 2022 | 39,577 |
| 2023 | 39,526 |
| 2024 | 40,245 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 26.9% |
| Black or African American | 7.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$72,220
Median Household Income
$31,544
Per Capita Income
16.3%
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$476,500
Median Home Value
$1,859
Median Rent
29.2%
Owner-Occupied
Education
69.1%
High School+
22.0%
Bachelor's+
Commute
20.3%
Drive Alone
46.4%
Public Transit
9.6%
Work From Home
33.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
7.2%
Foreign Born
29.6%
Non-English at Home
1.9%
Veterans
14.8%
With Disability
96.0%
Health Insurance
92.2%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 20.2% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 13.3% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 12.9% |
| Construction | 12.5% |
| Retail Trade | 8.2% |
| Manufacturing | 5.3% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.1% |
| Information | 4.5% |
| Public Administration | 2.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.0% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.2% |
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City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Chelsea, Massachusetts has a population of 39,460 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 38th-largest city in Massachusetts.
The median household income in Chelsea, Massachusetts is $72,220, with 16.3% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Chelsea, Massachusetts is $476,500, with median monthly rent at $1,859 and a homeownership rate of 29.2%.
The median age in Chelsea, Massachusetts is 34.5 years. The population is 50.4% male and 49.6% female.
The population has grown 13.9% since 2010 (35,341 → 40,245).
Where to stay in Chelsea
Visiting or relocating to Chelsea, MA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.