Melrose, Massachusetts Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Melrose, Massachusetts is 29,488 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 51st-largest city in Massachusetts. The median household income is $126,854, the median home value is $796,100, and the median age is 44.3.
The population has grown 10.7% since 2010 (27,037 → 29,938).
29,488
Population
6297
People / sq mi
$126,854
Median Income
$796,100
Median Home Value
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Melrose covers 4.7 sq mi of land at 6297 people per square mile.
About Melrose, MA
Remote work is unusually prominent in Melrose: 25.6% of workers primarily work from home, above the 14.0% national rate. Melrose is a city in Massachusetts with a population of 29,488.
Households take in a median $126,854, comfortably above the US median of $78,538. Poverty is among the lowest of comparable US cities, at 2.1% — below the national 12.4%. Real estate commands a premium here — a median home value of $796,100, with typical rent around $1,933.
Melrose is among the best-educated US cities: 62.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national 35.0%. Working from home is common here: 25.6% of workers do so, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 36 minutes each way.
The remote-work concentration is telling in Melrose — it skews toward higher-income, college-educated workers and reshapes both commute patterns and housing demand.
Melrose city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Melrose city had a population of 27,037 in 2010 and 29,938 in 2024, a 10.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 29,938 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.74%.
29,938
Population (2024)
27,037
Population (2010)
29,938
Peak (2024)
0.74%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 27,037 |
| 2011 | 27,294 |
| 2012 | 27,516 |
| 2013 | 27,807 |
| 2014 | 28,039 |
| 2015 | 28,052 |
| 2016 | 28,114 |
| 2017 | 28,205 |
| 2018 | 28,103 |
| 2019 | 28,016 |
| 2020 | 29,740 |
| 2021 | 29,408 |
| 2022 | 29,491 |
| 2023 | 29,673 |
| 2024 | 29,938 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 78.6% |
| Black or African American | 2.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$126,854
Median Household Income
$65,038
Per Capita Income
2.1%
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$796,100
Median Home Value
$1,933
Median Rent
67.8%
Owner-Occupied
Education
95.0%
High School+
62.0%
Bachelor's+
Commute
15.7%
Drive Alone
50.4%
Public Transit
25.6%
Work From Home
35.7 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
20.5%
Foreign Born
78.8%
Non-English at Home
2.7%
Veterans
9.7%
With Disability
98.9%
Health Insurance
95.5%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 24.1% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 21.2% |
| Information | 12.2% |
| Manufacturing | 6.3% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.7% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 5.4% |
| Public Administration | 4.5% |
| Construction | 4.3% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 3.8% |
| Retail Trade | 2.5% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Melrose, Massachusetts has a population of 29,488 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 51st-largest city in Massachusetts.
The median household income in Melrose, Massachusetts is $126,854, with 2.1% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Melrose, Massachusetts is $796,100, with median monthly rent at $1,933 and a homeownership rate of 67.8%.
The median age in Melrose, Massachusetts is 44.3 years. The population is 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
The population has grown 10.7% since 2010 (27,037 → 29,938).
Where to stay in Melrose
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.