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Population Review

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

Melrose covers 4.7 sq mi of land at 6297 people per square mile.

About Melrose, MA

Melrose is a city in Massachusetts with a population of 29,488. It ranks #51 among cities in Massachusetts by population. The median age is 44.3, older than the national median. The population is 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

The median household income in Melrose is $126,854, above the US median of $74,580. 2.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $796,100, with monthly rent averaging $1,933. The homeownership rate of 67.8% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Melrose reflects 62.0% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 25.6% of workers primarily work from home, noticeably above the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 35.7 minutes each way.

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%.

2024 · 30K20102024

29,938

Population (2024)

27,037

Population (2010)

29,938

Peak (2024)

0.74%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
201027,037
201127,294
201227,516
201327,807
201428,039
201528,052
201628,114
201728,205
201828,103
201928,016
202029,740
202129,408
202229,491
202329,673
202429,938

Race & Ethnicity

White78.6%
Black or African American2.2%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)0.2%
Two or More Races0.0%

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 & Management24.1%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate21.2%
Information12.2%
Manufacturing6.3%
Arts, Entertainment & Food Services5.7%
Education, Health Care & Social Services5.4%
Public Administration4.5%
Construction4.3%
Transportation & Warehousing3.8%
Retail Trade2.5%
Agriculture & Mining0.4%

Largest cities in Massachusetts

Largest counties in Massachusetts

Part of Massachusetts

Metro areas in Massachusetts

City rankings

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).

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.