2023 Middlesex County, Massachusetts Demographics | Data & Analysis

Ready-to-use reports, analytics, and visualizations covering Middlesex County, Massachusetts, including population, race, income, and more. Based on 2023 American Community Survey Estimates.

Middlesex County, Massachusetts Key Demographic Statistics (2023 Estimates)

Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS).

Total Population
1,622,896
Median Age
38.9 years
Median Household Income
$126,779
Bachelor's Degree+
58.99%
Uninsured Rate
2.4%
Total Households
630,939
Total Workers
897,476
Citizenship Rate
88.9%
Total Veterans
45,564
Top Veteran Era
Vietnam Era Only
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Families in Poverty
18,692
SNAP Recipients
8.61%
Households w/ SNAP
54,324

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates

Middlesex County, Massachusetts 2023 Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution

Bar chart showing the population distribution of Middlesex County, Massachusetts by age group and gender, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the total population of Middlesex County, Massachusetts is 1,622,896. The median age of the population in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is 38.9 years. The median age for males is 37.9 years, and for females it is 39.9 years.

The age distribution of the population in Middlesex County, Massachusetts by age group is as follows:

Population Percentage by Age Group in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2023
Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years 5.09%
5–17 years (children) 14.54%
18–24 years (young adults) 9.58%
25–34 years 15.11%
35–54 years 26.64%
55–64 years 13.05%
65 years and over (seniors) 16.00%

Understanding the Demographic Dependency Ratio in Middlesex County, Massachusetts

The total dependency ratio in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is 55.33. The youth dependency ratio is 30.48, and the old-age dependency ratio is 24.84. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children under 18 and older adults 65+) relative to the working age (18-64) population. A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support the non-working age groups.

For more detailed reports, explore the demographics for each of the most populated ZIP Codes in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, including Malden (02148) (65,509), Medford (02155) (61,276), and Everett (02149) (49,236).


What is the Racial and Ethnic Breakdown of Middlesex County, Massachusetts?

Race and Ethnicity Distribution Chart for Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

The racial makeup and ethnic composition (racial demographics) of Middlesex County, Massachusetts is detailed below, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates.

The Diversity Index for Middlesex County, Massachusetts is calculated at 52.53, suggesting a moderate level of racial and ethnic diversity. This index measures the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.

The following table provides the breakdown of the population of Middlesex County, Massachusetts by race and ethnicity:

Population Percentage by Racial and Ethnic Group in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2023
Racial/Ethnic Group Percentage
White Alone (Non-Hispanic) 66.66%
Asian Alone 13.14%
Hispanic or Latino (Any Race) 8.99%
Two or More Races 4.97%
Black/African American Alone 4.81%
Some Other Race Alone 1.32%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone 0.07%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone 0.04%

Middlesex County, Massachusetts 2023 Demographics: Household Income Distribution

Horizontal bar chart showing household income distribution in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the median household income in Middlesex County, Massachusetts over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2023 inflation, was $126,779. This figure is based on a total of 630,939 households.

The distribution of household income in Middlesex County, Massachusetts across various income brackets is as follows:

Household Income Distribution in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2023
Income Range Percentage of Households
Less than $20,000 8.24%
$20,000 to $34,999 5.80%
$35,000 to $49,999 5.76%
$50,000 to $74,999 10.47%
$75,000 to $149,999 27.11%
$150,000 or more 42.63%

For detailed household income distribution reports on the ZIP Codes with the highest median household income in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, explore the data for: Weston (02493) ($250,001), Sudbury (01776) ($234,634), and Lexington (02420) ($233,068).


Middlesex County, Massachusetts 2023 Demographics: Property Value Distribution

Line chart showing the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is based on a total of 388,864 properties.

The property value distribution in Middlesex County, Massachusetts across various value brackets is as follows:

Property Value Distribution in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2023
Property Value Range Percentage of Properties
Less than $25,000 0.80%
$25,000 to $49,999 0.45%
$50,000 to $99,999 0.71%
$100,000 to $199,999 1.45%
$200,000 to $499,999 22.17%
$500,000 to $999,999 66.72%
$1,000,000 or more 7.70%

Educational Attainment in Middlesex County, Massachusetts (2023 Data)

Treemap chart illustrating the educational attainment breakdown for population 25 years and over in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the educational attainment data covers the population 25 years and older in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, totaling 1,149,018 individuals.

93.44% of Middlesex County, Massachusetts population has a high school diploma or higher. Furthermore, the percentage of individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher professional/graduate degree is 58.99%.

The detailed breakdown by educational level is presented below:

Educational Attainment Distribution in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2023
Educational Attainment Level Percentage of Population 25+
Less than high school graduate 6.56%
High school graduate (incl. equivalency) 17.48%
Some college or associate's degree 16.97%
Bachelor's Degree 28.76%
Graduate or professional degree 30.22%

What is the Health Insurance Coverage Rate in Middlesex County, Massachusetts?

Pyramid chart showing health insurance coverage by age and sex in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the health insurance coverage data for Middlesex County, Massachusetts shows that 2.4% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 39,085 individuals out of a total population of 1,608,885 people.

The uninsured rates vary significantly by age group. Young adults (18-34 years) have uninsured rates of 4.9% for males and 3.0% for females. In the 35-64 age bracket, 3.4% of males and 2.2% of females are uninsured.

Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare. In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, uninsured rates for children are 1.6% for males and 1.4% for females, while seniors have rates of 0.5% for males and 0.5% for females.

Uninsured Rates by Age Group and Sex in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2023
Age Group Male Uninsured % Female Uninsured %
Under 18 1.6% 1.4%
18-34 years 4.9% 3.0%
35-64 years 3.4% 2.2%
65+ years 0.5% 0.5%

Middlesex County, Massachusetts 2023 Population by Nativity and Citizenship Status

Treemap showing the population distribution by nativity and citizenship status in Middlesex County, Massachusetts based on U.S. Census data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the nativity and citizenship data for Middlesex County, Massachusetts shows that 88.9% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes both native-born and naturalized citizens, representing 1,443,070 individuals out of a total population of 1,622,896 people.

The nativity breakdown reveals diverse origins: 75.3% were born in the United States, 0.8% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, and 1.3% were born abroad of American parent(s).

Among the foreign-born population, 11.5% of the total population have become naturalized U.S. citizens (187,128 individuals), while 11.1% are non-citizens (179,826 individuals).

Nativity and Citizenship Distribution in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2023
Nativity/Citizenship Status Percentage
Born in the United States 75.3%
Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas 0.8%
Born abroad of American parent(s) 1.3%
U.S. citizen by naturalization 11.5%
Not a U.S. citizen 11.1%
Total U.S. Citizens 88.9%

Middlesex County, Massachusetts 2023 Demographics: Means of Transportation to Work

Treemap showing means of transportation to work distribution in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the commuting patterns for Middlesex County, Massachusetts show that 62.4% of workers commute by car, truck, or van. This represents 550,014 workers out of a total workforce of 881,959 people.

Public transportation usage stands at 8.0% (70,145 workers), which includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries, but excludes taxicabs. Active transportation methods include walking (4.2%) and bicycling (1.6%).

22.2% of workers in Middlesex County, Massachusetts report working from home. An additional 1.6% use other means such as taxicabs, motorcycles, or other forms of transportation. These alternative commuting patterns reflect changing work arrangements and transportation preferences in the modern workforce.

Commuting Methods Distribution in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2023
Transportation Method Percentage Number of Workers
Car, truck, or van 62.4% 550,014
Public transportation 8.0% 70,145
Bicycle 1.6% 13,884
Walked 4.2% 37,379
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means 1.6% 14,354
Worked from home 22.2% 196,183
Total Workers - 881,959

Middlesex County, Massachusetts 2023 Demographics: Employment by Class of Worker

Horizontal bar chart showing employment distribution by class of worker and gender in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in Middlesex County, Massachusetts totals 897,476 workers. Of these, 466,393 (52.0%) are male and 431,083 (48.0%) are female.

The employment distribution by class of worker in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is as follows:

Employment Distribution by Class of Worker and Sex in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2023
Employment Class Male Workers Female Workers
Private For-Profit 344,041 (38.3%) 267,596 (29.8%)
Private Non-Profit 55,178 (6.1%) 83,238 (9.3%)
Government (All Levels) 41,001 (4.6%) 55,039 (6.1%)
  • Local Government 19,435 35,139
  • State Government 12,614 14,191
  • Federal Government 8,952 5,709
Self-Employed 25,567 (2.8%) 24,147 (2.7%)

Class of worker categorizes employed civilians by their employment arrangement. Private sector workers are employed by for-profit or non-profit companies. Government workers include those employed at local, state, or federal levels. Self-employed workers operate their own unincorporated businesses. Understanding the class of worker distribution provides insights into the economic structure and employment diversity of Middlesex County, Massachusetts.


Middlesex County, Massachusetts 2023 Demographics: Veterans by Period of Service

Horizontal bar chart showing veteran distribution by period of military service in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 45,564 civilian veterans aged 18 and over in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

The largest group of veterans served during Vietnam Era Only, accounting for 15,575 veterans (34.2% of all veterans). The second-largest group served during Post-9/11 Only, with 6,619 veterans (14.5%).

The complete distribution of veterans by period of military service in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is as follows:

Veteran Distribution by Period of Military Service in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2023
Period of Service Number of Veterans Percentage
Vietnam Era Only (August 1964 to April 1975) 15,575 34.2%
Post-9/11 Only (September 2001 or later) 6,619 14.5%
Between Gulf War and Vietnam Era 6,227 13.7%
Gulf War Only (August 1990 to August 2001) 4,635 10.2%
Between Vietnam Era and Korean War 4,221 9.3%
Korean War Only (July 1950 to January 1955) 4,075 8.9%
Post-9/11 and Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) 2,063 4.5%
World War II Only (December 1941 to December 1946) 1,151 2.5%
Gulf War and Vietnam Era 355 0.8%
Vietnam Era and Korean War 261 0.6%
Between Korean War and World War II 192 0.4%
Korean War and World War II 155 0.3%
Post-9/11, Gulf War, and Vietnam Era 35 0.1%
Total Veterans 45,564 100.0%

Period of military service categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans may have served during multiple periods, including World War II (December 1941–December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950–January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964–April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990–August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Understanding veteran demographics helps communities provide appropriate services, benefits, and support to those who have served.


Middlesex County, Massachusetts 2023 Demographics: Families by Income-to-Poverty Ratio

Horizontal bar chart showing family distribution by income-to-poverty ratio in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 399,401 families in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Of these families, 18,692 (4.7%) live below the poverty line (income less than 100% of the federal poverty level). An additional 59,884 families (15.0%) are at or near poverty (100-199% of poverty). Meanwhile, 320,825 families (80.3%) have incomes at least twice the poverty level.

The complete distribution of families by income-to-poverty ratio in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is as follows:

Family Distribution by Income-to-Poverty Ratio in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2023
Income-to-Poverty Ratio Number of Families Percentage
Below 50% of Poverty 8,688 2.2%
50-74% of Poverty 4,325 1.1%
75-99% of Poverty 5,679 1.4%
100-124% of Poverty 6,274 1.6%
125-149% of Poverty 6,491 1.6%
150-174% of Poverty 7,279 1.8%
175-184% of Poverty 2,530 0.6%
185-199% of Poverty 4,687 1.2%
200-299% of Poverty 32,623 8.2%
300-399% of Poverty 35,542 8.9%
400-499% of Poverty 35,389 8.9%
500%+ of Poverty 249,894 62.6%
Total Families 399,401 100.0%

Income-to-poverty ratio measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold, which varies by family size and composition. A ratio below 1.00 (100%) indicates the family lives in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 represent families with low incomes who may still struggle financially despite being technically above the poverty line. Families with ratios of 2.00 (200%) or higher generally have more economic security. Understanding poverty distribution helps communities allocate resources and develop programs to support families in need.


Middlesex County, Massachusetts 2023 Demographics: SNAP/Food Stamps Recipients

Stacked bar chart showing SNAP/Food Stamps recipient household composition by presence of children under 18 in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 630,939 total households in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Of these, 54,324 households (8.61%) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months.

Among SNAP-recipient households, 21,838 (40.20%) have children under 18 years, while 32,486 (59.80%) do not have children under 18 years.

Household Composition of SNAP Recipients

SNAP Recipient Household Composition in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2023
Household Type With Children Under 18 No Children Under 18
Married-Couple Family 8,655 (15.93%) 5,046 (9.29%)
Male Householder, No Spouse 2,321 (4.27%) 1,547 (2.85%)
Female Householder, No Spouse 10,629 (19.57%) 4,937 (9.09%)
Nonfamily Households 233 (0.43%) 20,956 (38.58%)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. The program aims to help eligible households purchase nutritious food. SNAP participation rates and household composition patterns provide important insights into economic hardship and food security challenges in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Households with children under 18 often face greater nutritional needs, while households without children may include seniors, disabled individuals, or working adults facing economic challenges.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The age breakdown for the population of Middlesex County, Massachusetts is detailed below, showing the percentage of the total population for each group:

Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years5.09%
5–17 years (children)14.54%
18–24 years (young adults)9.58%
25–34 years15.11%
35–54 years26.64%
55–64 years13.05%
65 years and over (seniors)16.00%

The racial and ethnic composition of Middlesex County, Massachusetts is dominated by: White Alone (Non-Hispanic): 66.66%, Asian Alone: 13.14%, Hispanic or Latino (Any Race): 8.99%. The complete breakdown includes 8 distinct racial and ethnic categories.

The median household income in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is $126,779. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the area, meaning half of households earn more than this amount and half earn less.

The household income distribution in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is: Very Low Income (under $20,000): 8.24%, Low Income ($20,000-$34,999): 5.80%, Lower Middle Income ($35,000-$49,999): 5.76%, Middle Income ($50,000-$74,999): 10.47%, Upper Middle Income ($75,000-$149,999): 27.11%, High Income ($150,000+): 42.63%.

Approximately 60.06% of households in Middlesex County, Massachusetts earn over $100,000 annually. This includes households earning between $100,000 and $124,999, $125,000 and $149,999, $150,000 and $199,999, and $200,000 or more.

The property value distribution for owner-occupied housing units in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is: Less than $25,000: 0.80%, $25,000-$49,999: 0.45%, $50,000-$99,999: 0.71%, $100,000-$199,999: 1.45%, $200,000-$499,999: 22.17%, $500,000-$999,999: 66.72%, $1,000,000 or more: 7.70%.

There are 388,864 owner-occupied housing units in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. This represents homes that are owned by the people living in them, as opposed to rental properties or vacant units.

Approximately 74.41% of owner-occupied housing units in Middlesex County, Massachusetts are valued over $500,000. This includes properties valued between $500,000 and $749,999, $750,000 and $999,999, $1,000,000 and $1,499,999, $1,500,000 and $1,999,999, and $2,000,000 or more.

In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 58.99% of the population aged 25 and older holds a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes those with bachelor's degrees as well as those with graduate or professional degrees.

The educational attainment breakdown for Middlesex County, Massachusetts (population 25+) is: Less than high school graduate: 6.56%, High school graduate (including equivalency): 17.48%, Some college or associate's degree: 16.97%, Bachelor's degree: 28.76%, Graduate or professional degree: 30.22%.

In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 93.44% of the population aged 25 and older has completed at least a high school education. This includes high school graduates, those with some college, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees.

In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 2.4% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 39,085 individuals out of a total population of 1,608,885 people.

The uninsured rates vary by age group in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. For young adults (18-34 years), 4.9% of males and 3.0% of females lack coverage. In the 35-64 age group, 3.4% of males and 2.2% of females are uninsured. These working-age populations typically face different coverage challenges than children or seniors.

Children under 18 in Middlesex County, Massachusetts have uninsured rates of 1.6% for males and 1.4% for females. Seniors aged 65 and older, who are typically covered by Medicare, have uninsured rates of 0.5% for males and 0.5% for females. These age groups generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs.

In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 88.9% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes native-born citizens and naturalized citizens. Out of a total population of 1,622,896 people, 1,443,070 are U.S. citizens.

Middlesex County, Massachusetts has 187,128 naturalized U.S. citizens, representing 11.5% of the total population. These are foreign-born individuals who have gone through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.

The nativity and citizenship breakdown for Middlesex County, Massachusetts is: 75.3% were born in the United States, 0.8% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, 1.3% were born abroad of American parent(s), 11.5% are foreign-born naturalized U.S. citizens, and 11.1% are foreign-born non-citizens.

In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 62.4% of workers commute by car, truck, or van, making it the most common means of transportation to work. Out of 881,959 total workers, 550,014 use personal vehicles for their commute.

70,145 workers in Middlesex County, Massachusetts use public transportation (excluding taxicabs) to commute to work, representing 8.0% of all workers. This includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries.

Alternative commute methods in Middlesex County, Massachusetts include: 22.2% work from home, 4.2% walk to work, 1.6% bicycle, and 1.6% use other means such as taxicabs or motorcycles. These alternatives to driving alone help reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.

"Class of worker" refers to the type of employer or work arrangement for employed civilians aged 16 and over in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It categorizes workers into private sector (for-profit and non-profit), government (local, state, and federal), self-employed, and unpaid family workers. This classification helps understand the employment structure and economic composition of the workforce.

According to the American Community Survey, Middlesex County, Massachusetts has 897,476 employed civilians aged 16 and over. The private for-profit sector employs the largest share of workers, with 38.3% of male workers and 29.8% of female workers in this category.

In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, there are 41,001 male government workers and 55,039 female government workers. Government employment includes local, state, and federal positions. This represents 4.6% of male workers and 6.1% of female workers.

Self-employment in Middlesex County, Massachusetts includes 25,567 males (2.8%) and 24,147 females (2.7%). Self-employed workers operate their own businesses that are not legally incorporated.

In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 54,324 households (8.61% of all households) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months. Out of 630,939 total households, these families rely on this federal nutrition assistance program to help purchase food.

Of the SNAP-receiving households in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 21,838 (40.20%) have children under 18 years. These families face additional nutritional needs and food security challenges as they work to provide adequate nutrition for growing children.

SNAP recipients in Middlesex County, Massachusetts include diverse household types. Among households with children, 10,629 (19.57%) are headed by a female householder with no spouse present, while 8,655 (15.93%) are married-couple families. The program also serves households without children, including seniors, disabled individuals, and working adults facing economic challenges.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is based on household income, resources, and size. In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, SNAP helps eligible households purchase nutritious food at authorized retailers. The program aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, there are 45,564 civilian veterans aged 18 and over living in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. These individuals have served on active duty in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. This number does not include those with only National Guard or Reserves training without active duty service.

The most common period of military service for veterans in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is Vietnam Era Only, with 15,575 veterans (34.2% of all veterans) who served during this period. The second most common period is Post-9/11 Only, with 6,619 veterans (14.5%).

"Period of service" categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Major periods include World War II (December 1941-December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950-January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964-April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990-August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Veterans may have served during multiple periods. Understanding the distribution of service periods helps communities in Middlesex County, Massachusetts provide appropriate services and support to their veteran population.

Veterans who served during the Gulf War era (1990-2001) and Post-9/11 era (2001-present) represent approximately 43.7% of all veterans in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. These more recent-era veterans, totaling around 19,934 individuals, often have different service experiences and support needs compared to veterans of earlier conflicts. They may benefit from targeted programs addressing issues such as transition to civilian life, employment assistance, and access to VA healthcare services.

In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 18,692 families (4.7% of all families) live below the federal poverty line. This means their household income is less than 100% of the poverty threshold established by the U.S. Census Bureau, which varies by family size and composition. Out of 399,401 total families, these households face significant economic challenges meeting basic needs.

"Income-to-poverty ratio" measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold. A ratio of 1.00 (100%) means the family's income equals the poverty line. Below 1.00 indicates poverty, while ratios above 1.00 show income levels relative to poverty. For example, a ratio of 2.00 (200%) means the family earns twice the poverty threshold. In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, this data helps identify not just families in poverty, but also those who are economically vulnerable despite being above the official poverty line.

Beyond families living in poverty, Middlesex County, Massachusetts has 59,884 families (15.0%) with incomes between 100% and 199% of the poverty level. These families are often called 'near poverty' or low-income households. Specifically, 20,044 families (5.0%) have incomes between 100% and 149% of poverty. While technically above the poverty line, these families often struggle with housing costs, healthcare, childcare, and other expenses, making them economically vulnerable.

In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 8,688 families (2.2%) live in extreme poverty, with incomes below 50% of the federal poverty threshold. These families face severe economic hardship and often require comprehensive assistance programs. On the other end of the spectrum, 320,825 families (80.3%) have incomes at least 200% above the poverty level, indicating greater financial stability and economic security.