Arlington, MA Demographics

A map of Arlington's Population by Race

Arlington, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 46,350, a less than 1% change from the 46,308 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 73.8% White, 13.0% Asian, 5.4% Multiracial, 4.9% Hispanic, 2.0% Black, and 0.9% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Arlington, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Arlington has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Massachusetts overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Arlington, that probability was 41.5% in 2020 and 43.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Arlington is ranked the 29th most populous place in Massachusetts, out of 248 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Arlington was ranked the 29th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Arlington's White Population

34,217 residents of Arlington, or 73.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Arlington is higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Arlington ranks 187th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Arlington's White population has declined by an estimated 1.7%. White residents' share of Arlington's population has decreased from 75.2% to 73.8%.

Arlington is more White than neighboring Belmont (68.8% White), Winchester (70.5% White), Medford (66% White), Cambridge (53.8% White), and Somerville (65.6% White).

Arlington's Black Population

906 residents of Arlington, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Arlington is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Arlington ranks 99th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Arlington's Black population has declined by an estimated 13.9%. Black residents' share of Arlington's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.0%.

Arlington is more Black than neighboring Belmont (1.6% Black). Arlington is less Black than neighboring Winchester (3% Black), Medford (6.3% Black), Cambridge (10.3% Black), and Somerville (4.4% Black).

Arlington's Asian Population

6,024 residents of Arlington, or 13.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Arlington is higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Arlington ranks 18th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Arlington's Asian population has grown by an estimated 6.8%. Asian residents' share of Arlington's population has increased from 12.2% to 13.0%.

Arlington is more Asian than neighboring Somerville (11.5% Asian). Arlington is less Asian than neighboring Belmont (19.5% Asian), Winchester (15.6% Asian), and Cambridge (20.2% Asian).

Arlington's Hispanic Population

2,266 residents of Arlington, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Arlington is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Arlington ranks 109th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Arlington's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Arlington's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.9%.

Arlington is more Hispanic than neighboring Winchester (3.9% Hispanic). Arlington is less Hispanic than neighboring Medford (8.7% Hispanic), Cambridge (8.8% Hispanic), and Somerville (11.4% Hispanic).

Arlington's Native American/Other Population

415 residents of Arlington, or 0.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Arlington is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Arlington ranks 165th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Arlington's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 31.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Arlington's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Arlington is more Native American/Other than neighboring Belmont (0.6% Native American/Other). Arlington is less Native American/Other than neighboring Winchester (1% Native American/Other), Medford (1.6% Native American/Other), Cambridge (1% Native American/Other), and Somerville (1.5% Native American/Other).

Arlington's Multiracial Population

2,522 residents of Arlington, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Arlington is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Arlington ranks 57th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Arlington's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 7.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Arlington's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.4%.

Arlington is more Multiracial than neighboring Belmont (4.5% Multiracial), and Medford (4.4% Multiracial). Arlington is less Multiracial than neighboring Winchester (6% Multiracial), Cambridge (5.8% Multiracial), and Somerville (5.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.