Brookline, MA Demographics

A map of Brookline's Population by Race

Brookline, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 63,266, a less than 1% change from the 63,191 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 64.1% White, 19.3% Asian, 6.8% Multiracial, 6.2% Hispanic, 3.0% Black, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Brookline, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Brookline has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more 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 Brookline, that probability was 52.9% in 2020 and 54.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Brookline is ranked the 18th 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). Brookline was ranked the 18th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Brookline's White Population

40,566 residents of Brookline, or 64.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Brookline is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Brookline ranks 219th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Brookline's White population has declined by an estimated 1.6%. White residents' share of Brookline's population has decreased from 65.3% to 64.1%.

Brookline is more White than neighboring Cambridge (53.8% White). Brookline is less White than neighboring Newton (68.4% White), Somerville (65.6% White), Belmont (68.8% White), and Dedham (78.8% White).

Brookline's Black Population

1,890 residents of Brookline, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Brookline is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Brookline ranks 74th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Brookline's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.6%. Black residents' share of Brookline's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.0%.

Brookline is more Black than neighboring Newton (2.4% Black), and Belmont (1.6% Black). Brookline is less Black than neighboring Cambridge (10.3% Black), Somerville (4.4% Black), and Dedham (6.4% Black).

Brookline's Asian Population

12,185 residents of Brookline, or 19.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Brookline is considerably higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Brookline ranks 5th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Brookline's Asian population has remained roughly the same. Asian residents' share of Brookline's population has remained roughly unchanged at 19.3%.

Brookline is more Asian than neighboring Newton (17.4% Asian), Somerville (11.5% Asian), and Dedham (2.8% Asian). Brookline is less Asian than neighboring Cambridge (20.2% Asian), and Belmont (19.5% Asian).

Brookline's Hispanic Population

3,946 residents of Brookline, or 6.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Brookline is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Brookline ranks 68th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Brookline's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 7.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Brookline's population has decreased from 6.8% to 6.2%.

Brookline is more Hispanic than neighboring Newton (4.5% Hispanic), and Belmont (4.9% Hispanic). Brookline is less Hispanic than neighboring Cambridge (8.8% Hispanic), Somerville (11.4% Hispanic), and Dedham (7.9% Hispanic).

Brookline's Native American/Other Population

395 residents of Brookline, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Brookline is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Brookline ranks 162nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Brookline's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 10.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Brookline's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Brookline is more Native American/Other than neighboring Dedham (0.2% Native American/Other). Brookline is less Native American/Other than neighboring Cambridge (1% Native American/Other), Newton (1.8% Native American/Other), and Somerville (1.5% Native American/Other).

Brookline's Multiracial Population

4,284 residents of Brookline, or 6.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Brookline is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Brookline ranks 61st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Brookline's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 34.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Brookline's population has increased from 5.0% to 6.8%.

Brookline is more Multiracial than neighboring Cambridge (5.8% Multiracial), Newton (5.5% Multiracial), Somerville (5.6% Multiracial), Belmont (4.5% Multiracial), and Dedham (3.8% 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.