Cambridge, MA Demographics

A map of Cambridge's Population by Race

Cambridge, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 118,796, a less than 1% change from the 118,403 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 53.8% White, 20.2% Asian, 10.3% Black, 8.8% Hispanic, 5.8% Multiracial, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Cambridge, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Cambridge has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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 Cambridge, that probability was 63.5% in 2020 and 64.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Cambridge is ranked the 4th 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). Cambridge was ranked the 4th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Cambridge's White Population

63,870 residents of Cambridge, or 53.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Cambridge is considerably lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Cambridge ranks 231st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cambridge's White population has declined by an estimated 2.6%. White residents' share of Cambridge's population has decreased from 55.4% to 53.8%.

Cambridge is less White than neighboring Somerville (65.6% White), Medford (66% White), Brookline (64.1% White), Arlington (73.8% White), and Belmont (68.8% White).

Cambridge's Black Population

12,226 residents of Cambridge, or 10.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Cambridge is slightly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Cambridge ranks 12th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cambridge's Black population has grown by an estimated 1.7%. Black residents' share of Cambridge's population has remained roughly unchanged at 10.3%.

Cambridge is more Black than neighboring Somerville (4.4% Black), Medford (6.3% Black), Brookline (3% Black), Arlington (2% Black), and Belmont (1.6% Black).

Cambridge's Asian Population

24,049 residents of Cambridge, or 20.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Cambridge is considerably higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Cambridge ranks 6th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cambridge's Asian population has grown by an estimated 6.3%. Asian residents' share of Cambridge's population has increased from 19.1% to 20.2%.

Cambridge is more Asian than neighboring Somerville (11.5% Asian), Medford (13% Asian), Brookline (19.3% Asian), Arlington (13% Asian), and Belmont (19.5% Asian).

Cambridge's Hispanic Population

10,505 residents of Cambridge, or 8.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Cambridge is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Cambridge ranks 45th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cambridge's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 2.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Cambridge's population has remained roughly unchanged at 8.8%.

Cambridge is more Hispanic than neighboring Medford (8.7% Hispanic), Brookline (6.2% Hispanic), Arlington (4.9% Hispanic), and Belmont (4.9% Hispanic). Cambridge is less Hispanic than neighboring Somerville (11.4% Hispanic).

Cambridge's Native American/Other Population

1,233 residents of Cambridge, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Cambridge is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Cambridge ranks 95th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cambridge's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 3.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Cambridge's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Cambridge is more Native American/Other than neighboring Brookline (0.6% Native American/Other), Arlington (0.9% Native American/Other), and Belmont (0.6% Native American/Other). Cambridge is less Native American/Other than neighboring Somerville (1.5% Native American/Other), and Medford (1.6% Native American/Other).

Cambridge's Multiracial Population

6,913 residents of Cambridge, or 5.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Cambridge is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Cambridge ranks 49th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cambridge's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 10.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Cambridge's population has increased from 5.3% to 5.8%.

Cambridge is more Multiracial than neighboring Somerville (5.6% Multiracial), Medford (4.4% Multiracial), Arlington (5.4% Multiracial), and Belmont (4.5% Multiracial). Cambridge is less Multiracial than neighboring Brookline (6.8% 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.