Chelsea, MA Demographics

A map of Chelsea's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	26,860	26,826	67.3%	65.8%
White	7,070	8,242	17.7%	20.2%
Black	2,828	2,667	7.1%	6.5%
Multiracial	1,937	1,027	4.9%	2.5%
Asian	832	1,299	2.1%	3.2%
Native American/Other	381	726	1.0%	1.8%

Chelsea, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 39,908, a slight decrease from the 40,787 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 67.3% Hispanic, 17.7% White, 7.1% Black, 4.9% Multiracial, 2.1% Asian, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Chelsea, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Chelsea has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is 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 Chelsea, that probability was 52.0% in 2020 and 50.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Chelsea is ranked the 38th 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). Chelsea was ranked the 38th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Chelsea's White Population

7,070 residents of Chelsea, or 17.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Chelsea is significantly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Chelsea ranks 247th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chelsea's White population has declined by an estimated 14.2%. White residents' share of Chelsea's population has decreased from 20.2% to 17.7%.

Chelsea is less White than neighboring Everett (34.4% White), Malden (38.7% White), Revere (46.6% White), Melrose (76.9% White), and Boston (44.1% White).

Chelsea's Black Population

2,828 residents of Chelsea, or 7.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Chelsea is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Chelsea ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chelsea's Black population has grown by an estimated 6.0%. Black residents' share of Chelsea's population has increased from 6.5% to 7.1%.

Chelsea is more Black than neighboring Revere (4.4% Black), and Melrose (1.6% Black). Chelsea is less Black than neighboring Everett (9.4% Black), Malden (13.2% Black), and Boston (19.3% Black).

Chelsea's Asian Population

832 residents of Chelsea, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Chelsea is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Chelsea ranks 72nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chelsea's Asian population has declined by an estimated 36.0%. Asian residents' share of Chelsea's population has decreased from 3.2% to 2.1%.

Chelsea is less Asian than neighboring Everett (8.2% Asian), Malden (28.1% Asian), Revere (4.2% Asian), Melrose (11% Asian), and Boston (10.3% Asian).

Chelsea's Hispanic Population

26,860 residents of Chelsea, or 67.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Chelsea is significantly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Chelsea ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chelsea's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Chelsea's population has increased from 65.8% to 67.3%.

Chelsea is more Hispanic than neighboring Everett (32.5% Hispanic), Malden (9.5% Hispanic), Revere (39.3% Hispanic), Melrose (5.2% Hispanic), and Boston (19.3% Hispanic).

Chelsea's Native American/Other Population

381 residents of Chelsea, 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 Chelsea is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Chelsea ranks 43rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chelsea's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 47.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Chelsea's population has decreased from 1.8% to 1.0%.

Chelsea is more Native American/Other than neighboring Melrose (0.5% Native American/Other). Chelsea is less Native American/Other than neighboring Everett (4.7% Native American/Other), Malden (2.5% Native American/Other), Revere (1.8% Native American/Other), and Boston (1.2% Native American/Other).

Chelsea's Multiracial Population

1,937 residents of Chelsea, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Chelsea is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Chelsea ranks 231st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chelsea's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 88.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Chelsea's population has increased from 2.5% to 4.9%.

Chelsea is more Multiracial than neighboring Revere (3.8% Multiracial). Chelsea is less Multiracial than neighboring Everett (10.8% Multiracial), Malden (8% Multiracial), Melrose (5% Multiracial), and Boston (5.9% 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.