Medford, MA Demographics

A map of Medford's Population by Race

Medford, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 59,354, a less than 1% change from the 59,659 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 66.0% White, 13.0% Asian, 8.7% Hispanic, 6.3% Black, 4.4% Multiracial, and 1.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Medford, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Medford has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is slightly 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 Medford, that probability was 52.7% in 2020 and 53.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Medford is ranked the 21st 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). Medford was ranked the 20th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Medford's White Population

39,188 residents of Medford, or 66.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Medford is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Medford ranks 214th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Medford's White population has declined by an estimated 1.6%. White residents' share of Medford's population has decreased from 66.8% to 66.0%.

Medford is more White than neighboring Somerville (65.6% White), Cambridge (53.8% White), and Malden (38.7% White). Medford is less White than neighboring Winchester (70.5% White), and Stoneham (81% White).

Medford's Black Population

3,745 residents of Medford, or 6.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Medford is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Medford ranks 16th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Medford's Black population has declined by an estimated 22.6%. Black residents' share of Medford's population has decreased from 8.1% to 6.3%.

Medford is more Black than neighboring Somerville (4.4% Black), Winchester (3% Black), and Stoneham (1.2% Black). Medford is less Black than neighboring Cambridge (10.3% Black), and Malden (13.2% Black).

Medford's Asian Population

7,743 residents of Medford, or 13.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Medford is higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Medford ranks 21st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Medford's Asian population has grown by an estimated 13.6%. Asian residents' share of Medford's population has increased from 11.4% to 13.0%.

Medford is more Asian than neighboring Somerville (11.5% Asian), and Stoneham (6.8% Asian). Medford is less Asian than neighboring Winchester (15.6% Asian), Cambridge (20.2% Asian), and Malden (28.1% Asian).

Medford's Hispanic Population

5,149 residents of Medford, or 8.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Medford is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Medford ranks 79th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Medford's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 39.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Medford's population has increased from 6.2% to 8.7%.

Medford is more Hispanic than neighboring Winchester (3.9% Hispanic), and Stoneham (4.7% Hispanic). Medford is less Hispanic than neighboring Somerville (11.4% Hispanic), Cambridge (8.8% Hispanic), and Malden (9.5% Hispanic).

Medford's Native American/Other Population

923 residents of Medford, or 1.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Medford is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Medford ranks 35th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Medford's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 24.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Medford's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Medford is more Native American/Other than neighboring Somerville (1.5% Native American/Other), Winchester (1% Native American/Other), Cambridge (1% Native American/Other), and Stoneham (0.6% Native American/Other). Medford is less Native American/Other than neighboring Malden (2.5% Native American/Other).

Medford's Multiracial Population

2,606 residents of Medford, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Medford is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Medford ranks 41st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Medford's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 19.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Medford's population has decreased from 5.4% to 4.4%.

Medford is less Multiracial than neighboring Somerville (5.6% Multiracial), Winchester (6% Multiracial), Cambridge (5.8% Multiracial), Malden (8% Multiracial), and Stoneham (5.7% 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.