Melrose, MA Demographics

A map of Melrose's Population by Race

Melrose, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 29,650, a less than 1% change from the 29,817 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 76.9% White, 11.0% Asian, 5.2% Hispanic, 5.0% Multiracial, 1.6% Black, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Melrose, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Melrose 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 Melrose, that probability was 35.6% in 2020 and 39.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Melrose is ranked the 52nd 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). Melrose was ranked the 49th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Melrose's White Population

22,792 residents of Melrose, or 76.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Melrose is considerably higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Melrose ranks 164th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Melrose's White population has declined by an estimated 4.0%. White residents' share of Melrose's population has decreased from 79.6% to 76.9%.

Melrose is more White than neighboring Malden (38.7% White), Saugus (70.7% White), and Everett (34.4% White). Melrose is less White than neighboring Stoneham (81% White), and Wakefield (85.5% White).

Melrose's Black Population

467 residents of Melrose, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Melrose is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Melrose ranks 73rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Melrose's Black population has declined by an estimated 50.2%. Black residents' share of Melrose's population has decreased from 3.1% to 1.6%.

Melrose is more Black than neighboring Stoneham (1.2% Black), and Wakefield (0.7% Black). Melrose is less Black than neighboring Malden (13.2% Black), Saugus (5.4% Black), and Everett (9.4% Black).

Melrose's Asian Population

3,251 residents of Melrose, or 11.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Melrose is slightly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Melrose ranks 35th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Melrose's Asian population has grown by an estimated 46.8%. Asian residents' share of Melrose's population has increased from 7.4% to 11.0%.

Melrose is more Asian than neighboring Stoneham (6.8% Asian), Saugus (3.5% Asian), Wakefield (5.7% Asian), and Everett (8.2% Asian). Melrose is less Asian than neighboring Malden (28.1% Asian).

Melrose's Hispanic Population

1,532 residents of Melrose, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Melrose is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Melrose ranks 112th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Melrose's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 13.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Melrose's population has increased from 4.5% to 5.2%.

Melrose is more Hispanic than neighboring Stoneham (4.7% Hispanic), and Wakefield (2.7% Hispanic). Melrose is less Hispanic than neighboring Malden (9.5% Hispanic), Saugus (12.4% Hispanic), and Everett (32.5% Hispanic).

Melrose's Native American/Other Population

140 residents of Melrose, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Melrose is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Melrose ranks 120th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Melrose's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 45.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Melrose's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Melrose is less Native American/Other than neighboring Malden (2.5% Native American/Other), Stoneham (0.6% Native American/Other), Saugus (3.8% Native American/Other), Wakefield (0.8% Native American/Other), and Everett (4.7% Native American/Other).

Melrose's Multiracial Population

1,468 residents of Melrose, or 5.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Melrose is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Melrose ranks 95th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Melrose's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 11.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Melrose's population has increased from 4.4% to 5.0%.

Melrose is more Multiracial than neighboring Saugus (4.1% Multiracial), and Wakefield (4.6% Multiracial). Melrose is less Multiracial than neighboring Malden (8% Multiracial), Stoneham (5.7% Multiracial), and Everett (10.8% 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.