Wakefield, MA Demographics

A map of Wakefield's Population by Race

Wakefield, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 27,793, a slight increase from the 27,090 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 85.5% White, 5.7% Asian, 4.6% Multiracial, 2.7% Hispanic, 0.8% Native American/Other, and 0.7% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Wakefield, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Wakefield is about as racially diverse as it was in 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 Wakefield, that probability was 26.0% in 2020 and 26.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Wakefield is ranked the 59th 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). Wakefield was ranked the 60th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Wakefield's White Population

23,757 residents of Wakefield, or 85.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Wakefield is significantly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Wakefield ranks 122nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wakefield's White population has grown by an estimated 2.3%. White residents' share of Wakefield's population has remained roughly unchanged at 85.5%.

Wakefield is more White than neighboring Lynnfield (81.2% White), Stoneham (81% White), Melrose (76.9% White), Reading (84.3% White), and Saugus (70.7% White).

Wakefield's Black Population

192 residents of Wakefield, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Wakefield is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Wakefield ranks 140th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wakefield's Black population has declined by an estimated 53.2%. Black residents' share of Wakefield's population has decreased from 1.5% to 0.7%.

Wakefield is more Black than neighboring Reading (0.5% Black). Wakefield is less Black than neighboring Lynnfield (1% Black), Stoneham (1.2% Black), Melrose (1.6% Black), and Saugus (5.4% Black).

Wakefield's Asian Population

1,588 residents of Wakefield, or 5.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Wakefield is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Wakefield ranks 63rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wakefield's Asian population has grown by an estimated 38.9%. Asian residents' share of Wakefield's population has increased from 4.2% to 5.7%.

Wakefield is more Asian than neighboring Saugus (3.5% Asian). Wakefield is less Asian than neighboring Lynnfield (7% Asian), Stoneham (6.8% Asian), Melrose (11% Asian), and Reading (6.3% Asian).

Wakefield's Hispanic Population

755 residents of Wakefield, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Wakefield is considerably lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Wakefield ranks 120th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wakefield's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 34.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Wakefield's population has decreased from 4.2% to 2.7%.

Wakefield is less Hispanic than neighboring Lynnfield (5.6% Hispanic), Stoneham (4.7% Hispanic), Melrose (5.2% Hispanic), Reading (5.6% Hispanic), and Saugus (12.4% Hispanic).

Wakefield's Native American/Other Population

209 residents of Wakefield, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Wakefield is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Wakefield ranks 131st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wakefield's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 4.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Wakefield's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Wakefield is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lynnfield (0.4% Native American/Other), Stoneham (0.6% Native American/Other), Melrose (0.5% Native American/Other), and Reading (0.4% Native American/Other). Wakefield is less Native American/Other than neighboring Saugus (3.8% Native American/Other).

Wakefield's Multiracial Population

1,292 residents of Wakefield, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Wakefield is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Wakefield ranks 170th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wakefield's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 36.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Wakefield's population has increased from 3.5% to 4.6%.

Wakefield is more Multiracial than neighboring Reading (3% Multiracial), and Saugus (4.1% Multiracial). Wakefield is less Multiracial than neighboring Lynnfield (4.8% Multiracial), Stoneham (5.7% Multiracial), and Melrose (5% 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.