Waltham, MA Demographics

A map of Waltham's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	37,383	39,370	57.6%	60.4%
Hispanic	10,317	10,719	15.9%	16.4%
Asian	8,189	7,926	12.6%	12.2%
Black	5,406	4,446	8.3%	6.8%
Multiracial	2,779	2,003	4.3%	3.1%
Native American/Other	828	754	1.3%	1.2%

Waltham, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 64,902, a less than 1% change from the 65,218 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 57.6% White, 15.9% Hispanic, 12.6% Asian, 8.3% Black, 4.3% Multiracial, and 1.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Waltham, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Waltham 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 Waltham, that probability was 58.8% in 2020 and 61.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Waltham is ranked the 17th 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). Waltham was ranked the 17th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Waltham's White Population

37,383 residents of Waltham, or 57.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Waltham is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Waltham ranks 224th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waltham's White population has declined by an estimated 5.0%. White residents' share of Waltham's population has decreased from 60.4% to 57.6%.

Waltham is more White than neighboring Lexington (55.2% White), and Hanscom AFB (34.4% White). Waltham is less White than neighboring Belmont (68.8% White), Newton (68.4% White), and Arlington (73.8% White).

Waltham's Black Population

5,406 residents of Waltham, or 8.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Waltham is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Waltham ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waltham's Black population has grown by an estimated 21.6%. Black residents' share of Waltham's population has increased from 6.8% to 8.3%.

Waltham is more Black than neighboring Lexington (1.7% Black), Belmont (1.6% Black), Newton (2.4% Black), Hanscom AFB (0.2% Black), and Arlington (2% Black).

Waltham's Asian Population

8,189 residents of Waltham, or 12.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Waltham is higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Waltham ranks 19th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waltham's Asian population has grown by an estimated 3.3%. Asian residents' share of Waltham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 12.6%.

Waltham is less Asian than neighboring Lexington (33.8% Asian), Belmont (19.5% Asian), Newton (17.4% Asian), Hanscom AFB (21.1% Asian), and Arlington (13% Asian).

Waltham's Hispanic Population

10,317 residents of Waltham, or 15.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Waltham is slightly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Waltham ranks 25th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waltham's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 3.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Waltham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 15.9%.

Waltham is more Hispanic than neighboring Lexington (3.5% Hispanic), Belmont (4.9% Hispanic), Newton (4.5% Hispanic), and Arlington (4.9% Hispanic). Waltham is less Hispanic than neighboring Hanscom AFB (37% Hispanic).

Waltham's Native American/Other Population

828 residents of Waltham, or 1.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Waltham is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Waltham ranks 77th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waltham's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 9.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Waltham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Waltham is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lexington (0.9% Native American/Other), Belmont (0.6% Native American/Other), and Arlington (0.9% Native American/Other). Waltham is less Native American/Other than neighboring Newton (1.8% Native American/Other), and Hanscom AFB (3.5% Native American/Other).

Waltham's Multiracial Population

2,779 residents of Waltham, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Waltham is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Waltham ranks 196th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waltham's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 38.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Waltham's population has increased from 3.1% to 4.3%.

Waltham is more Multiracial than neighboring Hanscom AFB (3.7% Multiracial). Waltham is less Multiracial than neighboring Lexington (4.9% Multiracial), Belmont (4.5% Multiracial), Newton (5.5% Multiracial), and Arlington (5.4% 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.