Poverty Rate in Massachusetts
ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
Poverty Rate
10.0% −20.3% vs nat'l
Rank #10 of 52
How Massachusetts Compares
Massachusetts
10.0%
National
12.6%
20.3% below
State Ranking
| Rank | State | Value |
|---|---|---|
| #7 | Virginia | 9.9% |
| #8 | Washington | 9.9% |
| #9 | Connecticut | 10.0% |
| #10 | Massachusetts | 10.0% |
| #11 | Hawaii | 10.0% |
| #12 | Vermont | 10.1% |
| #13 | Alaska | 10.1% |
Highest Poverty Counties in Massachusetts
| # | County | Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nantucket County | 3.2% |
| 2 | Dukes County | 4.4% |
| 3 | Norfolk County | 6.7% |
| 4 | Plymouth County | 7.1% |
| 5 | Barnstable County | 7.7% |
| 6 | Middlesex County | 7.7% |
| 7 | Essex County | 9.4% |
| 8 | Worcester County | 10.3% |
| 9 | Hampshire County | 11.3% |
| 10 | Bristol County | 11.3% |
Lowest Poverty Counties in Massachusetts
| # | County | Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Hampden County | 16.3% |
| 13 | Suffolk County | 16.2% |
| 12 | Franklin County | 12.1% |
| 11 | Berkshire County | 11.4% |
| 10 | Bristol County | 11.3% |
| 9 | Hampshire County | 11.3% |
| 8 | Worcester County | 10.3% |
| 7 | Essex County | 9.4% |
| 6 | Middlesex County | 7.7% |
| 5 | Barnstable County | 7.7% |
Poverty Rate in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a poverty rate of 10.0%, ranking #10 of 52 among all 52 states and territories. This is 20.3% below the national value of 12.6%.
Across Massachusetts's 14 counties, poverty rate ranges from 16.3% to 3.2%. The county with the highest value is Nantucket County at 3.2%.
Percentage of the population living below the federal poverty line.
About this data
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). All values are estimates derived from survey samples and are subject to margin of error. For more information, see our methodology.