Population 38,302 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of ZIP 02138: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in ZIP 02138
Household size in ZIP 02138
| Period | ZIP 02138 | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.84 | 2.54 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.88 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.96 | 2.60 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.03 | 2.55 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.19 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
ZIP 02138 is a place of small households, averaging 2.03 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 1.84, even as the national average fell. Of the 343 Massachusetts ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only 15 have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in ZIP 02138
| Period | ZIP 02138 | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.8 | 38.9 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.6 | 39.7 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.9 | 40.4 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.7 | 40.8 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | −2.1 | +1.9 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 32.7, ZIP 02138 is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has dropped from 34.8 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. Only 15 of the 343 Massachusetts ZIP codes with 5,000+ people are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in ZIP 02138
| Period | ZIP 02138 | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 10.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.7% | 10.2% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.5% | 9.6% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 9.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in ZIP 02138: 4.2% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged down 1.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only 27 of the 343 Massachusetts ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in ZIP 02138
Renters in ZIP 02138
| Period | ZIP 02138 | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 59.5% | 36.8% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 59.4% | 38.5% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 60.6% | 38.3% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 58.0% | 38.4% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in ZIP 02138: 58.0% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. About four in ten owners (41.0%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Rentals cluster in the southeast; owners are most common in the west. The renter share is down 1.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in ZIP 02138
| Period | ZIP 02138 | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 8.1% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.3% | 7.4% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.8% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.1% | 6.7% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.1% of the housing in ZIP 02138, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 3.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in ZIP 02138
| Period | ZIP 02138 | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1942 | 1958 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1945 | 1959 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1948 | 1961 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1951 | 1964 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
ZIP 02138 is a place of older homes: half were built before 1951, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1942 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in ZIP 02138
| Period | ZIP 02138 | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,453 | $1,171 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,672 | $1,251 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,259 | $1,537 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,786 | $2,051 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,333 | +$881 | +$775 | +$606 |
The median renter in ZIP 02138 pays $2,786 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,333 a month from 2006–10, a 92% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 32.8% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the south and lowest in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in ZIP 02138
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 02138
| Period | ZIP 02138 | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.5% | 42.2% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 83.9% | 44.1% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 86.5% | 48.2% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 84.8% | 51.9% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +9.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in ZIP 02138: 84.8% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree is up 3.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only 13 of the 343 Massachusetts ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in ZIP 02138
| Period | ZIP 02138 | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 98.0% | 89.8% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 97.4% | 90.6% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.8% | 91.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.7% | 91.8% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | +2.1 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in ZIP 02138: 98.7% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 0.6 points, a smaller shift than nationally. Only 15 of the 343 Massachusetts ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in ZIP 02138
| Period | ZIP 02138 | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.7% | 7.0% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.8% | 8.0% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.5% | 4.6% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.3% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in ZIP 02138 has been strong: just 3.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 2.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
ZIP 02138 compared with nearby ZIP codes
| ZIP code | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP 02138 | 2.03 | 32.7 | 4.2% | 58.0% | 14.1% | 1951 | $2,786 | 84.8% | 98.7% | 3.3% |
| ZIP 02163 | 1.79 | 26.2 | 9.8% | 100.0% | 19.6% | 2006 | $3,501 | 95.6% | 100.0% | 6.6% |
| ZIP 02140 | 2.16 | 34.7 | 6.1% | 65.2% | 11.2% | 1960 | $2,608 | 77.8% | 94.9% | 2.4% |
| ZIP 02143 | 2.09 | 33.0 | 2.8% | 68.4% | 7.1% | 1945 | $2,448 | 74.9% | 94.1% | 3.2% |
| ZIP 02139 | 2.14 | 30.7 | 8.7% | 67.8% | 7.3% | 1958 | $2,656 | 80.8% | 95.6% | 3.8% |
| ZIP 02144 | 2.26 | 32.2 | 2.8% | 63.9% | 6.8% | 1941 | $2,685 | 76.2% | 96.5% | 2.7% |
| ZIP 02134 | 2.22 | 28.5 | 6.5% | 87.3% | 10.5% | 1957 | $2,485 | 72.8% | 95.1% | 5.9% |
| ZIP 02145 | 2.35 | 34.1 | 6.0% | 64.7% | 5.6% | 1949 | $2,419 | 58.8% | 88.9% | 3.4% |
| ZIP 02141 | 1.93 | 31.1 | 5.6% | 74.9% | 13.2% | 1969 | $2,970 | 76.0% | 94.4% | 3.5% |
| ZIP 02446 | 2.17 | 35.4 | 3.8% | 62.1% | 5.7% | 1948 | $2,840 | 85.1% | 97.5% | 4.4% |
| ZIP 02142 | 1.78 | 30.2 | 4.9% | 91.6% | 11.8% | 1991 | $3,318 | 91.4% | 99.3% | 2.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Zip codes with similar populations: 91326, CA · 28411, NC · 48105, MI · 46901, IN · 55110, MN · 02127, MA · 07024, NJ · 98198, WA · 46168, IN · 95695, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up ZIP 02138. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.