Population 46,318 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Arlington
Household size in Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.28 | 2.54 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.37 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.42 | 2.60 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.41 | 2.55 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.13 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Arlington has 2.41 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.28 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the south and smallest in the center.
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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.4 | 38.9 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.8 | 39.7 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.6 | 40.4 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.6 | 40.8 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.2 | +1.9 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Arlington skews a little older than the country: its median age is 42.6, against 40.1 nationally. The median age is little changed from 2006–10, while the national median rose.
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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.8% | 10.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.4% | 10.2% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.4% | 9.6% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 9.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.2% of households in Arlington, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 1.6 points, in line with the national trend. Arlington has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Massachusetts cities.
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 Arlington
Renters in Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.2% | 36.8% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 38.9% | 38.5% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 42.0% | 38.3% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 38.4% | 38.4% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly four in ten households in Arlington rent their homes (38.4%), a bit above the national share of 34.8%. Just over a third of owners (35.6%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the west. The renter share has edged down 0.8 points since 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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.7% | 8.1% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.0% | 7.4% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.2% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.6% | 6.7% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Arlington: just 5.6% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. The picture is much the same across the Boston area. Vacancy is down 1.1 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1945 | 1958 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1946 | 1959 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1948 | 1961 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1947 | 1964 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Arlington is a place of older homes: half were built before 1947, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the south has the oldest housing. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only ten have older homes.
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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,296 | $1,171 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,414 | $1,251 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,747 | $1,537 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,047 | $2,051 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$751 | +$881 | +$775 | +$606 |
The median renter in Arlington pays $2,047 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $751 a month since 2006–10, up 58%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 24.6% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northwest; the highest are in the southeast.
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 Arlington
Bachelor's degrees in Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.1% | 42.2% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 67.9% | 44.1% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 71.4% | 48.2% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 76.9% | 51.9% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +14.8 pts | +9.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
Arlington is highly educated: about three-quarters of adults 25 and older (76.9%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 14.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 27 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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.7% | 89.8% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.1% | 90.6% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.6% | 91.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.1% | 91.8% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +2.1 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Arlington: 98.1% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 2.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 27 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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.0% | 7.0% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 8.0% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.3% | 4.6% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.8% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Arlington has been low: just 2.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 2.2 points since 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).
Arlington compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | 2.41 | 42.6 | 5.2% | 38.4% | 5.6% | 1947 | $2,047 | 76.9% | 98.1% | 2.8% |
| Belmont | 2.61 | 44.3 | 7.1% | 34.7% | 5.9% | 1946 | $2,468 | 80.9% | 97.6% | 4.5% |
| Winchester | 2.82 | 43.4 | 6.6% | 18.3% | 3.0% | 1952 | $2,573 | 79.9% | 97.0% | 3.9% |
| Watertown | 2.47 | 43.4 | 12.3% | 49.8% | 3.6% | 1938 | $3,082 | 80.7% | 99.7% | 3.2% |
| Medford | 2.42 | 38.0 | 7.9% | 45.4% | 7.1% | 1950 | $2,421 | 59.6% | 94.1% | 3.9% |
| Watertown Town | 2.17 | 40.8 | 5.7% | 52.3% | 5.9% | 1952 | $2,543 | 66.5% | 94.5% | 4.8% |
| Somerville | 2.27 | 32.9 | 3.9% | 65.7% | 6.6% | 1945 | $2,529 | 70.5% | 93.3% | 3.2% |
| Lexington | 2.76 | 47.5 | 7.1% | 19.4% | 3.3% | 1966 | $2,896 | 83.8% | 96.8% | 2.8% |
| Cambridge | 2.07 | 32.1 | 6.3% | 66.6% | 11.0% | 1959 | $2,761 | 81.4% | 96.4% | 3.3% |
| Waltham | 2.25 | 37.4 | 7.4% | 50.3% | 5.6% | 1964 | $2,231 | 58.5% | 92.6% | 3.9% |
| Allston | 2.21 | 28.4 | 6.2% | 87.6% | 10.5% | 1955 | $2,483 | 73.5% | 95.3% | 5.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Seguin, TX · Bountiful, UT · Neenah, WI · Columbus, MS · Georgetown, KY · Brunswick, OH · Rancho Palos Verdes, CA · Duncanville, TX · Shakopee, MN · Springfield, VA
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 Arlington. 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.
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