Population 20,933 · 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 Dukes County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Dukes County
Household size in Dukes County
| Period | Dukes County | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.90 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.85 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.52 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.86 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Dukes County holds 2.86 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has edged down from 2.90 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. No other Massachusetts county has larger 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 Dukes County
| Period | Dukes County | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.8 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.8 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 48.2 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 50.5 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.7 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Dukes County skews older: half of its residents are older than 50.5, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 44.8 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Massachusetts county is older.
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 Dukes County
| Period | Dukes County | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.6% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.4% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Dukes County (12.4%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Single parents are more common here than in Massachusetts overall (10.6%). The single-parent share has risen 4.2 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Dukes County
Renters in Dukes County
| Period | Dukes County | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.9% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.0% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.7% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 17.9% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Dukes County is largely a place of homeowners: only 17.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly half of owners (46.8%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. No other Massachusetts county has a lower share of renters.
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 Dukes County
| Period | Dukes County | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 61.0% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 61.2% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 57.2% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 51.7% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −9.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Dukes County: 51.7% of homes are empty, 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. Dukes County has the highest vacancy rate of any Massachusetts county.
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 Dukes County
| Period | Dukes County | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1979 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Dukes County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1981, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are newer than in Massachusetts overall, where the median home dates to 1963. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the north. Only one other Massachusetts county has newer 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 Dukes County
| Period | Dukes County | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,138 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,387 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,577 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,542 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$404 | +$775 | +$606 |
The median renter in Dukes County pays $1,542 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in Massachusetts as a whole ($1,860). Rent has climbed $404 a month since 2006–10, up 35%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.7% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Dukes County
Bachelor's degrees in Dukes County
| Period | Dukes County | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.5% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 41.6% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 45.4% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 53.3% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.8 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
Dukes County is highly educated: just over half of adults 25 and older (53.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 10.8 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the east.
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 Dukes County
| Period | Dukes County | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.2% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.9% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.3% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.2% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Dukes County: 96.2% 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 2.0 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Massachusetts county has 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 Dukes County
| Period | Dukes County | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.9% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.5%, unemployment in Dukes County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Few Massachusetts counties have higher unemployment: only two of 14. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Dukes County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dukes County | 2.86 | 50.5 | 12.4% | 17.9% | 51.7% | 1981 | $1,542 | 53.3% | 96.2% | 5.5% |
| Newport County | 2.25 | 46.8 | 6.9% | 32.1% | 14.5% | 1965 | $1,760 | 54.1% | 95.6% | 5.6% |
| Washington County | 2.38 | 46.0 | 7.7% | 22.5% | 16.6% | 1976 | $1,461 | 53.6% | 95.8% | 4.6% |
| New London County | 2.38 | 43.4 | 11.4% | 32.4% | 9.7% | 1968 | $1,478 | 36.6% | 93.5% | 4.9% |
| Middlesex County | 2.35 | 45.3 | 8.8% | 25.0% | 9.5% | 1970 | $1,540 | 44.7% | 95.2% | 3.9% |
| New Haven County | 2.53 | 41.7 | 13.5% | 37.6% | 8.0% | 1964 | $1,584 | 38.5% | 90.6% | 6.4% |
| Putnam County | 2.72 | 44.4 | 7.9% | 16.2% | 8.6% | 1968 | $1,962 | 45.3% | 92.8% | 4.5% |
| Orange County | 3.09 | 37.6 | 10.4% | 32.2% | 8.9% | 1976 | $1,781 | 30.9% | 88.8% | 5.3% |
| Pike County | 2.54 | 48.4 | 8.7% | 13.0% | 31.0% | 1984 | $1,426 | 30.0% | 92.9% | 7.6% |
| Wayne County | 2.35 | 49.3 | 9.3% | 19.5% | 28.3% | 1977 | $1,056 | 24.3% | 92.4% | 5.8% |
| Lackawanna County | 2.40 | 42.6 | 12.5% | 34.6% | 11.9% | 1957 | $1,067 | 30.8% | 91.6% | 5.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Inyo County, CA · Robertson County, TX · Roane County, WV · Ripley County, MO · Ripley County, IN · Rio Grande County, CO · Richland Parish, LA · Richland County, ND · Richland County, IL · Reeves County, TX
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 Dukes County. 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.