Population 87,416 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Lawrence
Household size in Lawrence
| Period | Lawrence | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.90 | 2.54 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.99 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.09 | 2.60 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.93 | 2.55 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Lawrence are large by national standards, averaging 2.93 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 21 have 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 Lawrence
| Period | Lawrence | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.2 | 38.9 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.0 | 39.7 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.9 | 40.4 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.6 | 40.8 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.4 | +1.9 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Lawrence is young: half of its residents are under 33.6, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. The median age has climbed from 31.2 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only six 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 Lawrence
| Period | Lawrence | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.1% | 10.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.6% | 10.2% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 26.8% | 9.6% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 26.2% | 9.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Lawrence: 26.2% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 2.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Lawrence has the highest share of single-parent households of any Massachusetts city with 5,000+ people.
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 Lawrence
Renters in Lawrence
| Period | Lawrence | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 65.4% | 36.8% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 72.2% | 38.5% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 69.1% | 38.3% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 71.7% | 38.4% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.3 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Lawrence rent: 71.7% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 31.7% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 6.3 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Lawrence
| Period | Lawrence | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 8.1% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.8% | 7.4% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 3.0% | 6.7% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.1 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Lawrence: just 3.0% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy has fallen 6.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Lawrence has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Massachusetts cities.
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 Lawrence
| Period | Lawrence | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1951 | 1958 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1944 | 1959 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1944 | 1961 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1951 | 1964 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +0 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Lawrence 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 newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the northwest. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 27 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 Lawrence
| Period | Lawrence | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $913 | $1,171 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $973 | $1,251 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,153 | $1,537 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,671 | $2,051 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$757 | +$881 | +$775 | +$606 |
The median renter in Lawrence pays $1,671 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are lower than in the Boston area overall ($2,051). Rent has climbed $757 a month since 2006–10, up 83%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 35.5% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Lawrence
Bachelor's degrees in Lawrence
| Period | Lawrence | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.6% | 42.2% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.7% | 44.1% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.8% | 48.2% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.8% | 51.9% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | +9.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Lawrence have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 15.8%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.2 points, mirroring the country. No other Massachusetts city with 5,000+ people has a lower 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 Lawrence
| Period | Lawrence | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 63.3% | 89.8% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 68.0% | 90.6% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 66.8% | 91.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 72.6% | 91.8% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
More than a quarter of adults in Lawrence never finished high school, well above the national share: only 72.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 9.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Massachusetts city with 5,000+ people has a lower 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 Lawrence
| Period | Lawrence | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 7.0% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.7% | 8.0% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.5% | 4.6% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Lawrence runs well above the national rate: 9.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only four have higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged up 1.1 points, even as the national rate fell.
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).
Lawrence 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | 2.93 | 33.6 | 26.2% | 71.7% | 3.0% | 1951 | $1,671 | 15.8% | 72.6% | 9.2% |
| Methuen Town | 2.87 | 40.6 | 12.2% | 28.2% | 4.4% | 1967 | $2,014 | 31.6% | 88.5% | 5.7% |
| Methuen | 2.56 | 35.3 | 7.6% | 46.7% | 4.3% | 2000 | $2,535 | 84.1% | 100.0% | 2.0% |
| North Andover | 2.67 | 41.6 | 9.0% | 32.3% | 5.9% | 1976 | $2,450 | 61.4% | 96.6% | 3.4% |
| Andover | 2.67 | 42.2 | 8.1% | 20.5% | 5.7% | 1972 | $2,235 | 75.8% | 97.7% | 5.5% |
| Salem | 2.50 | 44.2 | 8.0% | 24.5% | 11.3% | 1979 | $1,792 | 39.5% | 95.8% | 2.9% |
| Haverhill | 2.59 | 40.7 | 13.9% | 37.2% | 5.8% | 1961 | $1,643 | 32.1% | 90.2% | 5.9% |
| Tewksbury | 2.66 | 45.6 | 6.2% | 15.5% | 3.0% | 1978 | $2,093 | 40.3% | 92.9% | 3.3% |
| Boxford | 3.00 | 47.9 | 4.4% | 5.3% | 5.6% | 1978 | $877 | 71.1% | 98.6% | 2.4% |
| Groveland | 2.58 | 45.1 | 4.1% | 9.6% | 7.8% | 1975 | $1,773 | 45.7% | 96.1% | 6.0% |
| Dracut | 2.71 | 43.0 | 9.6% | 20.1% | 5.3% | 1974 | $1,827 | 36.6% | 91.8% | 4.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Clovis, CA · Chapel Hill, NC · Chandler, AZ · Champaign, IL · Clifton, NJ · Cicero, IL · Cleveland, TN · Cleveland, OH · Centreville, VA · Chula Vista, 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 Lawrence. 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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