Population 19,887 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in North Cambridge
Household size in North Cambridge
| Period | North Cambridge | Cambridge | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.20 | 2.02 | 2.54 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.24 | 2.08 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.29 | 2.14 | 2.60 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.22 | 2.07 | 2.55 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.02 | +0.05 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
North Cambridge is a place of small households, averaging 2.22 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Locally, though, the typical household here is bigger than in Cambridge overall, where it has 2.07 people. Households are largest in the north 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 North Cambridge
| Period | North Cambridge | Cambridge | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.1 | 33.4 | 38.9 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.6 | 32.7 | 39.7 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.9 | 32.0 | 40.4 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.9 | 32.1 | 40.8 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.2 | −1.4 | +1.9 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
North Cambridge is young: half of its residents are under 34.9, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Even so, the population here is older than in Cambridge overall, where the median age is 32.1. Few Cambridge neighborhoods are older: only two of 13.
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 North Cambridge
| Period | North Cambridge | Cambridge | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.3% | 7.4% | 10.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.9% | 6.3% | 10.2% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 5.9% | 9.6% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.3% | 6.3% | 9.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −1.1 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.3% of households in North Cambridge, well below the national share of 11.6%. The picture is much the same across Cambridge. The single-parent share has fallen 4.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 North Cambridge
Renters in North Cambridge
| Period | North Cambridge | Cambridge | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.7% | 64.1% | 36.8% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 62.0% | 63.9% | 38.5% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 68.6% | 65.2% | 38.3% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 66.0% | 66.6% | 38.4% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +2.4 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in North Cambridge rent: 66.0% 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, 42.2% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share is up 3.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 North Cambridge
| Period | North Cambridge | Cambridge | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.5% | 9.1% | 8.1% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.2% | 8.7% | 7.4% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 12.3% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.2% | 11.0% | 6.7% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | +1.9 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in North Cambridge is close to the national rate: 10.2% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Vacancy has risen 3.7 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 North Cambridge
| Period | North Cambridge | Cambridge | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1950 | 1950 | 1958 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1945 | 1950 | 1959 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1962 | 1955 | 1961 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1963 | 1959 | 1964 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +13 | +9 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in North Cambridge is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1963, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1950 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the center.
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 North Cambridge
| Period | North Cambridge | Cambridge | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,366 | $1,429 | $1,171 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,453 | $1,610 | $1,251 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,034 | $2,241 | $1,537 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,601 | $2,761 | $2,051 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,235 | +$1,332 | +$881 | +$775 | +$606 |
A typical rental in North Cambridge costs $2,601 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in Cambridge overall ($2,761). Rents are up $1,235 a month from 2006–10, a 90% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 25.9% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 North Cambridge
Bachelor's degrees in North Cambridge
| Period | North Cambridge | Cambridge | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 63.4% | 72.5% | 42.2% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 63.8% | 76.0% | 44.1% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 73.2% | 79.3% | 48.2% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 76.5% | 81.4% | 51.9% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.0 pts | +8.9 pts | +9.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
North Cambridge is highly educated: about three-quarters of adults 25 and older (76.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Locally, though, the share is lower than in Cambridge as a whole (81.4%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 13.0 points, in line with the national trend.
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 North Cambridge
| Period | North Cambridge | Cambridge | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.4% | 94.5% | 89.8% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.1% | 94.5% | 90.6% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.7% | 95.9% | 91.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.7% | 96.4% | 91.8% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +1.9 pts | +2.1 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in North Cambridge: 94.7% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Locally, though, the rate is lower than in Cambridge as a whole (96.4%). Few Cambridge neighborhoods have a lower share of high school graduates: only two of 13.
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 North Cambridge
| Period | North Cambridge | Cambridge | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.5% | 5.9% | 7.0% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.3% | 5.8% | 8.0% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.5% | 4.1% | 4.6% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.1% | 3.3% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in North Cambridge has been low: just 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.4 points, in line with the national trend. 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).
North Cambridge compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Cambridge | 2.22 | 34.9 | 6.3% | 66.0% | 10.2% | 1963 | $2,601 | 76.5% | 94.7% | 3.1% |
| Neighborhood Nine | 2.20 | 33.8 | 6.2% | 63.7% | 7.3% | 1961 | $2,581 | 80.6% | 99.2% | 3.9% |
| Avon Hill | 2.04 | 32.8 | 2.5% | 54.0% | 7.5% | 1940 | $2,762 | 90.3% | 99.2% | 2.4% |
| West Somerville | 2.04 | 35.4 | 4.3% | 70.2% | 6.4% | 1943 | $1,988 | 59.0% | 93.2% | 5.2% |
| Tufts | 2.94 | 25.2 | 2.0% | 64.1% | 3.5% | 1938 | $2,908 | 88.6% | 97.6% | 2.9% |
| Ball Square | 2.41 | 33.0 | 2.2% | 55.4% | 6.5% | 1938 | $3,053 | 74.6% | 96.2% | 0.5% |
| West Cambridge | 2.18 | 41.6 | 5.3% | 31.9% | 9.1% | 1938 | $2,931 | 88.0% | 98.5% | 5.5% |
| Spring Hill | 2.15 | 32.6 | 2.1% | 65.4% | 6.8% | 1944 | $2,497 | 78.3% | 96.6% | 2.5% |
| Strawberry Hill | 2.30 | 42.0 | 8.5% | 55.2% | 4.2% | 1947 | $2,714 | 80.7% | 97.8% | 1.6% |
| Aggasiz-Harvard | 1.97 | 31.1 | 2.7% | 66.0% | 19.4% | 1945 | $2,773 | 85.6% | 98.1% | 2.3% |
| Arlington Center | 2.11 | 44.0 | 3.8% | 56.1% | 5.0% | 1950 | $1,810 | 69.1% | 97.8% | 5.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Upper Clinton Hill, Newark, NJ · Drnag, San Bernardino, CA · Eads-Fisherville, Cordova, TN · East Arlington, Jacksonville, FL · East Central, Pasadena, CA · East Garfield Park, Chicago, IL · Sterling Ridge, The Woodlands, TX · Tampa Palms, Tampa, FL · Taylor Ranch, Albuquerque, NM · The Waterfront, Jersey City, NJ
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 North Cambridge. 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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