Population 15,295 · 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 Swampscott: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Swampscott
Household size in Swampscott
| Period | Swampscott | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.44 | 2.54 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.49 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.57 | 2.60 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.56 | 2.55 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.11 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Swampscott run a little small, averaging 2.56 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.44, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the east.
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 Swampscott
| Period | Swampscott | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.4 | 38.9 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.5 | 39.7 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.8 | 40.4 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.6 | 40.8 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.8 | +1.9 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Swampscott is 43.6 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 45.4, even as the national median rose. The youngest areas are in the northwest, the oldest in the northeast.
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 Swampscott
| Period | Swampscott | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 10.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.5% | 10.2% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.1% | 9.6% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 9.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −5.1 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Swampscott: 4.9% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 5.1 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Swampscott 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 Swampscott
Renters in Swampscott
| Period | Swampscott | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.2% | 36.8% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.9% | 38.5% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.9% | 38.3% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.2% | 38.4% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Swampscott is largely a place of homeowners: only 24.2% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among owners, 26.6% have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 2.0 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Swampscott
| Period | Swampscott | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.7% | 8.1% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 3.0% | 7.4% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.3% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 6.7% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Swampscott than nationally: 7.8%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The picture is much the same across the Boston area. Vacancy is up 4.0 points from 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 Swampscott
| Period | Swampscott | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1946 | 1958 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1947 | 1959 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1949 | 1961 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1953 | 1964 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Swampscott is a place of older homes: half were built before 1953, 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 1946 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the south.
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 Swampscott
| Period | Swampscott | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,210 | $1,171 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,287 | $1,251 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,799 | $1,537 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,346 | $2,051 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,137 | +$881 | +$775 | +$606 |
The median renter in Swampscott pays $2,346 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,137 a month since 2006–10, up 94%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 33.4% of household income on rent, 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 Swampscott
Bachelor's degrees in Swampscott
| Period | Swampscott | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 58.3% | 42.2% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 56.4% | 44.1% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 58.4% | 48.2% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 60.9% | 51.9% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +9.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Swampscott: 60.9% 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. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 2.5 points, mirroring the country.
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 Swampscott
| Period | Swampscott | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.9% | 89.8% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.1% | 90.6% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.5% | 91.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.3% | 91.8% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | +2.1 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Swampscott: 96.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is down 0.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate rose.
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 Swampscott
| Period | Swampscott | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.5% | 7.0% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 8.0% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 4.6% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.1% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been harder to find in Swampscott than nationally: unemployment was 7.1%, against 5.4%. Only 19 of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Unemployment has risen 2.7 points since 2006–10, 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).
Swampscott 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swampscott | 2.56 | 43.6 | 4.9% | 24.2% | 7.8% | 1953 | $2,346 | 60.9% | 96.3% | 7.1% |
| Lynn | 2.93 | 37.3 | 19.1% | 52.4% | 4.8% | 1950 | $1,843 | 24.1% | 78.2% | 4.6% |
| Salem | 2.18 | 39.5 | 9.7% | 50.3% | 6.2% | 1954 | $1,886 | 47.6% | 92.0% | 5.0% |
| Marblehead | 2.51 | 49.2 | 3.8% | 14.8% | 7.5% | 1950 | $1,798 | 78.9% | 99.1% | 2.5% |
| Nahant | 2.12 | 58.7 | 3.6% | 21.1% | 12.0% | 1940 | $1,810 | 62.2% | 98.2% | 6.2% |
| Peabody | 2.50 | 47.5 | 9.0% | 34.4% | 4.4% | 1966 | $1,999 | 35.0% | 90.4% | 5.1% |
| Saugus | 2.60 | 45.1 | 4.8% | 28.2% | 6.5% | 1964 | $2,164 | 30.4% | 90.9% | 3.7% |
| Beverly | 2.40 | 40.9 | 10.5% | 39.7% | 5.4% | 1961 | $1,685 | 54.8% | 96.6% | 4.9% |
| Revere | 2.77 | 39.8 | 13.1% | 54.6% | 9.2% | 1963 | $2,057 | 23.9% | 81.3% | 6.1% |
| Danvers | 2.52 | 46.1 | 6.8% | 31.0% | 5.9% | 1964 | $2,319 | 47.6% | 95.1% | 4.8% |
| Lynnfield | 2.90 | 40.7 | 6.6% | 15.3% | 4.4% | 1968 | $2,516 | 62.2% | 98.4% | 3.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Mountain Top, PA · Oakdale, PA · North Easton, MA · Newman, CA · New Ulm, MN · New Territory, TX · New Holland, PA · New Hartford, NY · New Cumberland, PA · New Cassel, NY
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 Swampscott. 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.