County profile · Massachusetts
Middlesex County, MA market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in Middlesex County, each scored against other counties.
- Population, 2025
- 1,669,979
- +2.8% since 2020
- Households
- 634,215
- Median household income
- $130,847
- +27.5% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $727,800
- Jobs located here
- 949,767
- Highest market score
- 83
- Home inspectors, #5 of 415 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Middlesex County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Middlesex County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 1,669,979 people live in Middlesex County, in 634,215 households. Population estimates show Middlesex County grew 2.8% from 2020 to 2025, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). The median household income in Middlesex County is $130,847 a year, 62% above the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 27.5% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in Middlesex County spend the most on child care and other personal services (an index of 166, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on gasoline and other fuels (71).
The highest Groundwork market scores in Middlesex County are for home inspectors (83), chiropractors (81) and roofing and gutter companies (77). Middlesex County ranks #5 of 415 scored counties for home inspectors.
Middlesex County is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area. For its number of households, Middlesex County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for dry cleaners (twice the U.S. rate) and the fewest for tire shops (47% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Middlesex County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Middlesex County with other counties for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among counties | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home inspectors | 83 | #5 of 415 | 31 | 0.5 | Index only | 175 | 23 |
| Chiropractors | 81 | #51 of 1,490 | 253 | 4.0 | $3.9M | 161 | 142 |
| Roofing and gutters | 77 | #72 of 1,177 | 242 | 3.8 | $10.8M | 128 | 104 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 77 | #176 of 2,222 | 478 | 7.5 | $7M | 229 | 1,226 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 75 | #68 of 887 | 208 | 3.3 | Index only | 175 | 91 |
| Veterinarians | 75 | #181 of 1,485 | 176 | 2.8 | $3.2M | 116 | 133 |
| Grocery stores | 74 | #317 of 2,070 | 403 | 6.4 | $12.5M | 134 | 269 |
| Pest control | 72 | #75 of 699 | 83 | 1.3 | $12.7M | 124 | 73 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 72 | #213 of 1,656 | 351 | 5.5 | $2.8M | 156 | 787 |
| Tire shops | 72 | #219 of 1,530 | 126 | 2.0 | $4.4M | 174 | 64 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | 71 | #40 of 325 | 25 | 0.4 | $39M | 159 | 57 |
| Pet stores | 71 | #153 of 974 | 95 | 1.5 | $5.9M | 130 | 45 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 71 | #189 of 1,302 | 269 | 4.2 | $3.6M | 116 | 107 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 70 | #429 of 2,402 | 1,025 | 16.2 | $4.9M | 145 | 636 |
| Laundromats | 69 | #167 of 785 | 113 | 1.8 | $16.9M | 135 | 54 |
| Convenience stores | 69 | #450 of 2,261 | 405 | 6.4 | $12.4M | 157 | 367 |
| Barbershops | 68 | #283 of 1,356 | 369 | 5.8 | $2.2M | 118 | 37 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 68 | #436 of 2,087 | 914 | 14.4 | $2.1M | 164 | 475 |
| Pet businesses | 66 | #430 of 2,200 | 614 | 9.7 | $908K | 103 | 344 |
| Pizza | 66 | #455 of 2,090 | 651 | 10.3 | $5.1M | 101 | 1,226 |
| Funeral homes | 65 | #355 of 1,472 | 116 | 1.8 | $772K | 114 | 74 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 65 | #546 of 2,405 | 6,402 | 100.9 | $521K | 141 | 3,288 |
| Gas stations | 65 | #552 of 2,358 | 416 | 6.6 | $2.8M | 118 | 386 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 64 | #362 of 1,707 | 470 | 7.4 | $5.6M | 117 | 770 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 62 | #659 of 2,405 | 3,825 | 60.3 | $872K | 131 | 1,425 |
| Car washes and detailing | 61 | #432 of 1,451 | 183 | 2.9 | $3M | 119 | 93 |
| Gyms | 61 | #489 of 1,792 | 655 | 10.3 | $1.5M | 113 | 337 |
| Home repair trades | 61 | #530 of 2,057 | 971 | 15.3 | $2.7M | 111 | 1,500 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 60 | #715 of 2,210 | 1,493 | 23.5 | $1.3M | 145 | 678 |
| Physical therapy | 59 | #486 of 1,422 | 421 | 6.6 | $2.3M | 96 | 242 |
| Child care and preschools | 59 | #571 of 1,611 | 583 | 9.2 | $1M | 104 | 624 |
| Oil change and quick lube | 58 | #174 of 479 | 33 | 0.5 | $16.6M | 121 | 42 |
| Property management | 58 | #314 of 910 | 208 | 3.3 | Index only | 123 | 473 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 57 | #651 of 1,889 | 675 | 10.6 | $4.9M | 119 | 704 |
| Hair salons | 57 | #815 of 2,339 | 1,614 | 25.4 | $510K | 119 | 674 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 56 | #764 of 2,176 | 2,086 | 32.9 | Index only | 125 | 545 |
| Electricians | 55 | #479 of 1,160 | 259 | 4.1 | $10.1M | 84 | 626 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 55 | #812 of 2,063 | 787 | 12.4 | $4.2M | 114 | 623 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 53 | #1,053 of 2,394 | 4,885 | 77.0 | $200K | 131 | 2,244 |
| Auto repair and car care | 53 | #1,072 of 2,401 | 1,845 | 29.1 | $297K | 111 | 922 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 52 | #684 of 1,461 | 278 | 4.4 | $2M | 79 | 166 |
| Real estate | 52 | #997 of 2,229 | 2,533 | 39.9 | Index only | 130 | 1,266 |
| Nail salons | 51 | #668 of 1,328 | 466 | 7.3 | $1.8M | 106 | 281 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 50 | #1,053 of 2,088 | 1,503 | 23.7 | $638K | 96 | 690 |
| Spas and skin care | 49 | #928 of 1,769 | 930 | 14.7 | $885K | 101 | 194 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 48 | #768 of 1,493 | 495 | 7.8 | $2.1M | 73 | 984 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 48 | #1,279 of 2,385 | 3,476 | 54.8 | $237K | 111 | 1,198 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 47 | #758 of 1,334 | 555 | 8.8 | $1.7M | 86 | 353 |
| Insurance agencies | 46 | #1,250 of 2,272 | 673 | 10.6 | $1.4M | 108 | 449 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | 45 | #483 of 777 | 293 | 4.6 | $3.3M | 81 | 337 |
| Auto repair shops | 44 | #1,471 of 2,378 | 1,252 | 19.7 | $438K | 99 | 712 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 43 | #1,139 of 1,771 | 837 | 13.2 | $1.3M | 75 | 1,515 |
| House cleaning | 41 | #586 of 847 | 259 | 4.1 | $4.1M | 64 | 458 |
| Dry cleaners | 39 | #366 of 507 | 163 | 2.6 | $11.7M | 75 | 149 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 39 | #1,335 of 1,886 | 1,094 | 17.2 | $892K | 91 | 909 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 31 | #1,084 of 1,327 | 251 | 4.0 | $2.2M | 71 | 232 |
Household spending in Middlesex County
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $548.7M | $865 | 90 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $1.2B | $1,852 | 71 |
| Food away from home | $3.3B | $5,261 | 129 |
| Groceries | $5B | $7,915 | 125 |
| Personal care products and services | $823.5M | $1,298 | 129 |
| Child care and other personal services | $610M | $962 | 166 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $958.9M | $1,512 | 154 |
| Medical and dental services | $975.3M | $1,538 | 119 |
| Pets | $557.8M | $880 | 97 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $1.9B | $3,005 | 146 |
| Vehicle insurance | $909.3M | $1,434 | 73 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $2.6B | $4,132 | 137 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $1.1B | $1,663 | 118 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $14.2B | $22,407 | 134 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in Middlesex County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 1,669,979+2.8% since 2020
- Households
- 634,215
- Median age
- 40.3
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 61%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.6
- Land area
- 818 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 2,003
- Median household income
- $130,847+27.5% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $178,065
- Median home value
- $727,800
- Jobs located here
- 949,767
- Daytime population
- 1,753,217Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Middlesex County?
These figures cover the whole county. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of Middlesex County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Nearest counties in Massachusetts 8
- Suffolk County, MA785,121 people
- Norfolk County, MA730,082 people
- Essex County, MA813,054 people
- Worcester County, MA867,788 people
- Plymouth County, MA535,075 people
- Bristol County, MA582,270 people
- Franklin County, MA70,944 people
- Hampshire County, MA162,028 people
Questions
How fast is Middlesex County, MA growing?
Population estimates put Middlesex County at 1,669,979 people in 2025, up 2.8% since 2020, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 634,215 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 27.5%, before inflation.
How much do households in Middlesex County, MA spend?
Households in Middlesex County spend about $14.2B a year on rent and homeowner costs, $5B on groceries and $3.3B on food away from home. Relative to the U.S., household spending in Middlesex County runs highest on child care and other personal services (an index of 166, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on gasoline and other fuels (71).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Middlesex County, MA?
Of the business types scored in Middlesex County, home inspectors (83), chiropractors (81) and roofing and gutter companies (77) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For home inspectors, that ranks #5 of 415 scored counties.
How does Middlesex County, MA compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in Middlesex County is $130,847, 62% above the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 2.8% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $727,800, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for dry cleaners (twice the U.S. rate) and lowest for tire shops (47% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. All 56 business types have a score in Middlesex County, each ranked against other counties.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Middlesex County. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in Middlesex County?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of Middlesex County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.