This is less than a one percent fall in Middlesex County’s population, from 1,629,422 in 2020 to 1,614,742 in 2021.
Middlesex County had the largest population in Massachusetts in 2021.
The US Census Bureau found more than 73 percent of counties in the US saw a natural decrease in population in 2021. This is up from a 55.5 percent increase in 2020.
The Midwest suffered the most sustained population decreases, with many counties along the US East Coast and through the Rocky Mountains seeing increases.
The US population continues to grow, though at a slower rate than before.
Massachusetts Counties By Population Change from 2020 to 2021
| County | 2020 Estimated Population | 2021 Estimated Population | % Change in Population From Year to Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dukes County | 20,581 | 21,097 | 2.5% |
| Nantucket County | 14,244 | 14,491 | 1.7% |
| Barnstable County | 228,969 | 232,411 | 1.5% |
| Plymouth County | 530,979 | 533,003 | 0.4% |
| Bristol County | 579,172 | 580,164 | 0.2% |
| Worcester County | 861,461 | 862,029 | 0.1% |
| Franklin County | 70,988 | 71,015 | 0% |
| Berkshire County | 128,758 | 128,657 | -0.1% |
| Norfolk County | 726,025 | 724,505 | -0.2% |
| Essex County | 809,218 | 807,074 | -0.3% |
| Hampshire County | 162,064 | 161,572 | -0.3% |
| Hampden County | 464,908 | 462,718 | -0.5% |
| Middlesex County | 1,629,422 | 1,614,742 | -0.9% |
| Suffolk County | 795,431 | 771,245 | -3% |
ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY
Framingham• Town of Groton• Winchester Town• Townsend• Hopkinton• Lexington• City of Woburn• Sherborn• City of Marlborough• Littleton Common• City of Malden• City of Melrose• City of Somerville• Reading• Westford• North Reading• Shirley• Pepperell• City of Cambridge• Wilmington• Burlington• Dunstable• Pinehurst• Wayland• Ashby• Cochituate• Wakefield Town• Town of Arlington• Natick• West Concord• Maynard• Ashland• East Pepperell• City of Newton• Stoneham• Winchester• Hudson• City of Waltham• Hopkinton Town• Town of Billerica• Belmont• City Of Medford• Watertown Town• Wakefield• Tewksbury• Arlington• Town Of Lexington• Groton• City Of Lowell• City Of Everett• Ayer• Weston
!RECEIVE ALERTS
The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.
DONATE
Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.
Alerts Sign-up