Data / Rankings / Population density / Counties in Massachusetts

Counties in Massachusetts by population density

Suffolk County had the highest population density of 14 counties in 2023, at 5,200.2 inhabitants per km². Franklin County had the lowest, at 39.1 inhabitants per km². The median was 259 inhabitants per km² and the figure for Massachusetts was 350.1 inhabitants per km². Source: the U.S. Census Bureau.

Highest5,200.2Suffolk County
Lowest39.1Franklin County
Median25914 counties
Massachusetts350.1History

All counties, 2023

CSVChart (SVG)

Suffolk CountySuffolk County: 5,200.2 inhabitants per km²5,200.2Middlesex CountyMiddlesex County: 776.2 inhabitants per km²776.2Norfolk CountyNorfolk County: 712 inhabitants per km²712Essex CountyEssex County: 641 inhabitants per km²641Bristol CountyBristol County: 409.2 inhabitants per km²409.2Plymouth CountyPlymouth County: 316.4 inhabitants per km²316.4Hampden CountyHampden County: 289.2 inhabitants per km²289.2Barnstable CountyBarnstable County: 228.8 inhabitants per km²228.8Worcester CountyWorcester County: 223.4 inhabitants per km²223.4Nantucket CountyNantucket County: 121.7 inhabitants per km²121.7Hampshire CountyHampshire County: 121 inhabitants per km²121Dukes CountyDukes County: 78.8 inhabitants per km²78.8Berkshire CountyBerkshire County: 53.7 inhabitants per km²53.7Franklin CountyFranklin County: 39.1 inhabitants per km²39.1
inhabitants per km². Source: Invokely calculation with data from U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-09.

Full ranking

RankCounties2023
inhabitants per km²		Change on 2022
1Suffolk County5,200.2+0.8%
2Middlesex County776.2+0.8%
3Norfolk County712+0.4%
4Essex County641+0.9%
5Bristol County409.2+0.8%
6Plymouth County316.4+0.9%
7Hampden County289.2+0.2%
8Barnstable County228.8+0.3%
9Worcester County223.4+0.9%
10Nantucket County121.7+0.4%
11Hampshire County1210%
12Dukes County78.8-0.1%
13Berkshire County53.7-0.4%
14Franklin County39.1-0.3%

Other periods

About this ranking

Resident population divided by land area in km². World Bank figures use mid-year population and land area excluding inland water.

United States: Census Bureau population estimates for 1 July divided by land area (water excluded) from the latest Census Gazetteer files. US tables often give people per square mile; multiply persons per km² by 2.59 to compare.

Every value in the ranking comes from the same publisher and the same period, so the counties are compared on one definition. Equal values share a rank.

How to cite

U.S. Census Bureau. Population Estimates Program resident population on 1 July divided by land area from the latest Census Gazetteer files, persons per km². https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/. Retrieved 2026-10-09.

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Questions

Which county has the highest population density?

Suffolk County, with 5,200.2 inhabitants per km² in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Which county has the lowest population density?

Franklin County, with 39.1 inhabitants per km² in 2023.

Where does this ranking come from?

Every value comes from one source and one period, so the places are comparable: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program resident population on 1 July divided by land area from the latest Census Gazetteer files, persons per km². Retrieved 2026-10-09.

Population density: other rankings

Counties in Massachusetts: more rankings