Brookline is a high-cost and high-income town with low poverty, situated in a county with relatively strong economic growth but also clear disparities in economic well-being across racial and ethnic groups.

Most economic data comes at the county, rather than local, level. The broader economic trends in Norfolk County are good job growth and declining unemployment. Total jobs in the county increased 4% from 2020 to 2021, above statewide and national rates and rebounding from a 6.9% job loss from 2019-2020 due the COVID pandemic. Similarly, the County’s 2021 unemployment rate of 5.1% represents a decline from a peak rate of 8.8% in 2020. This economic growth has not accrued equitably, however. For example, in 2017-21, 9% of African American residents in Norfolk County were unemployed, compared to 4% of Asian and white residents.

The median household income in Brookline was $122,400, 37% higher than the state and 77% higher than the nation. Brookline has generally low poverty rates. In 2017-21, 10% of Brookline residents had incomes below the poverty level, including 6% with incomes less than half of the poverty level. These individuals are considered to live in extreme poverty.

At the county level, there are stark income disparities among racial and ethnic groups. For example, the median household income for African Americans in Norfolk County, $80,970, was substantially lower than that for Hispanic and Latino ($105,600), Asian ($114,800), and white ($115,400) households. Additionally, poverty rates in Norfolk County were higher among African American (12%) and Hispanic and Latino (11%) residents than among Asian (8%) and white (5%) residents.

At 31%, young adults ages 18-24 in Norfolk County experienced poverty at a higher rate in 2017-21 than other age groups. The 2,000 young people in poverty in Brookline contribute significantly to this, with a total of about 6,000 young people in poverty in the county.

Even though the poverty rates are relatively low in Brookline and Norfolk County, those above the poverty line may still struggle to make ends meet as costs are high. A living wage in Norfolk County for a single adult supporting two children, for example, is $65/hour or about $135,000 a year – above the level for the state ($118,000) or Essex or Middlesex County (both around $120,000).