economic equity and justice

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau

What does this measure?

Median household income, in 2021 dollars. Half of incomes are below the median and half are above.

Why is this important?

Median household income is a gauge of the overall economic health of the region and the financial resources of households.

How is Brookline doing?

In 2017-21, the median household income in Brookline was $122,400, 13% higher than the median income in 2000 of $108,503 (after adjusting for inflation). In 2017-21, the state had a lower median household income at $89,000 and the nation was substantially lower, at $69,000. Brookline's 13% increase since 2000 compares with an 8% increase at the state level and a 1% increase at the national level.

Compared to Brookline, the median income in Newton was much higher at $164,600 and slightly higher in Arlington at $125,700. Median incomes in both Cambridge and Everett were lower than Brookline at $112,600 and $71,500 respectively.

Notes about the data

Figures are in constant 2021 dollars. The multiyear figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined 5 years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. However, because the information came from a survey, the samples responding to the survey were not always large enough to produce reliable results, especially in small geographic areas. CGR has noted on data tables the estimates with relatively large margins of error. Estimates with 3 asterisks have the largest margins, plus or minus 50% or more of the estimate. Two asterisks mean plus or minus 35%-50%, and one asterisk means plus or minus 20%-35%. For all estimates, the confidence level is 90%, meaning there is 90% probability the true value (if the whole population were surveyed) would be within the margin of error (or confidence interval). The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Data for this indicator are released annually in December.

Median Household Income
20002007-112012-162017-21
Brookline$108,503$117,151$115,356$122,356
Arlington, Middlesex County$104,654$102,465$110,759$125,701
Cambridge, Middlesex County$78,036$83,140$93,845$112,565
Everett, Middlesex County$66,134$58,207$59,224$71,510
Newton, Middlesex County$139,961$132,178$143,838$164,607
Norfolk County$103,170$100,868$101,866$112,089
Essex County$83,887$79,247$80,031$86,684
Middlesex County$98,924$95,999$100,503$111,790
Massachusetts$82,140$79,483$80,108$89,026

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Figures in 2021 dollars. Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%.






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