essential needs

Using the charts: Items in the legend below the chart can be clicked on and off to aid in analysis. The chart can also be printed or exported as an image or document using the menu at the top right of the chart. See a Guide to the BCF Understanding Brookline Website for more information.





Source: U.S. Census Bureau

What does this measure?

The ratio of the median home value divided by the median household income, adjusted for inflation, and shown for homeowners in various racial and ethnic groups.

Why is this important?

This ratio provides a rough estimate of the affordability of homes in a community. A ratio less than 2 or 3 is considered affordable. High housing costs can force households to choose between paying for housing and meeting other basic needs such as food, clothing and health care.

How is Norfolk County doing?

In 2017-21, Norfolk County homes were most unaffordable for Hispanic and Asian homeowners, with ratios of 4.5 and 4.4 respectively, followed by African Americans (4.2) and whites (4.0). These ratios were generally lower (more affordable) than state ratios, particularly for Hispanics, but generally higher (less affordable) than national ratios.

Among comparison counties, Norfolk generally had the lowest ratios for all groups, particularly for Hispanic households - 4.5 in Norfolk compared to Essex (6.3) and Middlesex (6.2). Norfolk's ratios for Asian and white households were similar to Middlesex.

Why do these disparities exist?

Historic and current policies and systems, from racist housing policies to employment discrimination to education systems that fail to equitably serve all populations, have prevented people of color from fully participating in our economy, locking them out of economic opportunity. This has resulted in lower incomes for people of color, which means housing costs are a greater burden.

Notes about the data

Multi-year data are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey, Public Use Microdata Sample. The American Community Survey combines five years of responses to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census.

Cost of Homeownership by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21
AsianBlack or African AmericanHispanicWhite
Norfolk County4.44.24.54.0
Essex County3.55.36.34.4
Middlesex County4.55.46.24.1
Massachusetts4.65.46.04.0

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Ratio of median home value divided by the median household income, adjusted for inflation. A ratio less than 2 or 3 is considered affordable. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity.




Median Home Value by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21
AsianBlack or African AmericanHispanicWhite
Norfolk County$624,567$374,654$457,926$574,295
Essex County$427,633$389,738$367,482$475,280
Middlesex County$558,843$464,048$495,504$515,589
Massachusetts$540,252$406,431$379,243$438,772

Source: U.S. Census Bureau






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