View the Lawrence Handbook
Who Lives Here
Demographics
A Portrait of Lawrence
Lawrence is a densely settled small city of about 89,000 people packed into roughly seven square miles on the Merrimack River. It is one of the most heavily Latino and immigrant communities in Massachusetts, long known as the “Immigrant City” and today home to one of the largest Dominican-American populations in the country. It is also a young city, with a median age around 33.
Population & Households
- Population: 89,143 (2020 Census).
- Land area: about 6.9 square miles.
- Density: roughly 12,800 people per square mile, among the densest cities in the state.
- Median age: about 32.6 years.
Race & Ethnicity
- Hispanic or Latino: about 83%.
- White (non-Hispanic): about 12%.
- Black or African American: about 2%.
- Asian: about 2%.
- Two or more / other: the remainder.
- Immigrant city: a large share of residents are foreign-born, and Spanish is widely spoken.
Economy & Education
- Median household income: about $60,400.
- Per capita income: about $41,200.
- Poverty rate: about 18%.
- Workforce: top sectors include manufacturing, health care, and retail.
Registered Voters
As of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s August 2024 count, Lawrence had 48,226 registered voters.
- Democrat: 16,959 (about 35%).
- Republican: 1,936 (about 4%).
- Unenrolled: 28,977 (about 60%).
- Other / minor parties: the remainder.
Students
- Enrollment: about 12,955 students in Lawrence Public Schools.
- Schools: 26, including one of the state’s largest high schools.
- Student body: about 95% Hispanic/Latino, with many English learners.
- More: see the student data page.
Sources
See how Lawrence fits into the wider Commonwealth with statewide demographic context.