HomeMassachusettsSuffolk County
Suffolk County, Massachusetts: commercial real estate data.
Suffolk County, Massachusetts had an estimated 793,144 residents on July 1, 2024, down 1.0 percent since the 2020 census base of 800,937, across 58 square miles. County output reached $190.78 bn in 2024, 22,034 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 923 7(a) approvals worth $297.0 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Suffolk County
How many people live in Suffolk County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024785,121
- Households327,167
- Average household size2.40
- Median household income$95,631
- Median age33.9
- Median gross rent$2,129 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$705,800
- Home value to household income7.4 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income26.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher50.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree23.5 percent
- Adults 25 and over552,101
- Population under 18125,812
- Share under 1816.0 percent
- Population 65 and over104,159
- Share 65 and over13.3 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64555,150
- Civilian labor force468,636
- Unemployment rate6.3 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over71.1 percent
- Rank by population among Massachusetts counties4th of 14
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included83rd of 3,222
Suffolk County is the 4th largest of 14 Massachusetts counties by population. A median home costs 7.4 times median household income, which is severely unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 16.0 percent against 13.3 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Suffolk County
Is Suffolk County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024793,144
- Census 2020 base population800,937
- Population change since the 2020 census base-0.97 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 202411,466
- Births, 20248,253
- Deaths, 20244,712
- Natural change, 20243,541
- Net domestic migration, 2024-10,971
- Net international migration, 202418,922
- Total net migration, 20247,951
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-69,413
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents2177th of 3,144
The county has lost 0.97 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Suffolk County
Where are people moving to Suffolk County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving33,387
- People arriving, from those returns41,866
- Tax returns filed by households leaving42,797
- Net household movement-9,410
- Adjusted gross income arriving$3.72 bn
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-2.18 bn
- Average income of an arriving household$111,349
- Average income of a leaving household$137,828
- Largest single originMiddlesex County (8,050 households)
- Largest single destinationMiddlesex County (10,277 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County | 8,050 | 10,073 | $996.7 m |
| Norfolk County | 4,227 | 5,650 | $444.8 m |
| Essex County | 1,885 | 2,708 | $179.5 m |
| Plymouth County | 1,119 | 1,588 | $117.3 m |
| Worcester County | 820 | 980 | $61.8 m |
| New York County | 703 | 833 | $166.4 m |
| Bristol County | 533 | 732 | $37.3 m |
| Providence County | 452 | 599 | $26.5 m |
Households arriving report $26,479 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Middlesex County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Suffolk County
What is the Suffolk County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$190.78 bn
- County GDP, 2023$179.68 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20246.2 percent
- GDP change over five years30.1 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Massachusetts areas BEA publishes2nd of 14
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes19th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$242,992
Output grew 6.2 percent in the latest year and 30.1 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Suffolk County
Employment by industry in Suffolk County
- Covered employment, annual average713,809
- Establishments reporting33,364
- Average annual pay$131,280
- Average weekly wage$2,525
- Health care and social assistance, employment153,540
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$96,483
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment99,564
- Professional, scientific and technical services, average annual pay$207,925
- Finance and insurance, employment67,187
- Finance and insurance, average annual pay$292,534
- Accommodation and food services, employment64,238
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$44,830
- Educational services, employment44,579
- Retail trade, employment32,244
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 153,540 | 8,847 | $96,483 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 99,564 | 5,595 | $207,925 |
| Finance and insurance | 67,187 | 2,001 | $292,534 |
| Accommodation and food services | 64,238 | 2,463 | $44,830 |
| Educational services | 44,579 | 570 | $91,960 |
| Retail trade | 32,244 | 2,240 | $62,157 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 31,966 | 1,400 | $76,046 |
| Information | 23,326 | 1,361 | $195,100 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 153,540 jobs, 21.5 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Suffolk County
How many businesses are in Suffolk County?
- Establishments, all industries22,034
- Employment at those establishments720,353
- Annual payroll$85.85 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents28.1
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Suffolk County
Building permits in Suffolk County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 20242,007
- Declared construction value permitted$848.6 m
- Single family units authorized74
- Multifamily units authorized1,933
- Multifamily share of units96.3 percent
- Average declared value per unit$422,796
- Units authorized per 1,000 households6.1
Multifamily is 96.3 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Suffolk County
SBA loans in Suffolk County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded923
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$297.0 m
- Average 7(a) approval$321,790
- Median 7(a) approval$125,000
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$747,600
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)9,099
- Jobs per approval9.9
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active85
- Distinct industries receiving approvals240
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer3.3 percent
- Loans on real estate terms30
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter854
- Franchise loans38
- Franchise share of approvals4.1 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (75)
- Most active lenderEastern Bank (274)
- 504 approvals recorded259
- 504 gross approval dollars$179.5 m
- Average 504 approval$693,127
- Median 504 approval$412,000
- Distinct CDCs active7
- 504 jobs per approval6.8
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved9.8
- Most active CDCBay Colony Development Corporation (110)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$476.5 m
The average approval of $321,790 sits well above the median of $125,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 3.3 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Suffolk County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Suffolk County
Do SBA loans in Suffolk County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded185
- Paid in full160
- Charged off25
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans13.5 percent
- Status: Cancelled144
- Status: Paid in full160
- Status: Exempt from disclosure527
- Status: Charged off25
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed67
Of the 185 loans that have reached a final outcome, 13.5 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Suffolk County
SBA lending by place in Suffolk County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending27
- Boston, approvals434
- Revere, approvals66
- Dorchester, approvals65
- Chelsea, approvals40
- Hyde Park, approvals33
- Jamaica Plain, approvals32
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | 434 | $173,642,400 |
| Revere | 66 | $13,881,100 |
| Dorchester | 65 | $13,245,100 |
| Chelsea | 40 | $5,196,500 |
| Hyde Park | 33 | $9,048,000 |
| Jamaica Plain | 32 | $11,775,700 |
| East Boston | 31 | $14,870,800 |
| South Boston | 28 | $10,906,400 |
| 19 other borrower cities | 194 | $44,446,500 |
Boston accounts for 434 approvals against 66 in Revere. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Suffolk County
How large is Suffolk County?
- Land area58 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Massachusetts counties13th of 14
- Width, east to west12.2 mi
- Height, north to south15 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary3
- Residents per square mile of land13,537
- Establishments per square mile379.90
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Suffolk County
Flood risk in Suffolk County
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book4
- Of those, participating in the NFIP4
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 10
- Communities carrying a CRS class1
- Radon levels in Suffolk County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The EPA places Suffolk County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 10, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Suffolk County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Suffolk County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024785,121
- Households327,167
- Average household size2.40
- Median household income$95,631
- Median age33.9
Common questions
Suffolk County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Suffolk County, Massachusetts?
The Census Bureau estimates 793,144 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 785,121, in 327,167 households, ranking 4th of 14 Massachusetts counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Suffolk County's population growing?
The population has fallen 0.97 percent since the 2020 census base of 800,937, to 793,144 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 8,253 births against 4,712 deaths, with net migration of 7,951. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Suffolk County?
$95,631. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $705,800, which is 7.4 times income, and median gross rent is $2,129 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Suffolk County?
22,034 establishments, employing 720,353 people with an annual payroll of $85.85 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Suffolk County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 153,540 jobs, 21.5 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 713,809 jobs at an average annual pay of $131,280, or $2,525 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Suffolk County?
923 7(a) approvals totaling $297.0 m since FY2020, across 85 lenders, with a median approval of $125,000, plus 259 504 approvals worth $179.5 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Suffolk County get paid back?
Of the 185 loans that have reached a final outcome, 160 were paid in full and 25 charged off, a charge-off rate of 13.5 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Suffolk County?
2,007 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $848.6 m. Multifamily was 96.3 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Suffolk County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Suffolk County come from?
The largest single origin is Middlesex County, with 8,050 households. Arriving households report an average income of $111,349 against $137,828 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Suffolk County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Suffolk County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Suffolk County
Cities and places in Suffolk.
4 Census places lie wholly or partly in Suffolk County. All 4 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | city | 666,442 | 434 | Wholly in this county |
| Revere | city | 60,012 | 66 | Wholly in this county |
| Chelsea | city | 39,908 | 40 | Wholly in this county |
| Winthrop Town | city | 18,759 | 14 | Wholly in this county |
A further 369 of the county's 923 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Suffolk County, the largest being Dorchester (65), Hyde Park (33), Jamaica Plain (32). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.