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PantryPath Research · Child Poverty Atlas

Child Poverty in
Massachusetts

Massachusetts's child poverty rate is 12.7% across 14 counties, meaning 168K children under 18 live in households below the federal poverty line. Use the interactive map below to see how poverty varies within the state.

12.7%

Child poverty rate (0–17)

168K

Children in poverty

10.5%

All-ages poverty

$99,750

Median income

Massachusetts by county

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Toggle between five SAIPE metrics to see how poverty varies within Massachusetts. Hover a county for its exact rate.

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Massachusetts at a glance

Children in poverty

168K

Ages 0–17

Child poverty rate

12.7%

Ages 0–17

5–17 poverty rate

12.3%

Title I allocator

All-ages poverty

10.5%

Entire population

Concentration

1.21×

Child ÷ all-ages

Median income

$99,750

Inflation-adjusted

County-level hotspots

Five-county rankings across 14 counties in Massachusetts.

Highest child poverty

Ages 0–17, rate

  1. 1 Hampden County 26.4%
  2. 2 Suffolk County 20.3%
  3. 3 Bristol County 18.4%
  4. 4 Berkshire County 16.5%
  5. 5 Franklin County 14.6%

Lowest child poverty

Ages 0–17, rate

  1. 1 Nantucket County 6.6%
  2. 2 Norfolk County 6.6%
  3. 3 Middlesex County 7.6%
  4. 4 Plymouth County 8.5%
  5. 5 Barnstable County 11.5%

Most children in poverty

Absolute count, ages 0–17

  1. 1 Hampden County 25K
  2. 2 Suffolk County 24K
  3. 3 Middlesex County 24K
  4. 4 Worcester County 23K
  5. 5 Bristol County 21K

Every county in Massachusetts

All 14 counties across the five SAIPE metrics plus median income.

County Children 0–17 Ages 5–17 All ages Concentration Child count Median income
Barnstable County 11.5% 11.3% 8.9% 1.29× 3,582 $89,448
Berkshire County 16.5% 15.1% 12.5% 1.32× 3,212 $74,535
Bristol County 18.4% 17.9% 12.7% 1.45× 21,321 $81,047
Dukes County 11.6% 10.8% 8.5% 1.36× 415 $94,059
Essex County 12.5% 12.9% 9.6% 1.30× 20,531 $96,303
Franklin County 14.6% 13.0% 11.9% 1.23× 1,645 $71,256
Hampden County 26.4% 25.7% 17.6% 1.50× 24,580 $67,155
Hampshire County 11.7% 10.2% 12.4% 0.94× 2,591 $80,839
Middlesex County 7.6% 7.4% 7.7% 0.99× 23,577 $123,288
Nantucket County 6.6% 6.0% 6.5% 1.02× 191 $108,671
Norfolk County 6.6% 6.4% 7.7% 0.86× 9,563 $123,449
Plymouth County 8.5% 8.0% 8.0% 1.06× 9,102 $107,828
Suffolk County 20.3% 21.6% 15.1% 1.34× 24,217 $91,386
Worcester County 13.4% 11.6% 10.9% 1.23× 23,119 $93,561

Help for families in Massachusetts

Free meals, WIC, SNAP, and nutrition help for children in low-income households.

Families & children guide

Massachusetts SNAP benefits

State-by-state SNAP eligibility, apply online, benefit amounts, and coverage gaps.

Massachusetts SNAP guide

Find a food pantry

Search Massachusetts's verified pantries — by ZIP, city, or county.

Massachusetts food pantries