RANK #871 / 1001 NAT · #12 / 12 MA · POP 1,638,365
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
Concord, Massachusetts, a town within Middlesex County, holds historical significance as the site of the first armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War, alongside Lexington. Located west and northwest of Boston, Middlesex County offers a blend of suburban and urban environments. Commuting to Boston is feasible, with options including the MBTA commuter rail from towns like Concord and West Concord, and various shuttle services connecting to MBTA stations like Alewife. The county features diverse natural scenery, including rivers like the Merrimack and Concord, and notable spots like Walden Pond and the expansive Middlesex Fells Reservation, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and boating.
Life in Middlesex County is characterized by a high quality of life, supported by strong educational institutions, including Harvard University and MIT in Cambridge, and top-rated public schools across many towns. The economy is driven by innovation, with a concentration of technology, education, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. While the county experienced a slight decline in employment between September 2024 and September 2025, average weekly wages saw a significant increase, making Middlesex County among the highest in the U.S. for average weekly wages. This economic landscape attracts professionals and families seeking both career opportunities and community amenities.
Middlesex County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.1% runs below the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Middlesex County scores just 12/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #871 of 1001 counties. Job growth at -2.5% and median household income of $130,847 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Middlesex County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $727,800 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.18 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $2,201/month on average.
Middlesex County is attracting residents (population +0.9% YoY) even as the job market softens with employment at -2.5%. Housing values changed +1.1% over the past 12 months. People may be moving here for affordability or lifestyle reasons rather than job opportunities.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.66% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Middlesex County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.