By analyzing Census data from the 2012-2016 American Community Survey, HomeSnacks has put together a list of the wealthiest cities in the Commonwealth.
Three main factors were used to determine individual rankings; median household income, poverty level, and unemployment rate. 53 places in Massachusetts were determined to have populations of 12,000 people or more and ranked from 1-53 in each of the three main categories.
Once those rankings were averaged, HomeSnacks was able to determine the "Richest Place in Massachusetts for 2018."
1. Newton
Nichols House.(Photo by Thomas Kelley/Wikipedia)
With a median income of $127,402, Newton tops the list of the wealthiest Massachusetts cities. The Boston suburb has a healthy population of 88,317 with an unemployment rate of 4.4% and a poverty rate of 4.4%.
2. Melrose
The Gazebo at Ell Pond Park. (Photo by Elizabeth B. Thomsen/Wikipedia)
This Greater Boston metropolitan area has a population of 27,787 and a median income of $87,712, well below Newton's $127,402, but Melrose claims the second spot on this list with a staggeringly low poverty rate of 3.8%. With unemployment at only 4.3%, this suburb of 27,787 seems like a great place to live.
3. Franklin
Main Street, Franklin Massachusetts. (Photo by John Phelan/Wikipedia)
With a population of 32,873, a median income of $108,815, unemployment at 6.2%, and the poverty rate at just 4.2%, Franklin comes in third for wealthiest Massachusetts cities. The Town of Franklin, located in Norfolk County, is one of fourteen Massachusetts municipalities that have been granted city-status while allowed to maintain "The Town of" in their official name. Franklin is home to the nation's first library, with books donated by none other than Ben Franklin himself, and also houses the largest Catholic parish in the Boston Archdiocese, St. Mary's with a congregation of 15,000 members.
4. Woburn
Benjamin Thompson House. (Photo by Daderot/Wikipedia)
This Middlesex County city of 39,220 grabs the fourth spot on this list with a median income of $83,872, unemployment at 5.4%, and a poverty rate of 7.2%.
5. Amesbury
Amesbury City Hall. (Photo by Fletcher6/Wikipedia)
With only 17,082 residents, The Town of Amesbury is the smallest municipality on this list. Located in Essex County, Amesbury claims a median income of $75,861, an unemployment rate of 5.3%, and a poverty rate of 5.6%.
6. Marlborough
Population: 39,545
Median Income: $72,222
Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
Poverty Rate: 7.2%
7. Watertown
Population: 33,849
Median Income: $92,050
Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
Poverty Rate: 8.3%
8. Newburyport
Population: 17,837
Median Income: $87,162
Unemployment Rate: 6.3%
Poverty Rate: 7.8%
9. Waltham
Population: 62,699
Median Income: $82,188
Unemployment Rate: 5.3%
Poverty Rate: 10.0%
10. Braintree
Population: 37,066
Median Income: $85,863
Unemployment Rate: 6.9%
Poverty Rate: 5.8%