Demographic Data

The Greater Lowell region consists of the City of Lowell, the economic center of the region, and its eight suburbs - Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, and Westford. The region has a land area of approximately 196 square miles and an inland water area of 5.76 square miles. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Greater Lowell region had a population of 310,009 in 2020, which represents an increase of 8.0% since 2010. More information is available on the Population by Community (PDF) table compiled from the 2000, 2010, and 2020 Decennial Census data and the Annual Estimates of the 2024 Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions data.

Greater Lowell Region Population

The latest U.S. Census 2024 population estimates for Northern Middlesex communities (PDF) were released May 15, 2025 by the UMass Amherst Donahue Institute. The estimates are based on county-level household population estimates distributed to each city and town based on housing units and group quarters populations. The 2024 population estimates are also available for download in Excel format.

Municipal Summary reports for all NMCOG communities are available below. The reports feature key 2020 Census demographic information on population, race, and housing from the UMass Amherst Donahue Institute. Note that Decennial Census data is based on official counts and newer information is based on modeled estimates.

For more U.S. Census or American Community Survey information, visit Explore Census Data or contact NMCOG at 978-454-8021.

Housing Units & Density by Community

The total number of housing units in the region increased from 109,446 units in 2010 to 117,872 units in 2020, an increase of 7.7%. Housing data for 2000, 2010 and 2020 can be found for each community and the region on the Housing Units and Density by Community table (PDF).

Commuting Patterns by Community

Commuting in the Greater Lowell region continues to reflect the area’s economic and geographic position between Greater Boston and southern New Hampshire. According to 2022 U.S. Census LEHD OnTheMap data, approximately 70% of employed residents of Greater Lowell work outside the region, while about 64% of those working within the region live elsewhere. The largest inflows of workers come from Nashua (New Hampshire), Lawrence, Methuen, and Boston, reflecting the region’s cross-border employment dynamic. Residents who live and work locally are often employed in education, healthcare, restaurants, retail, and local services. Many of those commuting outside the region, particularly from Westford, Chelmsford, and Dunstable, work in higher-income, high-tech, or professional industries along the Route 128 / Interstate 95 corridor and in the Greater Boston area. Cross-border is most common for residents of Tyngsborough, Dunstable, and Pepperell, given their proximity to New Hampshire.