See How Medford's Poverty Rate Compares to Communities Nearby
According to numbers from the U.S. Census, 8.3 percent of people in Medford live below the poverty level. See how our city compares.
Medford has a poverty rate lower than national and state averages, as well as many communities nearby, according to data from the U.S. Census.
Medford's poverty rate stood at 8.3 percent, as of 2010, according to the data. In the United States, the poverty rate in 2010 was 15.1 percent. That number was up from 14.3 percent in 2009 and 12.5 percent in 2007. Massachusetts has a poverty rate of 10.5 percent.
The U.S. Census uses a number of "thresholds" to measure poverty, which you can find here. In the example given by the U.S. Census, using 2010 numbers, a family of five, with a mother, father, great aunt and two children living in the household, would be considered living in poverty if the family income were $26,675 or less.
How does Medford compare to other communities in the area? By way of example, Boston's poverty rate was 21.2 percent, Somerville's was 14.7 percent, Malden's was 12.8 percent, and Arlington's was 4.9 percent.
Here's a chart showing the poverty rates in Somerville and neighboring communities.
| Community | Persons below poverty level, 2006-2010 |
| Arlington | 4.9 percent |
| Boston | 21.2 percent |
| Cambridge | 15 percent |
| Chelsea | 24.2 percent |
| Everett | 11.9 percent |
| Lynnfield | 4.1 percent |
| Malden | 12.8 percent |
| Medford | 8.3 percent |
| Melrose | 4.7 percent |
| Reading | 1.7 percent |
| Revere | 14.7 percent |
| Saugus | 5.1 percent |
| Somerville | 14.7 percent |
| Stoneham | 6.5 percent |
| Wakefield | 2.4 percent |
| Winchester | 2.5 percent |
| Winthrop | 10.2 percent |
| Woburn | 5.9 percent |
| Massachusetts | 10.5 percent |
jay f
9:42 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
So why does the Mayor want to increase taxes? Maybe he needs to read the statistics. I really don't think he cares about the people of Medford. He has an agenda and that's all he cares about. Spend, spend, spend, tax the people. Thank you Mayor McGlynn
Frank Mulligan
10:28 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
Jay, It's TRUE. Mc Glynn DON"T care about anyone but HIMSELF. He will do what he wants to do. Medford residents should see this now. When they realize it. It will be to LATE I noticed it a while back. Medford needs a lot of CHANGES now. Medford does'nt have the $$$$$$ NOW. Thank Michael Mc Glynn.
ella watson
10:28 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
jay f. You are right and to the point. Its frightening to think that the Mayors personal agenda could cost medford residents their homes,and possibly destroy or distort their lively The council in the past did not know how to stop the Mayor..I am confident that Penta and Loungo will do their best to not let this happen. Hopefully the Ethics Commission will invesigate alledged corruption. Whats comforting is that information is in the hands of national media..They will investigate from behind the scenes ..(from what I have been told)...The Mayors rant on who to blame for delays Patch help to seal the deal. The Mayors agenda includes getting people that have lived in this city..carried this city..have contibuted to the tax base for 2 plus decades in this city.. to just go away..move..shut up.. face forclosures..Buy food or Pay taxes and/or struggle with their water bill...or forced to sell their homes because of an unforeseen tax burden. 3 miilon seniors will be loosing their homes across
America (boston globe 2012)..Medford seniors are not immuned to this fact.
Jay f..... We must keep citizens informed. The truth will only come from the citizens and a few city councilors....Be informed..stay informed
stevieB
4:07 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Democrat run baby..keep everyone on the dole..its for the children!
ella watson
9:59 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The census info for Medford is flawed, misrepresented and manipulated. Their is proof of this. There are many residents that have lied on our Medford census for over a decade. Some of the people who are doing this are or have been part of the Mayors team in the last decade. This causes problem for everyone in Medford. The Mayor is well informed on who these people are. Request for information is refused, only to receive responding letters stating there isn't any.
How can we rely on these statistics when they are not accurate. There are also departments who are also providing or failing to provide accurate information to the county, state and federal government.
Departments have been notified repeatedly ..nothing has been done. I hope the Mayor realises someday soon he will have to answer for it. The corruption is at every level ..city hall workers are only doing their jobs and following orders..they are not responsible for whats happenings. On the other hand Department heads are
co-conspirators. They can come clean anytime they want. Lets see who does? We can run and honest city and reap the rewards..but as long as you have a corrupt Mayor..it will only get worse. What Medford needs are more "Whistleblowers" the number is growing.
Medford is not the only city or town to have alledged corruption.
Medford just hasn't been Fully exposed...YET