Cambridge, MA · standard
ZIP Code 02138
Middlesex County, Massachusetts - Census ACS demographics, housing tenure, and business patterns, benchmarked against every US ZIP.
- 36,314
- 5,116/sq mi High-density area
- $119,967
- Median income Above-median income area
- $1,212,400
- Median home value Above-median home value
- 85.6%
- Bachelor's or higher Above-average bachelor's attainment
National ZIP placement
Cambridge pairs a top-decile household income with top-decile home values, in a suburban-density, mixed-tenure area.
- Top 10%
- household income, US ZIPs
- Top 1%
- home value, US ZIPs
- 5,116
- people per sq mi
- 42%
- owner-occupied homes
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023). Percentiles rank ZIP 02138 against every reporting US ZIP.
ZIP code 02138 is a densely settled ZIP (a standard USPS delivery area) in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with 36,314 residents across 7.1 square miles, a density of 5,116 people per square mile, in the New York time zone.
ZIP 02138 skews affluent, with a median household income of $119,967 (4% above the average Massachusetts ZIP), while per-capita income is $75,496. The poverty rate is 13.5%, with unemployment at 3.3%; those measures add context to the income figure. Housing costs run above the statewide ZIP benchmark while renting is common: median home value is $1,212,400 (102% above the average Massachusetts ZIP), with only 41.9% owner-occupied homes and median rent of $2,772.
This is a highly-educated ZIP: 85.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, the median age is 28.3, and the average commute is 24 minutes. The page also surfaces 10 ZIP codes within roughly 10 miles and 6 more in Middlesex County, so 02138 can be compared with both its immediate and county-level context.
Every figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (including median rent) and the FHFA House Price Index, no estimates, no proprietary scoring. Verify with Census →
Top industries in ZIP 02138
Top 5 sectors by establishment count in Cambridge, MA
Which industries have the most business establishments in ZIP 02138.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
Professional, scientific, and technical services
215 establishments
- Accommodation and food services
Accommodation and food services
159 establishments
- Health care and social assistance
Health care and social assistance
139 establishments
- Other services (except public administration)
Other services (except public administration)
113 establishments
- Retail trade
Retail trade
107 establishments
What this shows Establishment counts come from the Census ZIP Code Business Patterns program, which counts physical business locations rather than employees or revenue.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates + ZIP Code Business Patterns + FHFA HPI ACS demographics and median rent, ZBP business establishments, FHFA HPI for ZIP 02138, Cambridge, MA · 2023 Census ACS 5-Year Estimates use a rolling 60-month sample for stable small-geography estimates; ZBP updated annually; FHFA HPI updated quarterly/annually.
Quick Facts
36,314
Population
7.1
Area (sq mi)
5,116
People / sq mi
New York
Time Zone
standard
ZIP Type
Who lives in ZIP 02138?
28.3
Median Age
48.1%
Male
51.9%
Female
24.7%
Foreign-Born
Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity category from the Census Bureau and may overlap with other categories above.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
How much do residents earn?
$119,967
Median Household Income
+4% vs state ZIP avg
$75,496
Per Capita Income
13.5%
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Unemployment Rate
23.6 min
Mean Commute Time
How ZIP 02138 ranks nationally
Cambridge, MA household income vs. every US ZIP code
Median household income, the full national distribution, with this ZIP marked
$119,967 Top 10% higher than 90% of 30,318 US ZIPs
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US ZIPs. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2019–2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
What is the education profile here?
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
What does housing look like?
Housing stock: occupied vs vacant
16,043housing units
16,043
Total Housing Units
14,169
Occupied Units
1,874
Vacant Units
2.04
Avg Household Size
Occupancy Type
$1,212,400
Median Home Value
+102% vs state ZIP avg
$2,772
Median Rent
1938
Median Year Built
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
How have home values changed over time?
FHFA House Price Index, annual appreciation data based on repeat sales and appraisals
+1.9%
YoY Change (2021)
262
HPI Index (2000 = 100)
+162%
Total Change Since 2000
Home values in ZIP 02138 have increased 1.9% over the past year (2021). Since 2000, this ZIP has seen +162% cumulative appreciation.
| Year | Annual Change | HPI Index |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | +6.2% | 233 |
| 2018 | +8.8% | 253 |
| 2019 | +6.1% | 269 |
| 2020 | -4.5% | 257 |
| 2021 | +1.9% | 262 |
Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index, All-Transactions, Five-Digit ZIP Codes (Developmental Index). Index base = 100 in year 2000. Data through 2021. ZIP codes with few transactions may show missing values.
What businesses operate in this ZIP?
Census Bureau data shows 1,072 business establishments in ZIP 02138, employing approximately 46,771 people with a combined annual payroll of $3,706,071,000.
1,072
Businesses
46,771
Employees
$3.7B
Annual Payroll
16
Industry Sectors
| Industry | Establishments | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 215 | 20.1% |
| Accommodation and food services | 159 | 14.8% |
| Health care and social assistance | 139 | 13.0% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 113 | 10.5% |
| Retail trade | 107 | 10.0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 65 | 6.1% |
| Finance and insurance | 47 | 4.4% |
| Educational services | 46 | 4.3% |
| Information | 43 | 4.0% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 31 | 2.9% |
| Manufacturing | 27 | 2.5% |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 25 | 2.3% |
| Construction | 22 | 2.0% |
| Wholesale trade | 17 | 1.6% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 8 | 0.8% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 6 | 0.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP), 2023. Employment figures may include noise for disclosure avoidance.
Nearby ZIP Codes
Want a side-by-side? Compare 02138 vs 02140 →
ZIP 02138 vs its nearest neighbors, by population
Resident population of this ZIP and the closest reporting ZIP codes within ~10 miles.
- 02135
Brighton (02135)
42,780 residents
- 02139
Cambridge (02139)
36,349 residents
- 02138
Cambridge (02138)
36,314 residents
- 02472
Watertown (02472)
32,014 residents
- 02446
Brookline (02446)
29,311 residents
- 02143
Somerville (02143)
24,514 residents
- 02144
Somerville (02144)
23,891 residents
- 02134
Allston (02134)
21,503 residents
- 02445
Brookline (02445)
20,679 residents
What this shows Among its immediate neighbors, ZIP 02138 ranks #3 by population - useful context the national average alone can't give.
ZIP 02138 vs its nearest neighbors, by median income
Median household income of this ZIP and the closest reporting ZIP codes within ~10 miles.
- 02144
Somerville (02144)
$150,313 median income
- 02445
Brookline (02445)
$139,747 median income
- 02140
Cambridge (02140)
$135,286 median income
- 02139
Cambridge (02139)
$134,586 median income
- 02446
Brookline (02446)
$131,963 median income
- 02143
Somerville (02143)
$130,753 median income
- 02472
Watertown (02472)
$126,336 median income
- 02138
Cambridge (02138)
$119,967 median income
- 02135
Brighton (02135)
$90,829 median income
What this shows By household income, ZIP 02138 ranks #8 of 9 neighboring ZIPs, local affluence varies block to block, not just metro to metro.
| ZIP Code | City | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02140 | Cambridge, MA | 17,607 | 0.9 mi |
| 02134 | Allston, MA | 21,503 | 1.6 mi |
| 02163 | Boston, MA | 2,582 | 1.2 mi |
| 02144 | Somerville, MA | 23,891 | 1.6 mi |
| 02143 | Somerville, MA | 24,514 | 1.9 mi |
| 02139 | Cambridge, MA | 36,349 | 2.0 mi |
| 02446 | Brookline, MA | 29,311 | 2.6 mi |
| 02135 | Brighton, MA | 42,780 | 2.3 mi |
| 02472 | Watertown, MA | 32,014 | 2.3 mi |
| 02445 | Brookline, MA | 20,679 | 3.7 mi |
Nationwide ZIPs with similar ACS profiles
Two Census-derived peer sets for ZIP 02138, both outside MA so the neighborhoods are not geographic containment (Nearby and same-county blocks stay local).
Similar population
Nearest cross-state ZIPs by resident population (36,314 here; floor ≥1,000).
Similar median household income
Nearest cross-state ZIPs by ACS median household income.
More ZIP Codes in Middlesex County
Related Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is ZIP code 02138 in?
ZIP code 02138 (Cambridge) is located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Middlesex County contains multiple ZIP codes, see the full list at /counties/middlesex-ma.
What is the population of ZIP code 02138?
ZIP code 02138 in Cambridge, MA has a population of 36,314 according to the Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.
What is the median household income in ZIP 02138?
The median household income in ZIP 02138 is $119,967, which is 57% above the national average of $76,288.
What is the average home value in ZIP 02138?
The median home value in ZIP 02138 is $1,212,400, which is 336% above the national average of $278,155.
What is the demographic makeup of ZIP 02138?
The largest racial group in ZIP 02138 is White at 60.8%. Hispanic or Latino residents make up 10.0% of the population.
How many businesses are in ZIP code 02138?
ZIP code 02138 has 1,072 business establishments employing approximately 46,771 people, according to Census Bureau ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP) 2023 data.
What are the main industries in ZIP code 02138?
The top industries by establishment count in ZIP 02138 are: Professional, scientific, and technical services (215), Accommodation and food services (159), Health care and social assistance (139). There are 16 industry sectors represented in total.
How have home values changed in ZIP code 02138?
According to the FHFA House Price Index, home values in ZIP 02138 increased by 1.9% in 2021. Since 2000, home values in this ZIP have appreciated by approximately 162%. This is a developmental index based on repeat sales and appraisal data from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
What is the education level in ZIP code 02138?
In ZIP code 02138, 89.3% of residents aged 25+ have a high school diploma or higher, and 85.6% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. These figures come from the Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023).
What is the average commute time in ZIP 02138?
The mean commute time for workers in ZIP code 02138 is 23.6 minutes according to Census ACS data. The national average is roughly 26 minutes, so commuters here spend less time traveling to work than typical.
What percentage of residents own vs. rent in ZIP 02138?
In ZIP code 02138, approximately 41.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied and 58.1% are renter-occupied, based on Census ACS 2023 data.
What is the poverty rate in ZIP code 02138?
The poverty rate in ZIP code 02138 is 13.5% according to Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. This measures the percentage of the population living below the federal poverty threshold.
Related
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What to do with ZIP 02138's numbers, next.
- See how ZIP 02138 compares to a neighboring ZIP code on the same Census fields Compare this ZIP
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ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are Census Bureau approximations of USPS ZIP codes; figures describe the ZCTA area, not any single address within it.