Norfolk Reporter

There were 1,520 fewer people living in Norfolk County in 2021 compared to 2020, according to population estimates from the US Census Bureau.

This is less than a one percent fall in Norfolk County’s population, from 726,025 in 2020 to 724,505 in 2021.

Norfolk County had the fifth largest population in Massachusetts in 2021.

The US Census Bureau found more than 73 percent of counties in the US saw a natural decrease in population in 2021. This is up from a 55.5 percent increase in 2020.

The Midwest suffered the most sustained population decreases, with many counties along the US East Coast and through the Rocky Mountains seeing increases.

The US population continues to grow, though at a slower rate than before.

County	2020 Estimated Population	2021 Estimated Population	% Change in Population From Year to Year
Dukes County	20,581	21,097	2.5%
Nantucket County	14,244	14,491	1.7%
Barnstable County	228,969	232,411	1.5%
Plymouth County	530,979	533,003	0.4%
Bristol County	579,172	580,164	0.2%
Worcester County	861,461	862,029	0.1%
Franklin County	70,988	71,015	0%
Berkshire County	128,758	128,657	-0.1%
Norfolk County	726,025	724,505	-0.2%
Essex County	809,218	807,074	-0.3%
Hampshire County	162,064	161,572	-0.3%
Hampden County	464,908	462,718	-0.5%
Middlesex County	1,629,422	1,614,742	-0.9%
Suffolk County	795,431	771,245	-3%