Portuguese is the third most commonly spoken language in Massachusetts (after English and Spanish), accounting for about 6% of the total population.
Unofficial sources within our communities estimate that numbers of Portuguese speakers in the state are considerably higher, based on service statistics, school enrollments and other data sources.
According to recent estimates, there are about 84,214 people of Brazilian ancestry in Massachusetts, representing about 1.2% of the state’s population. The median age is 35 years old.
There are about 270,183 people of Portuguese ancestry reported living in Massachusetts, making up 4% of the state population. The median age is 39 years old.
The latest estimate indicates that roughly 70,000 people of Cabo Verdean ancestry live in Massachusetts, about 1% of the total population, with the median age being 36 years old.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019 5-Year Estimates; Ancestry and Population Data | Updated Nov. 2025
