Dorchester ZIP Code List — Suffolk County, MA

There are 3 unique ZIP codes in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Area code: 617/857/781.

ZIP codes

5.75

sq mi land

0.53

sq mi water

617/857/781

area code

Dorchester, MA ZIP code map

About Dorchester, MA

Dorchester, Massachusetts is one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the city of Boston. Known for its rich history and diverse community, it serves as a cultural melting pot within Suffolk County. With its unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, Dorchester offers a dynamic lifestyle for its residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Located in Suffolk County, Dorchester spans an area of 5.75 square miles, complemented by an additional 0.53 square miles of water. The neighborhood is bordered by the Boston Harbor to the east and shares its borders with neighboring cities like Quincy, approximately 7 miles to the south, and Milton, about 5 miles to the southwest. Additionally, the scenic coastal geography and proximity to various parks contribute to the area’s appealing landscape.

Community & economy

Dorchester is characterized by its strong sense of community and cultural diversity, with many residents hailing from different backgrounds. The neighborhood hosts a variety of industries, including healthcare, education, and retail, providing ample employment opportunities for locals. Daily life in Dorchester is enriched by local businesses, parks, and community events, which bring residents together and enhance the quality of life.

Transportation

Dorchester is well-connected by several major highways, including I-93 and I-90, making it easily accessible from various parts of the Greater Boston area. The nearest airport is Logan International Airport, situated approximately 8 miles away, offering both domestic and international flights. Public transportation options include the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus and subway services, providing convenient access throughout the region.

History

Dorchester was founded in the early 1600s, making it one of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston. Historically, it became a center for various industries, such as shipbuilding and manufacturing, which played a significant role in the local economy. Notable events in Dorchester's past include its annexation to Boston in 1870, which helped shape its development into the vibrant urban community it is today.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Dorchester is that it is home to the largest park in Boston, Franklin Park, which is a part of the Emerald Necklace park system. Additionally, Dorchester has produced many notable figures, including civil rights leaders and prominent artists, contributing richly to American culture.

ZIP codes for Dorchester, MA (3)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
02121	Dorchester	Suffolk	View map
02122	Dorchester	Suffolk	View map
02125	Dorchester	Suffolk	View map

Demographics & statistics

86,428

Population

34.3

Median age

$61,781

Median household income

$36,905

Per capita income

$593,333

Median home value

$1,648

Median monthly rent

34.6%

Home ownership

20.9%

Poverty rate

7.5%

Unemployment

6,167

Housing units

32.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

2,166

Under 5

2,386

2,082

5–9

2,293

2,694

10–14

2,969

2,638

15–19

2,906

3,144

20–24

3,464

8,159

25–34

8,990

5,706

35–44

6,286

4,658

45–54

5,131

2,754

55–59

3,035

2,136

60–64

2,353

3,298

65–74

3,634

1,303

75–84

1,435

384

85+

424

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	17,714	20.5%
18 and over	68,714	79.5%
65 and over	10,478	12.2%
Median age	34.3 years

Race & ethnicity

Black or African American 31.1%

White 21.9%

Hispanic or Latino 18.5%

Two or more races 11.7%

Other race 9.4%

Asian 7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%

Group	Count	%
Black or African American	32,957	31.1%
White	23,217	21.9%
Hispanic or Latino	19,636	18.5%
Two or more races	12,402	11.7%
Other race	9,934	9.4%
Asian	7,467	7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	451	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 9.0%

$10k–$15k 8.3%

$15k–$25k 10.2%

$25k–$35k 7.5%

$35k–$50k 8.1%

$50k–$75k 12.4%

$75k–$100k 9.7%

$100k–$150k 13.8%

$150k–$200k 9.4%

$200k+ 11.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	9.0%
$10k–$15k	8.3%
$15k–$25k	10.2%
$25k–$35k	7.5%
$35k–$50k	8.1%
$50k–$75k	12.4%
$75k–$100k	9.7%
$100k–$150k	13.8%
$150k–$200k	9.4%
$200k+	11.7%
Median income	$61,781

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.3%

$50k–$100k 0.1%

$100k–$150k 0.6%

$150k–$200k 0.9%

$200k–$300k 5.9%

$300k–$500k 22.9%

$500k–$1M 56.4%

$1M+ 8.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$593,333
Median rent / month	$1,648
Owner occupied	34.6%
Renter occupied	65.4%
Vacant	9.1%
Single-family detached	9.8%
Large apartment buildings	9.7%
Mobile homes	0.1%
Median rooms	4.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.63

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	5.6%
2000–2009	5.9%
1990–1999	4.2%
1980–1989	5.0%
1970–1979	6.6%
1960–1969	6.5%
1950–1959	7.7%
1940–1949	4.5%
1939 or earlier	53.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.0%
1 bedroom	13.1%
2 bedrooms	37.6%
3 bedrooms	32.3%
4 bedrooms	9.2%
5+ bedrooms	4.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	29.1%
1 vehicle	42.7%
2 vehicles	21.0%
3 or more	7.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	65.4%
Electricity	22.4%
Propane / LP gas	3.0%
Fuel oil	7.9%
No fuel used	0.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	9,084	27.8%
Cohabiting couple	2,272	6.9%
Male householder, no spouse	7,586	22.5%
Female householder, no spouse	14,304	42.8%
Households with children under 18	9,784	29.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	7,779	23.4%
Average household size	2.58

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	52.7%	53.4%
Married	36.9%	27.5%
Separated	2.1%	4.3%
Widowed	1.4%	5.4%
Divorced	6.8%	9.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 10.4%

Some HS, no diploma 7.8%

HS graduate 28.1%

Some college, no degree 16.2%

Associate's degree 5.1%

Bachelor's degree 19.2%

Graduate / professional 13.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	81.8%
Bachelor's or higher	32.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	958	4.2%
Kindergarten	1,256	5.7%
Elementary school	8,281	36.0%
High school	4,408	19.6%
College / grad school	7,916	34.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.2%

Professional & management 15.0%

Retail trade 11.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.1%

Finance & real estate 6.9%

Transportation & utilities 5.5%

Public administration 5.4%

Other services 5.2%

Construction 5.0%

Manufacturing 4.4%

Information 2.2%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Agriculture & mining 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	37.9%
Service	25.5%
Sales & office	20.5%
Natural resources & construction	6.5%
Production & transportation	9.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.6%
Government	14.6%
Self-employed	3.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	42.7%
Carpool	9.2%
Public transit	31.2%
Walk	5.3%
Other means	3.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	32.8

Poverty

All people 20.9%

Under 18 years 29.3%

18 and over 18.8%

Married-couple families 10.6%

Female-led households 31.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	20.9%
Retirement income	10.5%
Supplemental Security	10.9%
Cash public assistance	5.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	29.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	29.2%
High cholesterol	25.4%
Heart disease	5.1%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	12.9%
Arthritis	20.6%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	5.9%
Cancer	4.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.6%
No physical activity	27.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.8%
Fair or poor health	17.6%
Poor mental health	16.9%
Poor physical health	10.6%
No health insurance	11.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.8%
Visited dentist	57.1%
Cholesterol screening	87.0%
Teeth loss	19.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,872	2.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.2%
Under 18	7.5%
18–64 years	11.9%
65 and over	38.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	55.3%
Public insurance	48.6%
Uninsured under 19	1.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	81,876	94.7%
Spanish	17,745	21.8%
Other Indo-European	8,402	10.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	4,988	6.1%
Other languages	3,398	4.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	57,315	66.3%
Born in same state	52,703	61.0%
Born in different state	41,590	48.2%
Foreign born	4,612	5.3%
Naturalized citizen	29,113	33.7%
Not a US citizen	16,174	55.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	7,366	8.5%
Arab	1,652	1.9%
French	1,618	1.9%
German	738	0.9%
Norwegian	286	0.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	179	0.2%
Polish	162	0.2%
Irish	104	0.1%
Dutch	37	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.4%
Internet access	92.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Dorchester, MA have?

Dorchester, MA has 3 ZIP codes: 02121, 02122, 02125. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.

What is the main ZIP code for Dorchester, MA?

The primary ZIP code for Dorchester, MA is 02121. The city uses area code 617 or 857 or 781 for phone service.

What county is Dorchester, MA in?

Dorchester is located in Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

How many ZIP codes are in Dorchester, MA?

Dorchester, MA has 3 ZIP codes.

What ZIP code covers the Dorchester neighborhood around the Boston College campus and Morrissey Boulevard?

The Boston College area and Morrissey Boulevard waterfront in Dorchester are primarily located in ZIP code 02125.

Which ZIP codes serve the Codman Square and Four Corners neighborhoods in Dorchester?

Codman Square and the Four Corners area are served by ZIP codes 02121 and 02122, which cover much of central and northern Dorchester.