Worcester, MA Metro Area

Worcester, MA · Metro Area

867,788Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 1 county, part of the Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $95,939
Median home value: $423,700
Land area: 1,511 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Worcester County, MA	Central	867,788	$95,939	$423,700

Largest cities and towns

89 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Worcester, MA	City	207,055	$70,102
Leominster, MA	City	43,909	$83,816
Fitchburg, MA	City	41,798	$73,040
Shrewsbury, MA	Town	38,876	$139,302
Milford, MA	Town	30,431	$96,365
Milford (CDP), MA	CDP	27,731	$93,310
Westborough, MA	Town	21,944	$141,944
Gardner, MA	City	21,148	$67,518
Holden, MA	Town	20,064	$141,923
Grafton, MA	Town	19,902	$131,484
Southbridge Town, MA	City	17,928	$66,287
Webster, MA	Town	17,748	$72,895
Auburn, MA	Town	16,970	$116,711
Northbridge, MA	Town	16,458	$111,319
Northborough, MA	Town	15,750	$153,199
Clinton, MA	Town	15,563	$89,781
Uxbridge, MA	Town	14,473	$124,725
Millbury, MA	Town	13,961	$118,790
Charlton, MA	Town	13,435	$117,587
Oxford, MA	Town	13,385	$103,862
Webster (CDP), MA	CDP	12,228	$63,837
Athol, MA	Town	12,011	$69,316
Spencer, MA	Town	12,008	$80,533
Dudley, MA	Town	11,929	$84,604
Lunenburg, MA	Town	11,902	$112,828

Also in the Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH combined area

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH · metro · 4,953,354 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA · metro · 1,684,071 Manchester-Nashua, NH · metro · 426,378 Barnstable Town, MA · metro · 231,668 Concord, NH · micro · 155,967 Laconia, NH · micro · 64,659

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Unemployment

5.3%

College Educated

39.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$95,939

Mean Household Income

$124,653

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.7%

Female

50.3%

Population Split

Male49.7%

Female50.3%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

Irish17.1%

Italian11.5%

English9.5%

French8.0%

German5.0%

Polish4.7%

African2.1%

Scottish1.8%

Mexican0.9%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

14.5%Foreign Born

85.5%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized52.7%

Non-Citizen47.3%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later43.9%

Before 201056.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

355,185

Median Rent

$1,426/mo

Median Home Value

$423,700

Median Year Built

1967

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

208,005

College Enrollment

21.9%

High School

21.7%

College Educated

39.7%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

29.2 min

Drive Alone Rate

70.5%

Public Transit

1.5%

Work From Home

15.6%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

20.6%

18-34 Years

22.3%

35-64 Years

40.1%

65+ Years

17.0%

Population Composition

Under 1820.6%

18-3422.3%

35-6440.1%

65+17.0%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

47.7%

Single Parent

6.2%

Living Alone

26.7%

Avg Size

2.50

Household Types

Married Couples47.7%

Single Parent6.2%

Living Alone26.7%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$48,914

SNAP Usage

15.9%

Health Insurance

97.5%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k12.9%

$25k - $50k13.7%

$50k - $100k25.4%

$100k+48.0%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

11.3%

Retail Trade

11.1%

Education & Health Care

27.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

13.4%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

97.5%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

92.9%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

95.7%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

102.5

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

113.5

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

How can this information help me in marketing?