CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Amherst

Massachusetts · 39,263 residents · 27.624 sq mi
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The short version

Amherst has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $56,906. Population has held roughly steady since 2021. 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $369,600. At a median age of 21.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 33% less than the Massachusetts median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 21.8
US median: 38.8
More educated
71% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
39,263
Unchangedvs 2021
vs 39,416 in 2021
2020 – 2025
Population density
1,421 / sq mi
Unchangedvs 2021
vs 1,427 / sq mi in 2021
US average: 280
Median age
21.8
+2%vs 2021
vs 21.3 in 2021
US average: 38.8
Population, 2020 – 2024
33K35K36K38K40K20202024Amherst
202438K
20202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,906
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2021
vs $61,127 in 2021
US average: $66,278
2020 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,336
−4%vs 2021
vs $26,341 in 2021
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
44.5%
−1.1 ptsvs 2021
vs 45.6% in 2021
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.1%
+1.1 ptsvs 2021
vs 23.9% in 2021
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade3%
US avg: 10%
Other services2.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade1.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance1.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$369,600
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2021
vs $392,900 in 2021
US average: $265,253
2020 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,275
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2021
vs $1,340 in 2021
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
44.1%
−1.5 ptsvs 2021
vs 45.5% in 2021
55.9% rent
Afford Score
6.5
+1%vs 2021
vs 6.4 in 2021
2020 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Amherst on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2021
White, non-Hispanic66.9%(26,382)
Black5.5%(2,185)
Hispanic / Latino8.2%(3,246)
Asian13.1%(5,154)
Other6.2%(2,449)
Diversity Score65.1%(25,679)
2020
White, non-Hispanic61.5%(24,135)
Black5.7%(2,228)
Hispanic / Latino9.7%(3,807)
Asian17.8%(6,975)
Other6.1%(2,409)
Diversity Score72.6%(28,487)
Diversity Score
73
+11%vs 2021
vs 65 in 2021
2020 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
71.0%
+0.1 ptsvs 2021
vs 70.8% in 2021
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.5%
−0.9 ptsvs 2021
vs 97.4% in 2021
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
46.4%
−1.1 ptsvs 2021
vs 47.5% in 2021
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.5 min
−4%vs 2021
vs 19.2 min in 2021
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
42.6%
+0.2 ptsvs 2021
vs 42.4% in 2021
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
13.9%
+0.1 ptsvs 2021
vs 13.8% in 2021
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.8%
+0.7 ptsvs 2021
vs 10.1% in 2021
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
56.4%
+1.7 ptsvs 2021
vs 54.6% in 2021
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
45.2%
−2.2 ptsvs 2021
vs 47.4% in 2021
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.9%
+1.1 ptsvs 2021
vs 48.8% in 2021
Female
50.1%
−1.1 ptsvs 2021
vs 51.2% in 2021
Foreign born
17.2%
+0.6 ptsvs 2021
vs 16.6% in 2021
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.8%
Unchangedvs 2021
vs 2.8% in 2021
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Amherst to nearby cities

AMHERST VS
Northampton
Income$80,288+41%
Home value$429,700+16%
Population31,047−24%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AMHERST VS
Holyoke
Income$53,605−6%
Home value$274,100−26%
Population38,023−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AMHERST VS
Chicopee
Income$62,615+10%
Home value$274,500−26%
Population55,310+35%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AMHERST VS
Palmer
Income$78,480+38%
Home value$271,400−27%
Population12,367−70%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Amherst, Massachusetts?

Amherst, Massachusetts has about 39,263 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Amherst, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Amherst, Massachusetts earns about $56,906 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Amherst, Massachusetts expensive?

In Amherst, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $369,600, and the typical rent is about $1,275 a month.

How educated are people in Amherst, Massachusetts?

About 71.0% of adults age 25 and over in Amherst, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Amherst, Massachusetts?

About 25.1% of people in Amherst, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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