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CITY · 2020 ACS

Gardner

Massachusetts · 21,287 residents · 22.066 sq mi
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The short version

Gardner has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $51,708. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $192,500. Households here earn about 39% less than the Massachusetts median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% 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
21,287
+2%since 2000
from 20,770 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
965 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 941 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.1
+12%since 2000
from 37.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K20K21K21K21K1990201020202024Gardner
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,708
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,334 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,964
+50%since 2000
from $18,624 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
34.4%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 29.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.7%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade15.9%
US avg: 10%
Information13%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services5.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
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
$192,500
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $104,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$867
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $498 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
54.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 54.6% in 2000
45.8% rent
Afford Score
3.7
+34%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gardner on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.9%(18,882)
Black2.1%(436)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(848)
Asian1.4%(282)
Other0%
Diversity Score18.1%(3,763)
2020
White, non-Hispanic78.6%(16,726)
Black3.3%(699)
Hispanic / Latino11%(2,344)
Asian1.9%(398)
Other3.8%(811)
Diversity Score43.6%(9,282)
Diversity Score
44
+141%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.9%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 15.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.0%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 78.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.2%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.9 min
+75%since 2000
from 17.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 78.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.2%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−5.9 ptssince 2011
from 10.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
59.6%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 62.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.1%
−26.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.6%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Female
49.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Foreign born
8.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.9%
−93.5 ptssince 2013
from 96.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Gardner to nearby cities

GARDNER VS
Fitchburg
Income$73,040+41%
Home value$336,400+75%
Population42,136+96%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GARDNER VS
Leominster
Income$83,816+62%
Home value$380,400+98%
Population44,194+106%
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GARDNER VS
Athol
Income$67,394+30%
Home value$248,700+29%
Population8,801−59%
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GARDNER VS
Milford
Income$78,684+52%
Home value$357,800+86%
Population8,956−58%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Gardner, Massachusetts?

Gardner, Massachusetts has about 21,287 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Gardner, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Gardner, Massachusetts earns about $51,708 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gardner, Massachusetts expensive?

In Gardner, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $192,500, and the typical rent is about $867 a month.

How educated are people in Gardner, Massachusetts?

About 18.9% of adults age 25 and over in Gardner, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gardner, Massachusetts?

About 13.7% of people in Gardner, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gardner, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Gardner, Massachusetts has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,162 residents, a change of about 6 percent over that period.

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

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