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CITY · 2010 ACS

New Bedford

Massachusetts · 95,072 residents · 20.001 sq mi
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The short version

New Bedford has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,172. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $244,900. The poverty rate of 22.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 44% less than the Massachusetts median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 36.6
US median: 37.2
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 70%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
95,072
+1%since 2000
from 93,768 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,753 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 4,688 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
36.6
+2%since 2000
from 35.9 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
90K93K96K99K102K1990201020202024New Bedford
2024101K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,172
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,569 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,447
+31%since 2000
from $15,602 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
20.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
22.7%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 20.2% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.464
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade13.9%
US avg: 10.9%
Information12.7%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade9.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 3.1%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$244,900
+70%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $113,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$734
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $455 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
29.4%
−14.4 ptssince 2000
from 43.8% in 2000
57.9% rent
Vacancy rate
10.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.3% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
43.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 43.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
6.8
+64%since 2000
from 4.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in New Bedford on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic75.2%(70,520)
Black3.7%(3,503)
Hispanic / Latino10.2%(9,576)
Asian0.6%(600)
Other0%
Diversity Score35.5%(33,265)
2010
White, non-Hispanic67.9%(64,598)
Black5.2%(4,919)
Hispanic / Latino16.7%(15,916)
Asian0.9%(879)
Other7.6%(7,230)
Diversity Score60.7%(57,676)
Diversity Score
61
+71%since 2000
from 35 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 10.7% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
65.9%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 57.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
4.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.1 min
+39%since 2000
from 16.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
76.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 76.2% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
14.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
1.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
18.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.4% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
25.0%
−34.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
Female
53.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
Foreign born
20.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 20.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
7.5%
−38.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to New Bedford

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Pop 103,201
Champaign
Pop 91,195
Peoria
Pop 110,920
Deerfield Beach
Pop 89,339
Places similar to New Bedford
Head to head

Compare New Bedford to nearby cities

NEW BEDFORD VS
Fall River
Income$56,673+57%
Home value$395,500+61%
Population95,298−6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEW BEDFORD VS
Somerset
Income$112,677+212%
Home value$418,800+71%
Population18,298−82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEW BEDFORD VS
Tiverton
Income$99,158+174%
Home value$407,200+66%
Population8,091−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEW BEDFORD VS
Middleborough Center
Income$97,616+170%
Home value$424,900+73%
Population8,155−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in New Bedford, Massachusetts?

New Bedford, Massachusetts has about 95,072 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in New Bedford, Massachusetts?

The typical household in New Bedford, Massachusetts earns about $36,172 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is New Bedford, Massachusetts expensive?

In New Bedford, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $244,900, and the typical rent is about $734 a month.

How educated are people in New Bedford, Massachusetts?

About 13.7% of adults age 25 and over in New Bedford, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts?

About 22.7% of people in New Bedford, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has New Bedford, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, New Bedford, Massachusetts has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 4,850 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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

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