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CITY · 2020 ACS

New Bedford

Massachusetts · 101,079 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 $48,999. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 17% 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 $239,000. Households here earn about 42% less than the Massachusetts median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 37.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
101,079
+8%since 2000
from 93,768 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,054 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 4,688 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.8
+5%since 2000
from 35.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
90K93K96K99K102K1990201020202024New Bedford
2024101K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,999
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,569 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,788
+72%since 2000
from $15,602 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
33.1%
+13.1 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.6%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 20.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.2%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade9.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$239,000
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $113,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$869
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $455 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
39.5%
−4.3 ptssince 2000
from 43.8% in 2000
60.5% rent
Afford Score
4.9
+18%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic56.9%(57,498)
Black4.7%(4,787)
Hispanic / Latino24.3%(24,525)
Asian1%(1,010)
Other11.2%(11,301)
Diversity Score73.4%(74,148)
Diversity Score
73
+107%since 2000
from 35 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.9%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 10.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
77.2%
+19.6 ptssince 2000
from 57.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.1%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.0 min
+57%since 2000
from 16.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
74.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 76.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
20.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 18.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 11.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2011
from 62.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.8%
−33.1 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
Female
51.1%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
Foreign born
19.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.9%
−88.0 ptssince 2013
from 92.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to New Bedford

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Pop 103,201
Champaign
Pop 91,195
Peoria
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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+16%
Home value$395,500+65%
Population95,298−6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEW BEDFORD VS
Somerset
Income$112,677+130%
Home value$418,800+75%
Population18,298−82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEW BEDFORD VS
Tiverton
Income$99,158+102%
Home value$407,200+70%
Population8,091−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEW BEDFORD VS
Middleborough Center
Income$97,616+99%
Home value$424,900+78%
Population8,155−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in New Bedford, Massachusetts?

New Bedford, Massachusetts has about 101,079 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in New Bedford, Massachusetts earns about $48,999 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 $239,000, and the typical rent is about $869 a month.

How educated are people in New Bedford, Massachusetts?

About 16.9% 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 18.6% of people in New Bedford, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has New Bedford, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, New Bedford, Massachusetts has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,157 residents, a change of about 1 percent over that period.

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

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