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CITY

Shirley

Massachusetts · 1,146 residents · 1.318 sq mi
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The short version

Shirley is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $108,494. Population has fallen 20% since 2000, a loss of 281 residents. 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $395,800. With a median age of 44.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.2
US median: 38.9
More educated
47% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 60%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,146
−20%since 2000
from 1,427 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
869 / sq mi
−20%since 2000
from 1,083 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.2
+13%since 2000
from 39.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024Shirley
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$108,494
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,956 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$50,273
+126%since 2000
from $22,256 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
56.7%
+31.5 ptssince 2009
from 25.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.423
+4%since 2010
from 0.407 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade13.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food10.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services7.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance7%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services7%
US avg: 0.9%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$395,800
+60%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $135,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$982
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $524 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
63.2%
+14.6 ptssince 2000
from 48.6% in 2000
36.8% rent
Vacancy rate
0.0%
−14.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.1%
−25.8 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.3%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
+10%since 2000
from 3.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
75
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shirley on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91%(1,299)
Black3.9%(55)
Hispanic / Latino2%(29)
Asian1.8%(25)
Other0%
Diversity Score18.3%(261)
2024
White, non-Hispanic89%(1,020)
Black3.1%(35)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(91)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score25.1%(287)
Diversity Score
25
+37%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
47.4%
+33.9 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.9%
+12.3 ptssince 2000
from 85.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
15.0%
+11.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.5 min
+55%since 2000
from 20.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.6%
−13.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.4%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.6%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
21.3%
+16.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.6%
−9.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.0%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 10.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
72.6%
+15.0 ptssince 2011
from 57.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
68.0%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 70.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.6%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 42.9% in 2009
Female
54.4%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 57.1% in 2009
Foreign born
3.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
0.0%
−42.3 ptssince 2009
from 42.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
6.5%
−6.9 ptssince 2012
from 13.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.0%
−91.7 ptssince 2013
from 91.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.9%
+15.3 ptssince 2017
from 72.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.9%
+2.3 ptssince 2016
from 93.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2016
from 5.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Shirley

Indian Shores
Pop 1,167
Bethany Beach
Pop 1,104
Anna Maria
Pop 1,023
Redington Beach
Pop 1,355
Places similar to Shirley
Head to head

Compare Shirley to nearby cities

SHIRLEY VS
Leominster
Income$83,816−23%
Home value$380,400−4%
Population44,194+3756%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHIRLEY VS
Fitchburg
Income$73,040−33%
Home value$336,400−15%
Population42,136+3577%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHIRLEY VS
Hudson
Income$90,524−17%
Home value$473,300+20%
Population15,719+1272%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHIRLEY VS
Maynard
Income$124,067+14%
Home value$527,400+33%
Population10,712+835%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Shirley, Massachusetts?

Shirley, Massachusetts has about 1,146 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Shirley, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Shirley, Massachusetts earns about $108,494 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shirley, Massachusetts expensive?

In Shirley, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $395,800, and the typical rent is about $982 a month.

How educated are people in Shirley, Massachusetts?

About 47.4% of adults age 25 and over in Shirley, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shirley, Massachusetts?

About 5.9% of people in Shirley, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shirley, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Shirley, Massachusetts has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 431 residents, a change of about -27 percent over that period.

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

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