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CITY · 2020 ACS

Shirley

Massachusetts · 1,611 residents · 1.318 sq mi
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The short version

Shirley has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $61,797. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 18% 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 $259,600. Poverty is rare here, at 6.2% of residents. Households here earn about 27% less than the Massachusetts median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,611
+13%since 2000
from 1,427 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
1,222 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 1,083 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.4
+11%since 2000
from 39.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024Shirley
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,797
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,956 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,913
+66%since 2000
from $22,256 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
37.2%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 25.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
6.2%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade18.6%
US avg: 10%
Information16.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance9.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical6.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food5.2%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing4.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services2.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$259,600
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $135,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$810
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $524 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
48.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 48.6% in 2000
51.6% rent
Afford Score
4.2
+27%since 2000
from 3.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic81%(1,305)
Black2.5%(40)
Hispanic / Latino6.6%(106)
Asian2%(33)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score27.5%(444)
Diversity Score
28
+50%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.7%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.8%
+11.2 ptssince 2000
from 85.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
0.8%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.2 min
+33%since 2000
from 20.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.6%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.1%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−10.1 ptssince 2011
from 10.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
65.6%
+8.1 ptssince 2011
from 57.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.0%
−37.3 ptssince 2009
from 70.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
56.6%
+13.7 ptssince 2009
from 42.9% in 2009
Female
43.4%
−13.7 ptssince 2009
from 57.1% in 2009
Foreign born
7.6%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
0.0%
−91.7 ptssince 2013
from 91.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+36%
Home value$380,400+47%
Population44,194+3756%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHIRLEY VS
Fitchburg
Income$73,040+18%
Home value$336,400+30%
Population42,136+3577%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHIRLEY VS
Hudson
Income$90,524+46%
Home value$473,300+82%
Population15,719+1272%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHIRLEY VS
Maynard
Income$124,067+101%
Home value$527,400+103%
Population10,712+835%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Shirley, Massachusetts?

Shirley, Massachusetts has about 1,611 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Shirley, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Shirley, Massachusetts earns about $61,797 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 $259,600, and the typical rent is about $810 a month.

How educated are people in Shirley, Massachusetts?

About 17.7% 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 6.2% of people in Shirley, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shirley, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Shirley, Massachusetts has grown since 1990. The population has added about 34 residents, a change of about 2 percent over that period.

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

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