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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Worcester

Massachusetts · 172,648 residents · 37.36 sq mi
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The short version

Worcester has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $35,623. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value is $118,400. Households here earn about 29% less than the Massachusetts median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 33.4
US median: 35.2
Average education
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
172,648
+2%since 1990
from 169,759 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,621 / sq mi
+2%since 1990
from 4,544 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
33.4
+5%since 1990
from 31.8 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
166K177K188K200K211K1990201020202024Worcester
2024207K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,623
−7%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $28,955 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,614
+39%since 1990
from $13,393 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
17.9%
+2.6 ptssince 1990
from 15.3% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$118,400
−30%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $128,200 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$577
−17%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $527 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
43.3%
+0.1 ptssince 1990
from 43.3% in 1990
56.7% rent
Afford Score
3.3
−25%since 1990
from 4.4 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Worcester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic87.3%(148,167)
Black4.5%(7,653)
Hispanic / Latino9.3%(15,868)
Asian2.6%(4,362)
Diversity Score43.8%(74,410)
2000
White, non-Hispanic70.8%(122,211)
Black6.2%(10,762)
Hispanic / Latino15.1%(26,155)
Asian4.8%(8,336)
Diversity Score54.6%(94,186)
Diversity Score
55
+24%since 1990
from 44 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.3%
+2.3 ptssince 1990
from 21.1% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
76.7%
+3.7 ptssince 1990
from 72.9% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
9.8%
+1.5 ptssince 1990
from 8.2% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.2 min
−10%since 1990
from 17.0 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Worcester

Grand Rapids
Pop 201,183
Des Moines
Pop 212,086
Spring Valley
Pop 219,187
Eugene
Pop 178,618
Places similar to Worcester
Head to head

Compare Worcester to nearby cities

WORCESTER VS
Marlborough
Income$91,968+158%
Home value$513,100+333%
Population42,772−80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WORCESTER VS
Hudson
Income$90,524+154%
Home value$473,300+300%
Population15,719−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WORCESTER VS
Webster
Income$63,837+79%
Home value$333,100+181%
Population12,228−94%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WORCESTER VS
Milford
Income$93,310+162%
Home value$464,700+292%
Population27,731−87%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Worcester, Massachusetts?

Worcester, Massachusetts has about 172,648 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Worcester, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Worcester, Massachusetts earns about $35,623 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Worcester, Massachusetts expensive?

In Worcester, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $118,400, and the typical rent is about $577 a month.

How educated are people in Worcester, Massachusetts?

About 23.3% of adults age 25 and over in Worcester, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Worcester, Massachusetts?

About 17.9% of people in Worcester, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Worcester, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Worcester, Massachusetts has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,889 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

How we source and harmonize this data →