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CITY · 2010 ACS

Worcester

Massachusetts · 181,045 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 $45,036. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $242,800. Households here earn about 30% less than the Massachusetts median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 33.4
US median: 37.2
Average education
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 62%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
181,045
+5%since 2000
from 172,648 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,846 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 4,621 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
33.4
Unchangedsince 2000
from 33.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
166K177K188K200K211K1990201020202024Worcester
2024207K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,036
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,623 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,326
+31%since 2000
from $18,614 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
28.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 28.7% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
18.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 17.9% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.466
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information12.4%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade11.1%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services5.8%
US avg: 7%
Public administration4.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$242,800
+62%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $118,400 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$861
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $577 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
33.8%
−9.6 ptssince 2000
from 43.3% in 2000
55.5% rent
Vacancy rate
10.9%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
39.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 39.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
5.4
+62%since 2000
from 3.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Worcester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic70.8%(122,211)
Black6.2%(10,762)
Hispanic / Latino15.1%(26,155)
Asian4.8%(8,336)
Other0%
Diversity Score54.6%(94,186)
2010
White, non-Hispanic59.6%(107,814)
Black10.2%(18,501)
Hispanic / Latino20.9%(37,818)
Asian6%(10,927)
Other2.1%(3,832)
Diversity Score72.2%(130,625)
Diversity Score
72
+32%since 2000
from 55 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.6%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 23.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
84.0%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 76.7% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
11.5%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.8 min
+50%since 2000
from 15.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
75.9%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 77.2% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
3.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
6.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
16.2%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
33.7%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
51.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
19.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
7.6%
−40.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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+104%
Home value$513,100+111%
Population42,772−80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WORCESTER VS
Hudson
Income$90,524+101%
Home value$473,300+95%
Population15,719−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WORCESTER VS
Webster
Income$63,837+42%
Home value$333,100+37%
Population12,228−94%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WORCESTER VS
Milford
Income$93,310+107%
Home value$464,700+91%
Population27,731−87%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Worcester, Massachusetts?

Worcester, Massachusetts has about 181,045 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Worcester, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Worcester, Massachusetts earns about $45,036 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 $242,800, and the typical rent is about $861 a month.

How educated are people in Worcester, Massachusetts?

About 29.6% 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 18.3% 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 11,286 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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

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