Amherst is home to 162,028 people. That puts it in the top 2% of US metro areas for household income. 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, against 36% nationally. People stay put here: 80% were in the same home a year ago. 8% of people across the metro were born outside the United States. Headcount has barely moved since 2000.
At a glance
Wealthier
median household income $87,001, above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.4
US median: 38.9
More educated
52% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Amherst
What changed most since 1990
Median home value (2024 dollars)$323,289 → $390,300(+21%)US over the same years: +67%
White share92.6% → 80.3%(−12.2 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Hispanic share2.6% → 7.4%(+4.8 pts)US over the same years: +9.9 pts
Among the 9 metro and micro areas based in Massachusetts
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)17.9%(1,273)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)18.8%(1,338)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era39.9%(2,838)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War4.9%(352)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0.7%(48)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 7,119 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Amherst, decade by decade
Amherst population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
146,568
$81,972
$323,289
31.9%
17.6
2000
152,251
$83,975
$259,768
37.9%
24.4
2010
158,080
$85,602
$377,193
41.3%
31.5
2020
162,308
$89,107
$350,643
48.9%
46.3
2024
162,028
$87,001
$390,300
51.6%
43.0
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA has about 162,028 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The typical household in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA earns about $87,001 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Amherst Town-Northampton, MA expensive?
In Amherst Town-Northampton, MA, the median home is worth about $390,300, and the typical rent is about $1,388 a month.
How educated are people in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
About 51.6% of adults age 25 and over in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
About 11.3% of people in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA live below the federal poverty line.
Has Amherst Town-Northampton, MA grown since 1990?
Yes, Amherst Town-Northampton, MA has grown since 1990. The population has added about 15,460 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.
