Amherst Town, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Amherst Town, Massachusetts had a total population of 38,182, the 40th largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $66,968, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- 75.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Massachusetts.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.2x the median household income.
Amherst Town Quick Facts
How Amherst Town Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,472 | 38,182 | +7.6% |
| Median household income | $65,938 | $66,968 | +1.6% |
| Median home value | $454,000 | $484,900 | +6.8% |
How Amherst Town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Amherst Town Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Hampshire County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northampton | 30,962 | $80,288 | 13.4% | $429,700 |
| Ware | 6,369 | $45,158 | 14.1% | $253,400 |
| Belchertown | 2,355 | $77,428 | 14.2% | $346,900 |
| Hatfield | 1,449 | $110,972 | 6.1% | $459,900 |
| Granby | 1,152 | $135,750 | 7.1% | $340,100 |
| Huntington | 892 | $49,722 | 24.4% | $320,000 |
Cities Similar to Amherst Town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | 39,908 | $72,179 | $493,500 | 22.2% | 20.8% |
| Holyoke | 37,813 | $53,605 | $274,100 | 25.9% | 27.0% |
| Fitchburg | 41,798 | $73,040 | $336,400 | 25.1% | 15.6% |
| Pittsfield | 43,457 | $70,582 | $256,900 | 34.2% | 14.9% |
| Westfield | 40,378 | $87,753 | $325,100 | 33.2% | 10.7% |
Population Overview
Amherst Town is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Hampshire County. The total population is 38,182. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Amherst Town is 21.4 years. This is 47% lower than the state median of 40.0 years. Only 7.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Amherst Town is $66,968. This is 36% lower than the state median of $103,960. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.7%. This is 136% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $484,900. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 44.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Amherst Town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 14.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (14.3% vs 7.2%).
Education
75.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Amherst Town in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 47.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.9%. Notably, 53.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Amherst Town, Massachusetts is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Massachusetts state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Amherst Town, Massachusetts?
Amherst Town, Massachusetts has a population of 38,182 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Amherst Town, MA?
The median household income in Amherst Town is $66,968, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Amherst Town, MA?
The poverty rate in Amherst Town is 23.7%. This means approximately 5,115 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Amherst Town, Massachusetts?
Amherst Town's population is 65.3% White, 4.7% Black, 9.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 14.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Amherst Town, MA?
The median home value in Amherst Town is $484,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.2x.
How educated is Amherst Town, Massachusetts?
75.6% of adults (25+) in Amherst Town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 53.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.