Gardner, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gardner, Massachusetts had a total population of 21,148, the 68th largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $67,518, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Gardner Quick Facts
How Gardner 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 | 21,075 | 21,148 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $62,948 | $67,518 | +7.3% |
| Median home value | $271,300 | $301,600 | +11.2% |
How Gardner 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gardner Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Worcester County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester | 207,055 | $70,102 | 19.6% | $374,400 |
| Leominster | 43,909 | $83,816 | 9.2% | $380,400 |
| Fitchburg | 41,798 | $73,040 | 15.6% | $336,400 |
| Milford | 27,731 | $93,310 | 8.4% | $464,700 |
| Southbridge Town | 17,928 | $66,287 | 15.3% | $294,800 |
| Webster | 12,228 | $63,837 | 16.0% | $333,100 |
| Athol | 8,801 | $67,394 | 21.0% | $248,700 |
| Clinton | 7,658 | $79,516 | 9.2% | $375,600 |
| Whitinsville | 7,115 | $96,145 | 10.3% | $449,600 |
| Northborough | 6,392 | $133,839 | 2.1% | $560,500 |
Cities Similar to Gardner
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southbridge Town | 17,928 | $66,287 | $294,800 | 19.4% | 15.3% |
| Greenfield | 17,664 | $55,614 | $263,100 | 39.1% | 15.2% |
| Easthampton | 16,086 | $71,673 | $371,500 | 38.0% | 8.0% |
| West Springfield Town | 28,772 | $69,371 | $321,500 | 34.0% | 11.9% |
| Stoneham | 23,355 | $113,964 | $671,900 | 55.9% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Gardner is a small city located in Massachusetts, within Worcester County. The total population is 21,148. It ranks as the 68th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gardner is 43.7 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gardner is $67,518. This is 35% lower than the state median of $103,960. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 37% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 36% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $301,600. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 58.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gardner is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.7%. The Asian population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
23.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 50% lower 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 87.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gardner, 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 Gardner, Massachusetts?
Gardner, Massachusetts has a population of 21,148 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gardner, MA?
The median household income in Gardner is $67,518, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gardner, MA?
The poverty rate in Gardner is 13.7%. This means approximately 2,747 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gardner, Massachusetts?
Gardner's population is 77.6% White, 4.0% Black, 10.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gardner, MA?
The median home value in Gardner is $301,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Gardner, Massachusetts?
23.8% of adults (25+) in Gardner hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.