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Holyoke, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 27.0% is well above the state average

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Holyoke, Massachusetts had a total population of 37,813, the 41st largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $53,605, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.0%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Holyoke Quick Facts

Population 37,813
Median Household Income $53,605
Median Home Value $274,100
Poverty Rate 27.0%
Unemployment Rate 7.7%
Median Age 40.0 years
Homeownership Rate 41.3%
Affordability Ratio 5.1x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 25.9%
High School Graduation Rate 78.7%
Diversity Index 55/100
Population 37,813 41st of 248
Median Income $53,605 bottom 10%
Poverty Rate 27.0% 117% higher than national
Median Home Value $274,100 bottom 10%

How Holyoke Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population37,94937,813-0.4%
Median household income$51,892$53,605+3.3%
Median home value$255,300$274,100+7.4%

How Holyoke Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 29.0%
$25K-$50K 16.7%
$50K-$100K 28.4%
$100K+ 26.0%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
9.8%
$10K-$15K
8.1%
$15K-$20K
7.3%
$20K-$25K
3.8%
$25K-$30K
2.5%
$30K-$35K
5.0%
$35K-$40K
2.4%
$40K-$45K
3.5%
$45K-$50K
3.4%
$50K-$60K
8.0%
$60K-$75K
8.7%
$75K-$100K
11.6%
$100K-$125K
7.8%
$125K-$150K
4.9%
$150K-$200K
8.2%
$200K+
5.0%

Employment

7.7% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1%|National: 5.2%
54.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 41.3%
Renter 58.7%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.1x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,021/mo 22.9% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

55out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 53 | National average: 61

Education

Holyoke Rankings in Massachusetts

#41 Population of 248
#233 Median Income of 241
#212 Education of 248
#226 Home Value of 242

Other Cities in Hampden County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Springfield 154,749 $52,656 25.8% $245,000
Chicopee 55,295 $62,615 17.3% $274,500
Westfield 40,378 $87,753 10.7% $325,100
West Springfield Town 28,772 $69,371 11.9% $321,500
Agawam Town 28,539 $85,421 6.7% $311,600
Longmeadow 15,696 $149,601 4.1% $454,100
Palmer Town 12,381 $78,480 8.3% $271,400
Wilbraham 3,679 $92,188 10.4% $400,300
Monson Center 1,613 $64,563 14.4% $289,200
Holland 1,301 $86,615 5.7% $325,200

Cities Similar to Holyoke

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Amherst Town38,182$66,968$484,90075.6%23.7%
Chelsea39,908$72,179$493,50022.2%20.8%
Fitchburg41,798$73,040$336,40025.1%15.6%
Pittsfield43,457$70,582$256,90034.2%14.9%
Westfield40,378$87,753$325,10033.2%10.7%

Population Overview

Holyoke is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Hampden County. The total population is 37,813. It ranks as the 41st most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.

Age Demographics

The median age in Holyoke is 40.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Holyoke is $53,605. This is 48% lower than the state median of $103,960. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.0%. This is 169% 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 $274,100. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 41.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 62.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Holyoke is Hispanic or Latino, making up 52.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 42.3%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (52.4% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.

Education

25.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 78.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Holyoke, 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 Holyoke, Massachusetts?

Holyoke, Massachusetts has a population of 37,813 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Holyoke, MA?

The median household income in Holyoke is $53,605, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Holyoke, MA?

The poverty rate in Holyoke is 27.0%. This means approximately 9,979 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Holyoke, Massachusetts?

Holyoke's population is 42.3% White, 2.4% Black, 52.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.

What is the median home value in Holyoke, MA?

The median home value in Holyoke is $274,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.

How educated is Holyoke, Massachusetts?

25.9% of adults (25+) in Holyoke hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.