New Bedford, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Bedford, Massachusetts had a total population of 100,998, the 9th largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $56,981, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
New Bedford Quick Facts
How New Bedford 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 | 100,731 | 100,998 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $56,025 | $56,981 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $324,400 | $357,300 | +10.1% |
How New Bedford 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
New Bedford Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Bristol County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall River | 94,082 | $56,673 | 19.6% | $395,500 |
| Taunton | 60,433 | $79,283 | 13.0% | $422,800 |
| Attleboro | 46,762 | $98,954 | 8.6% | $448,100 |
| North Attleborough Town | 30,984 | $112,665 | 4.7% | $482,200 |
| Somerset | 18,298 | $112,677 | 4.9% | $418,800 |
| Mansfield Center | 7,222 | $97,798 | 4.1% | $480,000 |
| Bliss Corner | 5,405 | $75,420 | 9.0% | $446,200 |
| North Westport | 5,289 | $87,582 | 4.3% | $411,300 |
| Raynham Center | 4,841 | $132,382 | 11.0% | $547,700 |
| Smith Mills | 4,612 | $64,818 | 8.0% | $420,400 |
Cities Similar to New Bedford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall River | 94,082 | $56,673 | $395,500 | 16.4% | 19.6% |
| Lynn | 101,709 | $75,043 | $510,100 | 24.1% | 13.8% |
| Lawrence | 88,736 | $60,433 | $415,200 | 16.8% | 17.6% |
| Brockton | 105,386 | $80,115 | $437,500 | 22.3% | 13.5% |
| Quincy | 102,114 | $98,882 | $618,500 | 50.3% | 10.6% |
Population Overview
New Bedford is a major urban center located in Massachusetts, within Bristol County. The total population is 100,998. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Bedford is 37.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Bedford is $56,981. This is 45% lower than the state median of $103,960. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.5%. This is 105% 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 8.3%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $357,300. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 40.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in New Bedford is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (25.8% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
17.0% 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 64% 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 76.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Bedford, 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 New Bedford, Massachusetts?
New Bedford, Massachusetts has a population of 100,998 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Bedford, MA?
The median household income in New Bedford is $56,981, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Bedford, MA?
The poverty rate in New Bedford is 20.5%. This means approximately 20,493 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Bedford, Massachusetts?
New Bedford's population is 54.1% White, 4.4% Black, 25.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Bedford, MA?
The median home value in New Bedford is $357,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is New Bedford, Massachusetts?
17.0% of adults (25+) in New Bedford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.