North Adams, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, North Adams, Massachusetts had a total population of 12,606, the 82nd largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $47,500, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
North Adams Quick Facts
How North Adams 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 | 12,660 | 12,606 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $48,521 | $47,500 | -2.1% |
| Median home value | $185,300 | $195,900 | +5.7% |
How North Adams 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+)
North Adams Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Berkshire County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield | 43,457 | $70,582 | 14.9% | $256,900 |
| Adams | 5,427 | $48,775 | 15.1% | $197,400 |
| Williamstown | 5,070 | $97,917 | 18.0% | $439,300 |
| Great Barrington | 2,331 | $64,506 | 12.9% | $524,700 |
| Lenox | 1,866 | $61,335 | 11.3% | $410,700 |
| Lee | 1,511 | $70,724 | 11.3% | $300,500 |
| Housatonic | 1,113 | N/A | 16.8% | $437,000 |
| Cheshire | 674 | N/A | 17.8% | N/A |
| Lenox Dale | 29 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to North Adams
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webster | 12,228 | $63,837 | $333,100 | 18.8% | 16.0% |
| Palmer Town | 12,381 | $78,480 | $271,400 | 23.5% | 8.3% |
| South Yarmouth | 11,552 | $82,188 | $541,700 | 34.4% | 11.6% |
| Greenfield | 17,664 | $55,614 | $263,100 | 39.1% | 15.2% |
| Easthampton | 16,086 | $71,673 | $371,500 | 38.0% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
North Adams is a small city located in Massachusetts, within Berkshire County. The total population is 12,606. It ranks as the 82nd most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in North Adams is 44.1 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in North Adams is $47,500. This is 54% lower than the state median of $103,960. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.6%. This is 85% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $195,900. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 51.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
North Adams has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.9%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.9%) is well below the state average of 13.3%.
Education
28.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for North Adams, 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 North Adams, Massachusetts?
North Adams, Massachusetts has a population of 12,606 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in North Adams, MA?
The median household income in North Adams is $47,500, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in North Adams, MA?
The poverty rate in North Adams is 18.6%. This means approximately 2,191 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of North Adams, Massachusetts?
North Adams's population is 86.0% White, 1.5% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in North Adams, MA?
The median home value in North Adams is $195,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is North Adams, Massachusetts?
28.3% of adults (25+) in North Adams hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.