Shirley, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shirley, Massachusetts had a total population of 1,146, the 222nd largest community in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $108,494, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Shirley Quick Facts
How Shirley 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 | 1,256 | 1,146 | -8.8% |
| Median home value | $378,700 | $395,800 | +4.5% |
How Shirley 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+)
Shirley Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Middlesex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | 118,796 | $130,748 | 12.8% | $1,092,100 |
| Lowell | 118,368 | $78,658 | 16.9% | $429,200 |
| Newton | 89,044 | $190,304 | 4.5% | $1,264,900 |
| Somerville | 81,036 | $132,572 | 9.8% | $911,300 |
| Framingham | 72,399 | $107,419 | 10.4% | $627,300 |
| Malden | 65,906 | $100,606 | 11.4% | $633,500 |
| Waltham | 64,902 | $120,216 | 9.4% | $748,700 |
| Medford | 59,354 | $129,540 | 7.6% | $755,500 |
| Everett | 50,045 | $85,218 | 14.7% | $610,000 |
| Arlington | 46,350 | $150,701 | 5.4% | $933,800 |
Cities Similar to Shirley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housatonic | 1,113 | N/A | $437,000 | 52.3% | 16.8% |
| Oak Bluffs | 1,184 | N/A | N/A | 35.8% | 3.7% |
| West Chatham | 1,258 | N/A | $739,600 | 73.8% | 22.0% |
| Granby | 1,152 | $135,750 | $340,100 | 50.2% | 7.1% |
| Groton | 1,232 | $135,714 | $758,500 | 59.9% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
Shirley is a small community located in Massachusetts, within Middlesex County. The total population is 1,146. It ranks as the 222nd most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shirley is 44.2 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shirley is $108,494. This is 4% higher than the state median of $103,960. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $395,800. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 63.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shirley has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.9%. The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
47.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 97.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shirley, 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 Shirley, Massachusetts?
Shirley, Massachusetts has a population of 1,146 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shirley, MA?
The median household income in Shirley is $108,494, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shirley, MA?
The poverty rate in Shirley is 5.9%. This means approximately 68 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shirley, Massachusetts?
Shirley's population is 89.0% White, 3.0% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shirley, MA?
The median home value in Shirley is $395,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Shirley, Massachusetts?
47.4% of adults (25+) in Shirley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.