Worcester, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Worcester, Massachusetts had a total population of 207,055, the 2nd largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $70,102, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Worcester is the 2nd largest city in Massachusetts with a population of 207,055.
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Worcester Quick Facts
How Worcester 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 | 205,501 | 207,055 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $67,544 | $70,102 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $339,500 | $374,400 | +10.3% |
How Worcester 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+)
Worcester Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Worcester County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Gardner | 21,148 | $67,518 | 13.7% | $301,600 |
| 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 Worcester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 154,749 | $52,656 | $245,000 | 20.5% | 25.8% |
| Lowell | 118,368 | $78,658 | $429,200 | 30.0% | 16.9% |
| Brockton | 105,386 | $80,115 | $437,500 | 22.3% | 13.5% |
| Lynn | 101,709 | $75,043 | $510,100 | 24.1% | 13.8% |
| New Bedford | 100,998 | $56,981 | $357,300 | 17.0% | 20.5% |
Population Overview
Worcester is a major urban center located in Massachusetts, within Worcester County. The total population is 207,055. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Worcester is 33.9 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Worcester is $70,102. This is 33% lower than the state median of $103,960. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.6%. This is 95% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $374,400. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 42.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Worcester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (12.1% vs 6.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (25.3% vs 13.3%).
Education
35.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 85.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Worcester, 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.
Free data download: Get all Massachusetts city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Worcester, Massachusetts?
Worcester, Massachusetts has a population of 207,055 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Worcester, MA?
The median household income in Worcester is $70,102, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Worcester, MA?
The poverty rate in Worcester is 19.6%. This means approximately 37,783 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Worcester, Massachusetts?
Worcester's population is 48.6% White, 12.1% Black, 25.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Worcester, MA?
The median home value in Worcester is $374,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is Worcester, Massachusetts?
35.2% of adults (25+) in Worcester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.