Worcester, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Worcester, New York had a total population of 1,032, the 851st largest community in New York, with a median household income of $64,474, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
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 | 1,017 | 1,032 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $76,731 | $64,474 | -16.0% |
| Median home value | $140,900 | $145,700 | +3.4% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Worcester Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Otsego County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oneonta | 15,045 | $61,111 | 16.6% | $184,100 |
| Cooperstown | 2,220 | $76,000 | 11.6% | $380,900 |
| West End | 1,891 | $71,563 | 20.9% | $151,100 |
| Unadilla | 1,419 | $65,972 | 17.6% | $110,800 |
| Richfield Springs | 1,104 | $55,750 | 25.6% | $132,400 |
| Otego | 936 | $78,804 | 6.8% | $186,100 |
| Morris | 626 | $98,500 | 11.8% | $172,500 |
| Edmeston | 515 | $57,269 | 23.7% | $143,400 |
| Cherry Valley | 482 | $96,458 | 5.8% | $162,200 |
| Milford | 475 | $64,167 | 6.7% | $152,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hagaman | 1,044 | $63,125 | $203,800 | 27.7% | 6.6% |
| Avoca | 1,023 | $66,389 | $84,200 | 21.6% | 20.3% |
| Cattaraugus | 1,034 | $60,341 | $71,200 | 14.8% | 14.3% |
| Fort Covington | 1,041 | $68,750 | $112,500 | 19.6% | 14.1% |
| Stottville | 1,045 | $60,872 | $166,100 | 14.1% | 10.0% |
Population Overview
Worcester is a small community located in New York, within Otsego County. The total population is 1,032. It ranks as the 851st most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Worcester is 35.0 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 39.8 years. 10.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Worcester is $64,474. This is 25% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.9%. This is 156% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. 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 3.8%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $145,700. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Worcester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 86.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 58% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Worcester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.2%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.4%.
Education
23.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Worcester, New York 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 New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. 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 Worcester, New York?
Worcester, New York has a population of 1,032 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Worcester, NY?
The median household income in Worcester is $64,474, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Worcester, NY?
The poverty rate in Worcester is 35.9%. This means approximately 370 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Worcester, New York?
Worcester's population is 74.7% White, 0.2% Black, 22.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Worcester, NY?
The median home value in Worcester is $145,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Worcester, New York?
23.8% of adults (25+) in Worcester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.