Berkshire County, MA

County

Add Comparison

2021 Population

129,089

2.51% 1-year growth

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

47.1

0.212% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

10.1%

3.64% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$63,159

1.6% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$232,900

5.38% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

63,656

1.35% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Berkshire County, MA had a population of 129k people with a median age of 47.1 and a median household income of $63,159. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Berkshire County, MA grew from 125,927 to 129,089, a 2.51% increase and its median household income grew from $62,166 to $63,159, a 1.6% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Berkshire County, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (86.9%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.25%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (2.51%), White (Hispanic) (1.86%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.74%).

None of the households in Berkshire County, MA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.9% of the residents in Berkshire County, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Berkshire County, MA are Williams College (692 degrees awarded in 2021), Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (322 degrees), and Berkshire Community College (164775) (274 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Berkshire County, MA was $232,900, and the homeownership rate was 70.1%.

Most people in Berkshire County, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Berkshire County, MA was 2 cars per household.

Berkshire County, MA borders Litchfield County, CT, Franklin County, MA, Hampden County, MA, Hampshire County, MA, Columbia County, NY, Dutchess County, NY, Rensselaer County, NY, and Bennington County, VT.

About the photo: View from Bash Bish Falls

Photo by David Sunshine

United States Massachusetts Pittsfield, MA

Population & Diversity

Berkshire County, MA is home to a population of 129k people, from which 97.9% are citizens. As of 2021, 5.97% of Berkshire County, MA residents were born outside of the country (7.71k people).

In 2021, there were 26.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (112k people) in Berkshire County, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.2k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 3.24k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.9%

2021 Citizenship

97.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97.9% of Berkshire County, MA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Berkshire County, MA was 97.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Berkshire County, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Berkshire County, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
112k ± 316
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
4.2k ± 540
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
3.24k ± 391

5.21%

Hispanic Population

6.73k people

5.21% of the people in Berkshire County, MA are hispanic (6.73k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Berkshire County, MA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.

Most Common Origin

China
102,889 ± 7,817 people
Dominican Republic
98,796 ± 7,662 people
Brazil
87,929 ± 7,234 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 102,889 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 98,796 and Brazil with 87,929.

Foreign-Born Population

5.97%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

7.71k people

5.62%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

7.08k people

As of 2021, 5.97% of Berkshire County, MA residents (7.71k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Berkshire County, MA was 5.62%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Berkshire County, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,816 ± 305
Gulf War (1990s)
862 ± 218
Korea
746 ± 179

Berkshire County, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.27 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Berkshire County, MA employs 63.7k people. The largest industries in Berkshire County, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,636 people), Educational Services (9,481 people), and Retail Trade (7,008 people), and the highest paying industries are Public Administration ($67,092), Utilities ($66,023), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($65,298).

Males in Massachusetts have an average income that is 1.31 times higher than the average income of females, which is $74,737. The income inequality in Massachusetts (measured using the Gini index) is 0.48, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

63.7k

2021 Value

± 1,876

1.35%

1 Year growth

± 4.09%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Berkshire County, MA grew at a rate of 1.35%, from 62.8k employees to 63.7k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Berkshire County, MA, are Management Occupations (6,828 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,433 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (6,129 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Berkshire County, MA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Massachusetts (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

63.7k

2021 Value

± 1,876

1.35%

1 Year growth

± 4.09%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Berkshire County, MA grew at a rate of 1.35%, from 62.8k employees to 63.7k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Berkshire County, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,636 people), Educational Services (9,481 people), and Retail Trade (7,008 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Berkshire County, MA, though some of these residents may live in Berkshire County, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$49,418

Median earning men ± $1,593

$33,590

Median earning women ± $1,168

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($67,909), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($64,658), and Manufacturing ($61,520).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($62,697), Wholesale Trade ($54,390), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($42,188).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Massachusetts. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Massachusetts.

View Full Dashboard

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,484
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
898
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
839
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.84M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$1.15M
Manufacturing
$484k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $37.1B, followed by Mixed freight ($29.7B) and Electronics ($28.8B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Massachusetts products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts.

$296B

2020 Value in Massachusetts

$627B

Projected 2050 Value in Massachusetts

112% growth

In 2020, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $296B. This is expected to increase 112% to $627B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Massachusetts trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Most Common Trade Partners

New York
$28.8B
New Hampshire
$20.3B
Connecticut
$14.2B

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $28.8B, followed by New Hampshire with $20.3B and Connecticut and $14.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Massachusetts shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Berkshire County, MA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 72% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (25.2%), followed by Other (1.5%).

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing the state of Massachusetts. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (72%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (25.2%)
Republican Party
Other (1.5%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Berkshire County, MA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 72% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (25.2%), followed by Other (1.5%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Berkshire County, MA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Massachusetts

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Elizabeth Warren

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ed Markey

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on July 16, 2013
Elected to the seat to succeed Mo Cowan, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of John Kerry, who had become Secretary of State.

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing Massachusetts.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Massachusetts over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Massachusetts

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Massachusetts have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Berkshire County, MA awarded 1,530 degrees. The student population of Berkshire County, MA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 4,172 male students and 6,284 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Berkshire County, MA are White (899 and 61.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (156 and 10.7%), Black or African American (150 and 10.3%), and Asian (114 and 7.82%).

The largest universities in Berkshire County, MA by number of degrees awarded are Williams College (692 and 45.2%), Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (322 and 21%), and Berkshire Community College (164775) (274 and 17.9%).

The most popular majors in Berkshire County, MA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (140 and 9.15%), Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (100 and 6.54%), and General Mathematics (75 and 4.9%).

The median tuition costs in Berkshire County, MA are $59,434 for private four year colleges, and $1,030 and $9,975 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Berkshire County, MA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 17.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 33.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 10,456 (39.9% men and 60.1% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 10,456 students enrolled in Berkshire County, MA, 39.9% men and 60.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,216 records, of which 60.6% were women and 39.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Mathematics
75 degree-majors awarded
General English Language & Literature
72 degree-majors awarded
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics
100 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Berkshire County, MA was General Mathematics with 75 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Berkshire County, MA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Williams College
692 degrees awarded
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
322 degrees awarded
Berkshire Community College (164775)
274 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Williams College with 692 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 623 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Berkshire County, MA, which is 0.687 times less than the 907 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 899 degrees mean that there were 5.76 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 156 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($59,434) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($10,276) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private for-profit, less-than 2-year ($2,325) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Measure

In 2021, 1.06% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.14% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.35M), Bachelors Degree (1.33M), and Some college (1.01M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Berkshire County, MA was $232,900 in 2021, which is 0.951 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $221,000 to $232,900, a 5.38% increase. The homeownership rate in Berkshire County, MA is 70.1%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Berkshire County, MA have an average commute time of 20.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Berkshire County, MA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Berkshire County, MA is $63,159. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Berkshire County, MA was Census Tract 9332 with a value of $115,625, followed by Census Tract 9201.02 and Census Tract 9201.01, with respective values of $96,500 and $95,326.

In 2022, 15% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Berkshire County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.67%.

Housing

Property

$232,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$5,165

$38,904

Median Property Taxes

±$1,146

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Berkshire County, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Berkshire County, MA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

70.1%

Homeownership

2021

61.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 70.1% of the housing units in Berkshire County, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 70%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Berkshire County, MA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9332
Census Tract 9201.02
Census Tract 9201.01

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Berkshire County, MA was Census Tract 9332 with a value of $115,625, followed by Census Tract 9201.02 and Census Tract 9201.01, with respective values of $96,500 and $95,326.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Berkshire County, MA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$63,159

Median Household Income

± $2,188

55.5k

Number of Households

± 1,691

In 2021, the median household income of the 55.5k households in Berkshire County, MA grew to $63,159 from the previous year's value of $62,166.

The following chart displays the households in Berkshire County, MA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Berkshire County, MA is from Massachusetts.

0.48

2021 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.48

2020 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2021, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.48 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0427% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Massachusetts in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Massachusetts across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (75.6%)
Worked At Home (8.45%)
Carpooled (7.92%)

In 2021, 75.6% of workers in Berkshire County, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.45%) and those who carpooled to work (7.92%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

20.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Berkshire County, MA have a shorter commute time (20.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.75% of the workforce in Berkshire County, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Berkshire County, MA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Berkshire County, MA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Berkshire County, MA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 15% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Berkshire County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.67%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

10.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Berkshire County, MA (12.4k out of 123k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Males 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Berkshire County, MA is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 14.6% of the children was living in poverty in Berkshire County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 6.5%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 420 in Berkshire County, MA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 8.91 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function

Health

97.6% of the population of Berkshire County, MA has health coverage, with 44.7% on employee plans, 19.9% on Medicaid, 16.5% on Medicare, 15.4% on non-group plans, and 1.09% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Massachusetts was $10,559 in 2014. This is a 2.78% increase from the previous year ($10,273).

Primary care physicians in Berkshire County, MA see 839 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.06% decrease from the previous year (848 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1065 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 106 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.8% were men and 52.2% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

839 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Berkshire County, MA

Primary care physicians in Berkshire County, MA see an average of 839 patients per year. This represents a 1.06% decrease from the previous year (848 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Berkshire County, MA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.4% under 18 years, 18.5% between 18 and 34 years, 40.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 22.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.8% were men and 52.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

2.36%

Uninsured

44.7%

Employer Coverage

19.9%

Medicaid

16.5%

Medicare

15.4%

Non-Group

1.09%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Berkshire County, MA declined by 8.2% from 2.57% to 2.36%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Berkshire County, MA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 40.3 in Berkshire County, MA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Berkshire County, MA.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 25.8% in Berkshire County, MA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Berkshire County, MA.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function