New Bedford, MA

Census Place

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2023 Population

100,731

0.11% 1-year growth

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2023 Median Age

0.543% 1-year increase

2023 Poverty Rate

19.9%

5.89% 1-year increase

2023 Median Household Income

$56,025

2.6% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$324,400

11.4% 1-year growth

2023 Employed Population

45,395

2.04% 1-year decline

About

In 2023, New Bedford, MA had a population of 101k people with a median age of 37 and a median household income of $56,025. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of New Bedford, MA grew from 100,620 to 100,731, a 0.11% increase and its median household income grew from $54,604 to $56,025, a 2.6% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in New Bedford, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (55.6%), Other (Hispanic) (12.5%), Two+ (Hispanic) (8.82%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (8.72%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (5.26%).

None of the households in New Bedford, 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.

89.1% of the residents in New Bedford, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in New Bedford, MA are Rob Roy Academy-New Bedford (8 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2023, the median property value in New Bedford, MA was $324,400, and the homeownership rate was 40%.

Most people in New Bedford, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.2 minutes. The average car ownership in New Bedford, MA was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

United States Massachusetts Bristol County, MA Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Bristol County (Central)--Fall River, Somerset & Acushnet PUMA, MA Bristol County (South)--New Bedford, Dartmouth & Westport PUMA, MA

Population & Diversity

New Bedford, MA is home to a population of 101k people, from which 89.1% are citizens. As of 2023, 21.6% of New Bedford, MA residents were born outside of the country (21.8k people).

In 2023, there were 4.44 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (56k people) in New Bedford, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12.6k Other (Hispanic) and 8.88k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

89.1%

2023 Citizenship

90.3%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 89.1% of New Bedford, MA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in New Bedford, MA was 90.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in New Bedford, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
56k ± 1.82k
Other (Hispanic)
12.6k ± 1.25k
Two+ (Hispanic)
8.88k ± 1.2k

24.5%

Hispanic Population

24.7k people

24.5% of the people in New Bedford, MA are hispanic (24.7k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

China
102,973 ± 7,820 people
Dominican Republic
99,956 ± 7,706 people
Brazil
93,519 ± 7,457 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 102,973 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 99,956 and Brazil with 93,519.

Foreign-Born Population

21.6%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

21.8k people

21.1%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

21.2k people

As of 2023, 21.6% of New Bedford, MA residents (21.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in New Bedford, MA was 21.1%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,077 ± 228
Gulf War (2001-)
660 ± 198
Gulf War (1990s)
496 ± 192

New Bedford, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.63 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of New Bedford, MA employs 45.4k people. The largest industries in New Bedford, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,016 people), Retail Trade (5,808 people), and Manufacturing (5,177 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($95,922), Information ($70,500), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($69,493).

Males in Massachusetts have an average income that is 1.31 times higher than the average income of females, which is $81,902. The income inequality in Massachusetts (measured using the Gini index) is 0.48, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

45.4k

2023 Value

± 1,689

−2.04%

1 Year decline

± 5.38%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in New Bedford, MA declined at a rate of −2.04%, from 46.3k employees to 45.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in New Bedford, MA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,167 people), Sales & Related Occupations (3,871 people), and Production Occupations (3,701 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of New Bedford, MA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

45.4k

2023 Value

± 1,689

−2.04%

1 Year decline

± 5.38%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in New Bedford, MA declined at a rate of −2.04%, from 46.3k employees to 45.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in New Bedford, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,016 people), Retail Trade (5,808 people), and Manufacturing (5,177 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of New Bedford, MA, though some of these residents may live in New Bedford, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$49,311

Median earning men ± $2,449

$35,808

Median earning women ± $1,641

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Information ($76,034), Public Administration ($74,071), and Manufacturing ($59,370).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Public Administration ($56,162), Information ($53,661), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($52,182).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.61%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.67M people employed in Massachusetts. This represents a 2.61% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 17.5%.

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

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Kamala Harris with 61.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36%), followed by Other (1.48%).

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

Voting results are not available for New Bedford, MA. Showing the available data for Massachusetts.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (61.2%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (36%)
Republican Party
Other (1.48%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Kamala Harris with 61.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36%), followed by Other (1.48%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Massachusetts for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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 2023, universities in New Bedford, MA awarded 8 degrees. The student population of New Bedford, MA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1 male students and 14 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in New Bedford, MA are Hispanic or Latino (5 and 62.5%), followed by White (3 and 37.5%), Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders (0 and 0%), and Unknown (0 and 0%).

The largest universities in New Bedford, MA by number of degrees awarded are Rob Roy Academy-New Bedford (8 and 100%).

The most popular majors in New Bedford, MA are General Cosmetology (8 and 100%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 15 students enrolled in New Bedford, MA, 6.67% men and 93.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 12 records, of which 91.7% were women and 8.33% men.

Completions

Concentrations

General Cosmetology

Most Common

8 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in New Bedford, MA was General Cosmetology with 8 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in New Bedford, MA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Rob Roy Academy-New Bedford

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

8 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Rob Roy Academy-New Bedford with 8 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2023, 0 men were awarded degrees from institutions in New Bedford, MA, which is 0 times less than the 8 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 5 degrees mean that there were 1.67 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 3 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.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2022, 1.17% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.24% 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 2022 were Bachelors Degree (1.35M), High School or Equivalent (1.34M), and Graduate Degree (1.03M).

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 New Bedford, MA was $324,400 in 2023, which is 1.07 times larger than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $291,300 to $324,400, a 11.4% increase. The homeownership rate in New Bedford, MA is 40%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in New Bedford, MA have an average commute time of 25.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in New Bedford, MA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in New Bedford, MA is $56,025. In 2023, the place with the highest median household income in New Bedford, MA was Census Tract 6502.01 with a value of $106,230, followed by Census Tract 6501.01 and Census Tract 6510.02, with respective values of $88,772 and $87,543.

Housing

Property

$324,400

Median Property Value 2023

±$7,635

$16,880

Median Property Taxes

±$926

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 New Bedford, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

40%

Homeownership

2023

60.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 40% of the housing units in New Bedford, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 39.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in New Bedford, 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 6502.01
Census Tract 6501.01
Census Tract 6510.02

In 2023, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in New Bedford, MA was Census Tract 6502.01 with a value of $106,230, followed by Census Tract 6501.01 and Census Tract 6510.02, with respective values of $88,772 and $87,543.

The following map shows all of the places in New Bedford, 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.

$56,025

Median Household Income

± $2,573

42.2k

Number of Households

± 1,600

In 2023, the median household income of the 42.2k households in New Bedford, MA grew to $56,025 from the previous year's value of $54,604.

The following chart displays the households in New Bedford, 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 New Bedford, MA is from Massachusetts.

0.48

2022 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.48

2021 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2022, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.48 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.047% growth from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less 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 2023

Drove Alone (72.8%)
Carpooled (15.3%)
Worked At Home (4.73%)

In 2023, 72.8% of workers in New Bedford, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (15.3%) and those who worked at home (4.73%).

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

25.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in New Bedford, MA have a shorter commute time (25.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 3.52% of the workforce in New Bedford, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

19.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in New Bedford, MA (19.7k out of 99.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in New Bedford, MA is White, followed by Hispanic and Other.

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.

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.

Health

95.1% of the population of New Bedford, MA has health coverage, with 31.9% on employee plans, 42.3% on Medicaid, 9.25% on Medicare, 10.9% on non-group plans, and 0.894% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Bristol County, MA see 1934 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.26% increase from the previous year (1910 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1465 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 183 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Bristol County, MA.

1,934 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Bristol County, MA

Primary care physicians in Bristol County, MA see an average of 1,934 patients per year. This represents a 1.26% increase from the previous year (1,910 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.9% under 18 years, 22.3% between 18 and 34 years, 37.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.2% were men and 50.8% were women.

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

Uninsured People

4.86%

Uninsured

31.9%

Employer Coverage

42.3%

Medicaid

9.25%

Medicare

10.9%

Non-Group

0.894%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in New Bedford, MA grew by 5.15% from 4.63% to 4.86%.

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

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