New Bedford, MA

Census Place

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2024 Population
100,998
US Senator
Elizabeth Warren
Democratic Party
US Senator
Ed Markey
Democratic Party
2024 Poverty Rate
20.6%
3.47% 1-year increase
2024 Median Household Income
$56,981
1.71% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$357,300
10.1% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
45,599
0.449% 1-year growth

About

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.

88.9% 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 2024, the median property value in New Bedford, MA was $357,300, and the homeownership rate was 40.3%.

Most people in New Bedford, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.7 minutes. The average car ownership in New Bedford, MA was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
United StatesMassachusettsBristol County, MAProvidence-Warwick, RI-MABristol County (Central)--Fall River, Somerset & Acushnet PUMA, MABristol County (South)--New Bedford, Dartmouth & Westport PUMA, MA

Population & Diversity

New Bedford, MA is home to a population of 101k people, from which 88.9% are citizens. As of 2024, 21.6% of New Bedford, MA residents were born outside of the country (21.8k people).

In 2024, there were 4.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (54.7k people) in New Bedford, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 13.3k Other (Hispanic) and 8.06k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

88.9%
2024 Citizenship
89.1%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 88.9% of New Bedford, MA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in New Bedford, MA was 89.1%, 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.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in New Bedford, MA
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    54.7k ± 1.96k
  2. Other (Hispanic)
    13.3k ± 1.6k
  3. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
    8.06k ± 1.26k
25.8%
Hispanic Population
26.1k people

In 2024, there were 4.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (54.7k people) in New Bedford, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 13.3k Other (Hispanic) and 8.06k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

25.8% of the people in New Bedford, MA are hispanic (26.1k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in New Bedford, MA as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.
Most Common Origin
  1. China
    103,356 ± 7,834 people
  2. Brazil
    101,793 ± 7,776 people
  3. Dominican Republic
    101,190 ± 7,753 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 103,356 Massachusetts residents, followed by Brazil with 101,793 and Dominican Republic with 101,190.

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Foreign-Born Population

21.6%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
21.8k people
21.6%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
21.8k people

As of 2024, 21.6% of New Bedford, MA residents (21.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in New Bedford, MA was 21.6%, 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.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    940 ± 270
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    518 ± 165
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    432 ± 178

New Bedford, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.81 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in New Bedford, MA.

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Economy

The economy of New Bedford, MA employs 45.6k people. In 2024, the largest industries in New Bedford, MA were Health Care & Social Assistance (9,227 people), Retail Trade (5,568 people), and Manufacturing (5,060 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($80,257), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($74,432), and Public Administration ($72,553).

Employment

Occupations

45.6k
2024 Value
± 1,706
0.449%
1 Year growth
± 5.25%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in New Bedford, MA grew at a rate of 0.449%, from 45.4k employees to 45.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in New Bedford, MA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,279 people), Sales & Related Occupations (4,031 people), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (3,810 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of New Bedford, MA.

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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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

45.6k
2024 Value
± 1,706
0.449%
1 Year growth
± 5.25%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in New Bedford, MA grew at a rate of 0.449%, from 45.4k employees to 45.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in New Bedford, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,227 people), Retail Trade (5,568 people), and Manufacturing (5,060 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.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$50,541
Median earning men ± $2,153
$36,614
Median earning women ± $1,831

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($81,786), Information ($78,798), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($60,577).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($60,482), Public Administration ($60,131), and Information ($54,222).

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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.

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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

Voting results are not available for New Bedford, MA. Showing the available data for Massachusetts.
2024 Election Results
  1. Kamala Harris (61.2%)
    Democratic Party
  2. Donald J. Trump (36%)
    Republican Party
  3. 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.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Massachusetts

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.
Elizabeth Warren
Senator from Massachusetts1
Assumed office on January 3, 2013
Ed Markey
Senator from Massachusetts2
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.

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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%) and White (3 and 37.5%).

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in New Bedford, MA was $357,300 in 2024, which is 1.07 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $324,400 to $357,300, a 10.1% increase. The homeownership rate in New Bedford, MA is 40.3%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in New Bedford, MA have an average commute time of 24.7 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.

Housing

Property

$357,300
Median Property Value 2024
±$5,595
$17,040
Median Property Taxes
±$943

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.

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Rent vs Own

40.3%
Homeownership
2024
58.6%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 40.3% of the housing units in New Bedford, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 40%.

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

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$56,981
Median Household Income
± $3,070
42.3k
Number of Households
± 1,622

In 2024, the median household income of the 42.3k households in New Bedford, MA grew to $56,981 from the previous year's value of $56,025.

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.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for New Bedford, MA is from Massachusetts.
0.478
2023 Wage GINI in Massachusetts
0.48
2022 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2023, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.478 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.384% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.476. 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.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (72.1%)
  2. Carpooled (15.2%)
  3. Worked At Home (5.4%)

In 2024, 72.1% of workers in New Bedford, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (15.2%) and those who worked at home (5.4%).

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.

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Commute Time

24.7 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in New Bedford, MA have a shorter commute time (24.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.25% 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.

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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.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

20.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in New Bedford, MA (20.5k out of 99.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. 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.

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Health

94.6% of the population of New Bedford, MA has health coverage, with 31% on employee plans, 42.5% on Medicaid, 9% on Medicare, 11.5% on non-group plans, and 0.564% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Massachusetts see 990 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (990 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 915 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 130 patients per year.

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

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.2% under 18 years, 22.1% between 18 and 34 years, 37.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.7% over 64 years.

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

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

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Uninsured People

5.36%
Uninsured
31%
Employer Coverage
42.5%
Medicaid
9%
Medicare
11.5%
Non-Group
0.564%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in New Bedford, MA grew by 10.2% from 4.86% to 5.36%.

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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