Worcester, MA

Census Place

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2023 Population

205,501

0.642% 1-year growth

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2023 Median Age

34.1

0.583% 1-year decrease

2023 Poverty Rate

19.8%

1.6% 1-year increase

2023 Median Household Income

$67,544

7.19% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$339,500

11.1% 1-year growth

2023 Employed Population

102,829

1.98% 1-year growth

About

In 2023, Worcester, MA had a population of 206k people with a median age of 34.1 and a median household income of $67,544. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Worcester, MA grew from 204,191 to 205,501, a 0.642% increase and its median household income grew from $63,011 to $67,544, a 7.19% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Worcester, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (50.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (11.4%), Two+ (Hispanic) (10.2%), White (Hispanic) (7.5%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (6.92%).

None of the households in Worcester, 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.

88.6% of the residents in Worcester, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Worcester, MA are Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2,186 degrees awarded in 2022), Worcester State University (168430) (1,510 degrees), and Quinsigamond Community College (1,287 degrees).

In 2023, the median property value in Worcester, MA was $339,500, and the homeownership rate was 42.4%.

Most people in Worcester, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Worcester, MA was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Worcester public library

Photo by LEONARDO DASILVA

United States Massachusetts Worcester County, MA Worcester, MA-CT Worcester County (East Central)--Outside Worcester City PUMA, MA Worcester City (East) PUMA, MA Worcester City (West) PUMA, MA Worcester County (West Central)--Outside Worcester City PUMA, MA

Population & Diversity

Worcester, MA is home to a population of 206k people, from which 88.6% are citizens. As of 2023, 23.1% of Worcester, MA residents were born outside of the country (47.4k people).

In 2023, there were 4.42 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (104k people) in Worcester, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 23.5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 20.9k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

88.6%

2023 Citizenship

88.9%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 88.6% of Worcester, MA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Worcester, MA was 88.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Worcester, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
104k ± 2.75k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
23.5k ± 1.46k
Two+ (Hispanic)
20.9k ± 2.27k

24.9%

Hispanic Population

51.2k people

24.9% of the people in Worcester, MA are hispanic (51.2k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Worcester, 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

23.1%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

47.4k people

23.2%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

47.3k people

As of 2023, 23.1% of Worcester, MA residents (47.4k 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 Worcester, MA was 23.2%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,947 ± 350
Gulf War (2001-)
1,375 ± 344
Gulf War (1990s)
534 ± 240

Worcester, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.42 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Worcester, MA employs 103k people. The largest industries in Worcester, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (20,208 people), Educational Services (13,769 people), and Retail Trade (11,530 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($102,773), Public Administration ($75,668), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($69,383).

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

103k

2023 Value

± 2,884

1.98%

1 Year growth

± 3.91%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Worcester, MA grew at a rate of 1.98%, from 101k employees to 103k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Worcester, MA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (10,567 people), Management Occupations (9,924 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (7,855 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Worcester, 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

103k

2023 Value

± 2,884

1.98%

1 Year growth

± 3.91%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Worcester, MA grew at a rate of 1.98%, from 101k employees to 103k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Worcester, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (20,208 people), Educational Services (13,769 people), and Retail Trade (11,530 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Worcester, MA, though some of these residents may live in Worcester, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$49,582

Median earning men ± $1,664

$40,062

Median earning women ± $1,214

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Public Administration ($82,798), Information ($72,446), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($71,750).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Public Administration ($65,600), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($61,608), and Manufacturing ($53,095).

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 Worcester, 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 2022, universities in Worcester, MA awarded 8,514 degrees. The student population of Worcester, MA in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 13,504 male students and 16,162 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Worcester, MA are White (5,431 and 69.5%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (875 and 11.2%), Black or African American (498 and 6.37%), and Asian (474 and 6.06%).

The largest universities in Worcester, MA by number of degrees awarded are Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2,186 and 25.7%), Worcester State University (168430) (1,510 and 17.7%), and Quinsigamond Community College (1,287 and 15.1%).

The most popular majors in Worcester, MA are General Business Administration & Management (598 and 7.02%), General Psychology (488 and 5.73%), and Mechanical Engineering (377 and 4.43%).

The median tuition costs in Worcester, MA are $54,000 for private four year colleges, and $970 and $7,050 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2022 in Worcester, MA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 58.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 19.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 29,666 (45.5% men and 54.5% 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 2022 there were 29,666 students enrolled in Worcester, MA, 45.5% men and 54.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 16,980 records, of which 55.5% were women and 44.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Mechanical Engineering
274 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
263 degrees awarded
General Psychology
443 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Worcester, MA was Mechanical Engineering with 274 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
2,186 degrees awarded
Worcester State University (168430)
1,510 degrees awarded
Quinsigamond Community College
1,287 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Worcester Polytechnic Institute with 2,186 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 3,659 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Worcester, MA, which is 0.754 times less than the 4,855 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 5,431 degrees mean that there were 6.21 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 875 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 ($54,000) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2022.

Public, 4-year or above ($9,816) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,368) 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 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 Worcester, MA was $339,500 in 2023, which is 1.12 times larger than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $305,600 to $339,500, a 11.1% increase. The homeownership rate in Worcester, MA is 42.4%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in Worcester, MA have an average commute time of 25.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Worcester, MA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Worcester, MA is $67,544. In 2023, the place with the highest median household income in Worcester, MA was Census Tract 7308.01 with a value of $147,679, followed by Census Tract 7301 and Census Tract 7307, with respective values of $131,315 and $127,564.

Housing

Property

$339,500

Median Property Value 2023

±$7,287

$33,510

Median Property Taxes

±$1,422

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

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

Rent vs Own

42.4%

Homeownership

2023

64.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 42.4% of the housing units in Worcester, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 42.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Worcester, 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 7308.01
Census Tract 7301
Census Tract 7307

In 2023, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Worcester, MA was Census Tract 7308.01 with a value of $147,679, followed by Census Tract 7301 and Census Tract 7307, with respective values of $131,315 and $127,564.

The following map shows all of the places in Worcester, 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.

$67,544

Median Household Income

± $2,165

79.1k

Number of Households

± 2,422

In 2023, the median household income of the 79.1k households in Worcester, MA grew to $67,544 from the previous year's value of $63,011.

The following chart displays the households in Worcester, 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 Worcester, 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 (65.8%)
Carpooled (11.6%)
Worked At Home (10.7%)

In 2023, 65.8% of workers in Worcester, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.6%) and those who worked at home (10.7%).

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

25.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Worcester, MA have a shorter commute time (25.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 2.56% of the workforce in Worcester, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

19.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Worcester, MA (38.1k out of 193k 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 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

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

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

96.1% of the population of Worcester, MA has health coverage, with 41.6% on employee plans, 32.5% on Medicaid, 7.2% on Medicare, 14% on non-group plans, and 0.861% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Worcester County, MA see 997 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.499% decrease from the previous year (1002 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1326 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 181 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

997 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Worcester County, MA

Primary care physicians in Worcester County, MA see an average of 997 patients per year. This represents a 0.499% decrease from the previous year (1,002 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.7% under 18 years, 30% between 18 and 34 years, 35.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

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

Uninsured People

3.85%

Uninsured

41.6%

Employer Coverage

32.5%

Medicaid

7.2%

Medicare

14%

Non-Group

0.861%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Worcester, MA grew by 14.9% from 3.35% to 3.85%.

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

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