City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Amherst, MA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Amherst - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

35,472
Residents
$65,938
Median income
$454,000
Median home
$2,004
Median rent (state)

Amherst - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Amherst places in the 44th percentile for household income and the 87th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

44th
percentile, household income
82nd
percentile, home value
84th
percentile, median rent
87th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Amherst, MA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 35,472 residents in Amherst, a small city within Massachusetts. Amherst households earn a median of $65,938 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.7%. Home values in Amherst run a median of $454,000, and the median resident age is 21.3 years. Educational attainment runs 73.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 48.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Amherst reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 466.5 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 48.2°F with 46.6 inches of precipitation per year and 36.5 inches of snowfall.

Massachusetts carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Massachusetts scores 105.8 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,004 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Massachusetts's average monthly utility costs around $330 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 69.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

35,472 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$65,938 /yr

Poverty 3.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Amherst compare to other US cities?

Here's how Amherst stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 44% higher than other cities
Home value 82% pricier than other cities
Median rent 84% pricier than other cities
Safety 87% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Massachusetts, Amherst ranks #31 of 149 Massachusetts cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Amherst's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Massachusetts, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

44thIncome percentile
87thSafety percentile

44th percentile nationally for median household income · 87th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Amherst's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Amherst's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 49 Avg. percentile National median
Amherst's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Amherst's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$454,000 18th percentile more affordable than 18% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Amherst $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Amherst, MA Amherst, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Amherst, MA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Amherst, MA median $65,938/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Amherst, MA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Amherst, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 73.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 48.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
35,472
Median Income
$65,938
Median Home Value
$454,000
Median Age
21.3
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Labor force participation
48.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
73.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
466.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
159.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
306.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
46.6"
Annual Snowfall
36.5"

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
25,000 residents30,000 residents35,000 residents40,000 residents45,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 27,803 residents 40,920 residents ▲ +47.2%
Amherst's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
42.1%
Carpool
5.8%
Public Transit
8.2%
Walk
21.8%
Work from Home
19.3%
Other
2.8%

Based on 14,320 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Massachusetts - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$160
avg/month
Natural Gas
$110
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$60
avg/month
Total Utilities
$330
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Massachusetts state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Massachusetts state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Amherst sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.8
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,004/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
69.9 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Watertown
35,270 people
Randolph
34,683 people
Lexington
34,085 people
Franklin
33,067 people
Holyoke
37,949 people
Braintree
38,762 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Amherst's 35,472 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fair Oaks, VA
35,472 people
Addison, IL
35,470 people
Springville, UT
35,474 people
Stockbridge, GA
35,475 people
Torrington, CT
35,481 people
Oswego, IL
35,463 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Amherst's $65,938 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Plainview, CA
$65,938 median income
Farragut, IA
$65,938 median income
Marble Rock, IA
$65,938 median income
Reading, KS
$65,938 median income
Jonesport, ME
$65,938 median income
Hammon, OK
$65,938 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Amherst, MA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Amherst, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 67.8% 13.8% 11.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.9% White 67.8% Black or African American 4.7% Asian 13.8% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 1.9% Two or more races 11.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Amherst compares to nearby Massachusetts cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Amherst (this city) 35,472 $65,938
Watertown 35,270 $123,422
Randolph 34,683 $103,129
Lexington 34,085 $219,402
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Amherst, MA?

What is the population of Amherst, MA? +

Amherst, MA counts 35,472 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Amherst, MA? +

In Amherst, the typical household earns $65,938 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Amherst? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Amherst; the closest available measure is the Massachusetts state average, a cost of living index of 105.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Massachusetts vary by metro area.

Is Amherst, MA safe? +

Amherst has a total crime rate of 466.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Amherst, MA? +

Homes in Amherst carry a median value of $454,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Amherst? +

The average annual temperature in Amherst runs 48.2°F, 46.6 inches of precipitation, and 36.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.