City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Bridgewater, MA

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

28,669
Residents
$112,482
Median income
$500,600
Median home
$2,311
Median rent (state)

Bridgewater - the verdict

Bridgewater ranks in the 84th percentile for household income and the 94th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

84th
percentile, household income
85th
percentile, home value
89th
percentile, median rent
94th
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: Bridgewater, MA

Massachusetts's Bridgewater is a small city, with 28,669 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $112,482 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.4%. Typical homes in Bridgewater are valued around $500,600, and the median resident age is 37.4 years. Educational attainment runs 39.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 58.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 38 residential building permits were authorized in Bridgewater (Slowing), down 16% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Bridgewater reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 274.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 49.2°F with 51.0 inches of precipitation per year.

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,311 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Massachusetts run around $330, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 90.4 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

28,669 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$112,482 /yr

Poverty 2.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Bridgewater compare to other US cities?

Where Bridgewater sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 84% higher than other cities
Home value 85% pricier than other cities
Median rent 89% pricier than other cities
Safety 94% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Massachusetts and the picture shifts: Bridgewater ranks #11 of 149 Massachusetts cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Bridgewater against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Massachusetts only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Massachusetts-relative analysis

Poverty Rate sits close to the middle of Massachusetts's city distribution

Among the 247 Massachusetts cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Bridgewater ranks #162 - the 33rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bridgewater only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#79 of 233
66th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Gross Rent
#101 of 247
39th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Home Value
#118 of 240
51st percentile in Massachusetts
Poverty Rate
#162 of 247
33rd percentile in Massachusetts
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#155 of 247
37th percentile in Massachusetts

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Massachusetts only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

84thIncome percentile
94thSafety percentile

84th percentile nationally for median household income · 94th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bridgewater's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bridgewater'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 64 Avg. percentile National median
Bridgewater'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 Bridgewater's home value compares nationally

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

$500,600 15th percentile more affordable than 15% 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%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Bridgewater $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 - Bridgewater, MA Bridgewater, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bridgewater, 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 Bridgewater, MA median $112,482/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%
Bridgewater, 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 Bridgewater, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 39.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.9%

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

Population
28,669
Median Income
$112,482
Median Home Value
$500,600
Median Age
37.4
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Labor force participation
58.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
39.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
274.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
74.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
200.2
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
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
51.0"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

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 →
26,000 residents27,000 residents28,000 residents29,000 residents30,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 26,761 residents 29,309 residents ▲ +9.5%
Bridgewater's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
38
housing units authorized
Single-Family
38
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 45
2020 144
2021 99
2022 41
2023 39
2024 38

Permit volume decreased 16% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.2%
Carpool
4.4%
Public Transit
2.0%
Walk
5.5%
Work from Home
11.9%
Other
1.0%

Based on 14,177 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 Bridgewater sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.8
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,311/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Northampton
28,640 people
West Springfield
28,635 people
Saugus
28,599 people
Agawam
28,510 people
Milton
28,481 people
Danvers
27,924 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bridgewater's 28,669 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Daphne, AL
28,673 people
Slidell, LA
28,664 people
Danville, IL
28,663 people
Newburgh, NY
28,649 people
Carney, MD
28,624 people
Port Huron, MI
28,724 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bridgewater's $112,482 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Treasure Lake, PA
$112,482 median income
Canal Winchester, OH
$112,474 median income
Pearland, TX
$112,470 median income
Madisonville, LA
$112,500 median income
Dover, MN
$112,500 median income
Virden, NM
$112,500 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bridgewater, 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 Bridgewater, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.4% 6.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.7% White 82.4% Black or African American 6.8% Asian 3.1% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.8% Two or more races 5.4% 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 Bridgewater 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
Bridgewater (this city) 28,669 $112,482
Northampton 28,640 $78,467
West Springfield 28,635 $70,401
Saugus 28,599 $100,819
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bridgewater, MA?

What is the population of Bridgewater, MA? +

The population of Bridgewater, MA stands at 28,669 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Bridgewater households earn a median of $112,482 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bridgewater? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bridgewater; 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 Bridgewater, MA safe? +

Bridgewater has a total crime rate of 274.9 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 Bridgewater, MA? +

A typical home in Bridgewater is worth $500,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Bridgewater? +

Climate normals put Bridgewater's yearly average temperature at 49.2°F, 51.0 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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

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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.