City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Gardner, MA

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

21,075
Residents
$62,948
Median income
$271,300
Median home
$1,749
Median rent (state)

Gardner - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Gardner lands in the 40th percentile for household income and the 66th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

40th
percentile, household income
60th
percentile, home value
71st
percentile, median rent
66th
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: Gardner, MA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 21,075 residents in Gardner, a small city within Massachusetts. Gardner households earn a median of $62,948 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.5%. Home values in Gardner run a median of $271,300, and the median resident age is 43.5 years. Educational attainment runs 22.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 7 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 53% from five years earlier. Gardner reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 948.9 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).

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 $1,749 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Massachusetts's average monthly utility costs around $330 (state average). The average commute for Gardner workers runs 27.3 minutes, with 69.5% driving alone and 12.0% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 93.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

21,075 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$62,948 /yr

Poverty 10.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Gardner compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 40% higher than other cities
Home value 60% pricier than other cities
Median rent 71% pricier than other cities
Safety 66% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Massachusetts alone, Gardner ranks #71 of 149 Massachusetts cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Gardner'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.

40thIncome percentile
66thSafety percentile

40th percentile nationally for median household income · 66th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Gardner's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Gardner'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 47 Avg. percentile National median
Gardner'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 Gardner's home value compares nationally

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

$271,300 40th percentile more affordable than 40% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $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. Gardner $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 - Gardner, MA Gardner, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Gardner, 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 Gardner, MA median $62,948/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%
Gardner, 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 Gardner, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.7%

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

Population
21,075
Median Income
$62,948
Median Home Value
$271,300
Median Age
43.5
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Labor force participation
53.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
948.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
328.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
620.1
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.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
20,800 residents21,000 residents21,200 residents21,400 residents21,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 21,210 residents 21,483 residents ▲ +1.3%
Gardner's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 15
2020 13
2021 20
2022 18
2023 17
2024 7

Permit volume decreased 53% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
27.3 minutes
Drive Alone
69.5%
Carpool
10.3%
Public Transit
2.2%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
12.0%
Other
3.7%

Based on 9,373 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 Gardner sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.8
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,749/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Marblehead
20,334 people
Winchester
22,862 people
Stoneham
22,986 people
Wilmington
23,195 people
Winthrop
18,807 people
Newburyport
18,444 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Gardner's 21,075 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

West St. Paul, MN
21,076 people
Hays, KS
21,078 people
Mineola, NY
21,082 people
Silverdale, WA
21,046 people
Hanahan, SC
21,119 people
Old Jamestown, MO
21,121 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Gardner's $62,948 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Athol, ID
$62,946 median income
Creston, OH
$62,950 median income
Sheboygan, WI
$62,953 median income
Seabrook, SC
$62,941 median income
Alburgh, VT
$62,955 median income
Greybull, WY
$62,941 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Gardner, 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 Gardner, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 81.3% 8.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.4% White 81.3% Black or African American 4.7% Asian 2.8% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.5% Two or more races 8.6% 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 Gardner 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
Gardner (this city) 21,075 $62,948
Marblehead 20,334 $165,859
Winchester 22,862 $218,176
Stoneham 22,986 $112,635
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Gardner, MA?

What is the population of Gardner, MA? +

The population of Gardner, MA stands at 21,075 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Gardner households earn a median of $62,948 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Gardner? +

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

Gardner has a total crime rate of 948.9 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 Gardner, MA? +

A typical home in Gardner is worth $271,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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 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.