City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Greenfield, MA

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

17,662
Residents
$53,961
Median income
$252,000
Median home
$1,866
Median rent (state)

Greenfield - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Greenfield places in the 26th percentile for household income and the 19th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

26th
percentile, household income
56th
percentile, home value
79th
percentile, median rent
19th
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: Greenfield, MA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 17,662 residents in Greenfield, a small town within Massachusetts. Median household income here is $53,961 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.2%. Typical homes in Greenfield are valued around $252,000, and the median resident age is 44.1 years. 37.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 53.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 17 residential building permits were authorized in Greenfield (Rapid Growth), up 42% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2698.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Massachusetts carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Massachusetts at 105.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,866 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Massachusetts's average monthly utility costs around $330 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 60.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

17,662 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$53,961 /yr

Poverty 10.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Greenfield compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 26% higher than other cities
Home value 56% pricier than other cities
Median rent 79% pricier than other cities
Safety 19% 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, Greenfield ranks #144 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

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

Massachusetts-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Greenfield near the bottom of Massachusetts's cities

Among the 240 Massachusetts cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Greenfield ranks #226 - the 6th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Greenfield only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#223 of 233
4th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Gross Rent
#172 of 247
27th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Home Value
#226 of 240
6th percentile in Massachusetts
Poverty Rate
#43 of 247
82nd percentile in Massachusetts
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#164 of 247
33rd 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.

26thIncome percentile
19thSafety percentile

26th percentile nationally for median household income · 19th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Greenfield's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Greenfield'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 26 Avg. percentile National median
Greenfield'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 Greenfield's home value compares nationally

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

$252,000 44th percentile more affordable than 44% 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. Greenfield $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 - Greenfield, MA Greenfield, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Greenfield, 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 Greenfield, MA median $53,961/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%
Greenfield, 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 Greenfield, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 37.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.6%

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

Population
17,662
Median Income
$53,961
Median Home Value
$252,000
Median Age
44.1
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Labor force participation
53.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
37.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2698.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
694.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2003.6
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
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
17,600 residents17,650 residents17,700 residents17,750 residents17,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 17,714 residents 17,691 residents ▼ -0.1%
Greenfield's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
17
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
13
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2021 12
2022 8
2023 6
2024 17

Permit volume increased 42% from 2021 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
70.0%
Carpool
7.8%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
7.1%
Work from Home
12.7%
Other
1.8%

Based on 7,680 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 Greenfield sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.8
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,866/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
60.7 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Southbridge
17,806 people
Amesbury
17,277 people
Somerset
18,246 people
Abington
17,008 people
Newburyport
18,444 people
Winthrop
18,807 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Greenfield's 17,662 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Norcross, GA
17,669 people
Tillmans Corner, AL
17,678 people
Lemont, IL
17,643 people
Natchitoches, LA
17,682 people
Glassmanor, MD
17,687 people
Gainesville, TX
17,688 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Greenfield's $53,961 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Plattsburgh, NY
$53,962 median income
Smith Center, KS
$53,963 median income
Kings Beach, CA
$53,964 median income
Hopedale, IL
$53,958 median income
Radom, IL
$53,958 median income
Hermansville, MI
$53,958 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Greenfield, 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 Greenfield, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.0% White 88.7% Black or African American 2.5% Asian 1.9% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 3.3% Two or more races 3.5% 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 Greenfield 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
Greenfield (this city) 17,662 $53,961
Southbridge 17,806 $59,397
Amesbury 17,277 $100,599
Somerset 18,246 $111,720
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Greenfield, MA?

What is the population of Greenfield, MA? +

17,662 people live in Greenfield, MA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Greenfield is $53,961 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Greenfield? +

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

Greenfield has a total crime rate of 2698.2 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Greenfield, MA? +

A typical home in Greenfield is worth $252,000, 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

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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.