City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Pittsfield, MA

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

43,559
Residents
$68,386
Median income
$233,700
Median home
$1,626
Median rent (state)

Pittsfield - the verdict

Nationally, Pittsfield sits in the 47th percentile for household income and the 38th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

47th
percentile, household income
52nd
percentile, home value
64th
percentile, median rent
38th
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: Pittsfield, MA

Massachusetts's Pittsfield is a small city, with 43,559 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Pittsfield households earn a median of $68,386 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.7%. Typical homes in Pittsfield are valued around $233,700, and the median resident age is 43.2 years. Educational attainment runs 34.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 15 residential building permits were authorized in Pittsfield (Building Boom), up 200% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Pittsfield reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1750.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, below 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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,626 per month. 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 84.0 out of 100 (High).

Population

43,559 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$68,386 /yr

Poverty 9.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Pittsfield compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 47% higher than other cities
Home value 52% pricier than other cities
Median rent 64% pricier than other cities
Safety 38% 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, Pittsfield ranks #129 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 Pittsfield'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.

47thIncome percentile
38thSafety percentile

47th percentile nationally for median household income · 38th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Pittsfield's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Pittsfield'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 42 Avg. percentile National median
Pittsfield'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 Pittsfield's home value compares nationally

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

$233,700 48th percentile more affordable than 48% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $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. Pittsfield $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 - Pittsfield, MA Pittsfield, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Pittsfield, 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 Pittsfield, MA median $68,386/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%
Pittsfield, 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 Pittsfield, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 34.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.6%

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

Population
43,559
Median Income
$68,386
Median Home Value
$233,700
Median Age
43.2
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Labor force participation
59.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
34.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1750.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
511.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1239.6
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
15
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
42,500 residents43,000 residents43,500 residents44,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 43,837 residents 42,909 residents ▼ -2.1%
Pittsfield's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
15
housing units authorized
Single-Family
6
detached homes
Multifamily
9
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 5
2021 25
2022 6
2023 16
2024 15

Permit volume increased 200% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.7%
Carpool
9.5%
Public Transit
1.8%
Walk
3.0%
Work from Home
8.5%
Other
1.5%

Based on 21,139 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 Pittsfield sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.8
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,626/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
84.0 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Leominster
43,697 people
Salem
44,241 people
Beverly
42,408 people
Fitchburg
41,633 people
Marlborough
41,398 people
Woburn
41,205 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Pittsfield's 43,559 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Channelview, TX
43,536 people
Waxahachie, TX
43,591 people
Ormond Beach, FL
43,514 people
Newnan, GA
43,510 people
Altoona, PA
43,508 people
Linden, NJ
43,614 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Pittsfield's $68,386 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mount Holly Springs, PA
$68,388 median income
Rossford, OH
$68,381 median income
Micanopy, FL
$68,393 median income
Neck City, MO
$68,393 median income
Harrells, NC
$68,393 median income
Clarksville, OH
$68,393 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Pittsfield, 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 Pittsfield, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 80.0% 10.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.0% White 80.0% Black or African American 5.3% Asian 1.4% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.9% Two or more races 10.0% 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 Pittsfield 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
Pittsfield (this city) 43,559 $68,386
Leominster 43,697 $81,556
Salem 44,241 $85,137
Beverly 42,408 $103,739
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Pittsfield, MA?

What is the population of Pittsfield, MA? +

The population of Pittsfield, MA stands at 43,559 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Pittsfield, the typical household earns $68,386 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Pittsfield? +

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

Pittsfield has a total crime rate of 1750.9 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 Pittsfield, MA? +

A typical home in Pittsfield is worth $233,700, 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.