City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Sturbridge, MA

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

2,277
Residents
$129,413
Median income
$404,700
Median home
$1,749
Median rent (state)

Sturbridge - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Sturbridge places in the 90th percentile for household income and the 61st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

90th
percentile, household income
78th
percentile, home value
71st
percentile, median rent
61st
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: Sturbridge, MA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,277 residents in Sturbridge, a small town within Massachusetts. Median household income here is $129,413 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 0.4%. Home values in Sturbridge run a median of $404,700, and the median resident age is 49.6 years. About 55.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 64.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Sturbridge reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1065.6 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,749 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Massachusetts's average monthly utility costs around $330 (state average). The average commute for Sturbridge workers runs 28.0 minutes, with 71.9% driving alone and 12.0% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 93.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

2,277 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$129,413 /yr

Poverty 0.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Sturbridge compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 90% higher than other cities
Home value 78% pricier than other cities
Median rent 71% pricier than other cities
Safety 61% 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: Sturbridge ranks #88 of 149 Massachusetts cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 Sturbridge'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.

90thIncome percentile
61stSafety percentile

90th percentile nationally for median household income · 61st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sturbridge's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sturbridge'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 59 Avg. percentile National median
Sturbridge'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 Sturbridge's home value compares nationally

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

$404,700 22nd percentile more affordable than 22% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Sturbridge $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 - Sturbridge, MA Sturbridge, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sturbridge, 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 Sturbridge, MA median $129,413/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%
Sturbridge, 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 Sturbridge, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 55.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.9%

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

Population
2,277
Median Income
$129,413
Median Home Value
$404,700
Median Age
49.6
Poverty Rate
0.4%
Labor force participation
64.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
55.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1065.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
217.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
848.5
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
2
Public schools in this city

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
28.0 minutes
Drive Alone
71.9%
Carpool
16.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
12.0%

Based on 1,233 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 Sturbridge 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

Cedar Crest
2,289 people
Belchertown
2,299 people
Boxford
2,325 people
Pocasset
2,375 people
Dover
2,386 people
Lunenburg
2,163 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sturbridge's 2,277 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

McDonald, PA
2,277 people
Arnold, CA
2,276 people
White Castle, LA
2,278 people
Plainview, TN
2,276 people
New Glarus, WI
2,276 people
Bethlehem, CT
2,275 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sturbridge's $129,413 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Shelter Island, NY
$129,410 median income
Lee Vining, CA
$129,407 median income
Cary, NC
$129,399 median income
Prairie Heights, WA
$129,438 median income
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
$129,442 median income
Montauk, NY
$129,375 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sturbridge, 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 Sturbridge, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.9% White 94.8% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.3% Two or more races 3.1% 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 Sturbridge 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
Sturbridge (this city) 2,277 $129,413
Cedar Crest 2,289 $175,313
Belchertown 2,299 $68,393
Boxford 2,325 $238,375
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sturbridge, MA?

What is the population of Sturbridge, MA? +

2,277 people live in Sturbridge, MA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Sturbridge runs $129,413, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sturbridge? +

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

Sturbridge has a total crime rate of 1065.6 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 Sturbridge, MA? +

A typical home in Sturbridge is worth $404,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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