Town · Massachusetts
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Sturbridge, town, in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Sturbridge had 10,120 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 9,867 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 9,960 (±20). GEOID 2502768155.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,120
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,867 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,960 ±20
Median household income
$136,759
±$15,470 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$425,800
±$17,927 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,193
±$398 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Sturbridge and what county is it in?
Sturbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts. It covers 37.2 square miles of land, 265 residents per square mile in 2020.
2 places lie inside Sturbridge: Fiskdale (CDP, 2,797 in 2020) and Sturbridge (CDP, 2,385 in 2020).
Sturbridge is in the Worcester, MA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Sturbridge, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 10,120 people lived in Sturbridge on July 1, 2025, up 2.4% since 2020, faster than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 9,867 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 9,960 (±20).
| Measure | Sturbridge | Worcester County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,960±20 | 867,788 | +421 |
| Households | 4,072±170 | 335,826 | +453 |
| Average household size | 2.44±0.10 | 2.50 | −0.19 |
| Housing units | 4,405±190 | 355,185 | +558 |
Sturbridge's population since 2000
From 7,837 in 2000 to 10,120 in 2025: up 29.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Sturbridge as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Sturbridge?
The median resident of Sturbridge is 47.2 years old; 20.7% are under 18 and 19.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.3%. 5.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Sturbridge | Worcester County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.2±2.6 | 40.2 | +4.9 |
| Under 18 years | 20.7%±1.8 pts | 20.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.8%±3.0 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Male | 50.5%±1.9 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.3%±2.5 pts | 13.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.0%±4.1 pts | 70.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±1.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±2.1 pts | 5.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.4%±1.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.2%±1.9 pts | 14.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.9%±2.1 pts | 22.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±1.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| With a disability | 10.8%±2.2 pts | 13.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.2%±0.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.9%±2.1 pts | 91.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 49.3%±4.2 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 21.3%±3.6 pts | 16.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.3%±3.0 pts | 88.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.5%±1.7 pts | 1.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Sturbridge earn?
Half of Sturbridge's 4,072 households earn less than $136,759 a year (±$15,470), against $95,939 in Worcester County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 the median was $100,763 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $35,996 after inflation. 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Sturbridge | Worcester County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $136,759±$15,470 | $95,939 | +$35,996 |
| Mean household income | $151,843±$9,147 | $124,653 | – |
| Per capita income | $61,320±$3,731 | $48,914 | +$11,297 |
| People below the poverty line | 3.7%±1.4 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 1.7%±1.9 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.7%±2.6 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.6%±1.5 pts | 95.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.8%±2.1 pts | 92.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Sturbridge?
Owners occupy 86.3% of Sturbridge's occupied homes and renters 13.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $425,800 by its owner (±$17,927). The median renter pays $1,193 a month including utilities, and 23.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Sturbridge | Worcester County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $425,800±$17,927 | $423,700 | +$71,976 |
| Median gross rent | $1,193±$398 | $1,426 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 23.1%±12.2 pts | 40.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,578±$172 | $2,387 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 86.3%±3.5 pts | 65.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 13.7%±3.5 pts | 34.2% | – |
| Housing units | 4,405±190 | 355,185 | +558 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.3%±4.9 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.5%±3.8 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.0%±0.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.2%±1.8 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.5%±4.7 pts | 27.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.8%±1.6 pts | 8.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Sturbridge building?
Builders took permits for 12 new housing units in Sturbridge in 2025 (12 in single-family houses), 1.2 per 1,000 residents against 1.7 across Massachusetts.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Sturbridge work and get to work?
71.5% of Sturbridge's workers drive alone and 19.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 37.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Sturbridge | Worcester County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.5%±3.7 pts | 66.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±1.7 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.5%±5.0 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.2%±3.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Walked | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.8%±4.8 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 37.8 min±4.3 | 29.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Sturbridge?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Sturbridge (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $97,857 (Tract 7581.01) to $162,731 (Tract 7581.04).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 7581.03Worcester County | 4,541 | $136,528 |
| Tract 7581.04Worcester County | 3,576 | $162,731 |
| Tract 7581.01Worcester County | 1,843 | $97,857 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Sturbridge) · Census block assignment files
How does Sturbridge compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Sturbridge is the 1,219th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 101st-most populous of 266 in Massachusetts.
Sturbridge ranks 118th of 453 places in Massachusetts with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 101st | 266 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 108th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 375th | 461 |
| Median household income | 118th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 177th | 460 |
| Median home value | 323rd | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 318th | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 281st | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 201st | 459 |
| Median age | 167th | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 123rd | 460 |
| Work from home | 181st | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 23rd | 459 |
Sturbridge's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Sturbridge with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Sturbridge?
14 of the 57 figures for Sturbridge on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Sturbridge are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.