City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Westfield, MA

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

40,673
Residents
$82,847
Median income
$295,500
Median home
$1,734
Median rent (state)

Westfield - the verdict

Nationally, Westfield sits in the 64th percentile for household income and the 64th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

64th
percentile, household income
64th
percentile, home value
70th
percentile, median rent
64th
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: Westfield, MA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 40,673 residents in Westfield, a small city within Massachusetts. Median household income here is $82,847 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.4%. Typical homes in Westfield are valued around $295,500, and the median resident age is 39.0 years. Educational attainment runs 32.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 43 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Stable), down 2% from five years earlier. Westfield reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 998.3 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). NOAA puts Westfield's yearly average temperature at 48.7°F with 52.4 inches of precipitation per year.

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 $1,734 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Massachusetts run around $330, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 92.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

40,673 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$82,847 /yr

Poverty 7.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Westfield compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 64% higher than other cities
Home value 64% pricier than other cities
Median rent 70% pricier than other cities
Safety 64% 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: Westfield ranks #82 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 Westfield'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.

64thIncome percentile
64thSafety percentile

64th percentile nationally for median household income · 64th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Westfield's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Westfield'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 54 Avg. percentile National median
Westfield'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 Westfield's home value compares nationally

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

$295,500 36th percentile more affordable than 36% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Westfield $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 - Westfield, MA Westfield, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Westfield, 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 Westfield, MA median $82,847/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%
Westfield, 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 Westfield, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.2%

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

Population
40,673
Median Income
$82,847
Median Home Value
$295,500
Median Age
39.0
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Labor force participation
57.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
998.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
191.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
806.9
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
48.7°F
Annual Precipitation
52.4"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
12
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
40,000 residents40,200 residents40,400 residents40,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 40,153 residents 40,546 residents ▲ +1.0%
Westfield's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
43
housing units authorized
Single-Family
43
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 44
2020 45
2021 52
2022 46
2023 40
2024 43

Permit volume decreased 2% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.8%
Carpool
4.8%
Public Transit
2.0%
Walk
3.1%
Work from Home
7.5%
Other
1.8%

Based on 18,996 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 Westfield sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.8
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,734/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Woburn
41,205 people
Marlborough
41,398 people
Fitchburg
41,633 people
Chelsea
39,460 people
Beverly
42,408 people
Braintree
38,762 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Westfield's 40,673 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Essex, MD
40,670 people
State College, PA
40,669 people
Cedar Falls, IA
40,662 people
Meadow Woods, FL
40,741 people
Annapolis, MD
40,744 people
Lancaster, TX
40,753 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Westfield's $82,847 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Richlandtown, PA
$82,847 median income
Northview, MI
$82,853 median income
Varnell, GA
$82,857 median income
Melbourne, IA
$82,857 median income
St. Libory, NE
$82,857 median income
Addison, TX
$82,858 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Westfield, 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 Westfield, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.3% 6.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.0% White 85.3% Black or African American 1.1% Asian 3.6% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 3.5% Two or more races 6.2% 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 Westfield 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
Westfield (this city) 40,673 $82,847
Woburn 41,205 $107,754
Marlborough 41,398 $95,047
Fitchburg 41,633 $70,659
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Westfield, MA?

What is the population of Westfield, MA? +

The population of Westfield, MA stands at 40,673 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Westfield, the typical household earns $82,847 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Westfield? +

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

Westfield has a total crime rate of 998.3 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 Westfield, MA? +

A typical home in Westfield is worth $295,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Westfield? +

The average annual temperature in Westfield runs 48.7°F, 52.4 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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