City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

Worcester, MA

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

205,501
Residents
$67,544
Median income
$339,500
Median home
$1,749
Median rent (state)

Worcester - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Worcester places in the 46th percentile for household income and the 99th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

46th
percentile, household income
70th
percentile, home value
71st
percentile, median rent
99th
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: Worcester, MA

Worcester is a mid-sized U.S. city in Massachusetts, home to 205,501 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $67,544 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.4%. Typical homes in Worcester are valued around $339,500, and the median resident age is 34.1 years. Educational attainment runs 34.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 60.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 945 residential building permits were authorized in Worcester (Building Boom), up 1250% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Worcester reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 16.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,749 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Massachusetts run around $330, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Worcester workers runs 22.4 minutes, with 65.8% driving alone and 10.7% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 93.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

205,501 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$67,544 /yr

Poverty 14.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does Worcester compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 46% higher than other cities
Home value 70% pricier than other cities
Median rent 71% pricier than other cities
Safety 99% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Massachusetts alone, Worcester ranks #1 of 149 Massachusetts cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Massachusetts-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is Worcester's strongest outlier among Massachusetts cities

Among the 247 Massachusetts cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Worcester ranks #20 - the 92nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Worcester only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#196 of 233
16th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Gross Rent
#181 of 247
15th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Home Value
#193 of 240
20th percentile in Massachusetts
Poverty Rate
#20 of 247
92nd percentile in Massachusetts
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#178 of 247
28th 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.

46thIncome percentile
99thSafety percentile

46th percentile nationally for median household income · 99th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Worcester's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Worcester'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 58 Avg. percentile National median
Worcester'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 Worcester's home value compares nationally

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

$339,500 30th percentile more affordable than 30% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Worcester $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 - Worcester, MA Worcester, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Worcester, 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 Worcester, MA median $67,544/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%
Worcester, 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 Worcester, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 34.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.8%

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

Population
205,501
Median Income
$67,544
Median Home Value
$339,500
Median Age
34.1
Poverty Rate
14.4%
Labor force participation
60.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
34.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
16.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
16.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
0.0
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
49
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
200,000 residents205,000 residents210,000 residents215,000 residents220,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 202,448 residents 213,862 residents ▲ +5.6%
Worcester's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
945
housing units authorized
Single-Family
75
detached homes
Multifamily
870
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 70
2020 70
2021 178
2022 812
2023 267
2024 945

Permit volume increased 1250% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
22.4 minutes
Drive Alone
65.8%
Carpool
11.6%
Public Transit
2.7%
Walk
5.5%
Work from Home
10.7%
Other
3.7%

Based on 100,375 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 Worcester 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

Springfield
154,751 people
Cambridge
117,794 people
Lowell
114,799 people
Brockton
105,080 people
Quincy
101,361 people
Lynn
100,905 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Worcester's 205,501 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cape Coral, FL
206,387 people
Columbus, GA
204,383 people
Salt Lake City, UT
203,888 people
Little Rock, AR
202,739 people
McKinney, TX
202,314 people
Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA
201,504 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Worcester's $67,544 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Navy Yard, WA
$67,546 median income
Fairlawn, VA
$67,549 median income
Port Vincent, LA
$67,538 median income
Broadview Park, FL
$67,532 median income
Alsip, IL
$67,557 median income
Oakland CDP (Cambria County), PA
$67,557 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Worcester, 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 Worcester, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 58.0% 12.1% 6.9% 7.3% 14.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 24.9% White 58.0% Black or African American 12.1% Asian 6.9% American Indian 0.6% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 7.3% Two or more races 14.9% 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 Worcester 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
Worcester (this city) 205,501 $67,544
Springfield 154,751 $51,339
Cambridge 117,794 $126,469
Lowell 114,799 $76,205
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Worcester, MA?

What is the population of Worcester, MA? +

Worcester, MA counts 205,501 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Worcester runs $67,544, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Worcester? +

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

Worcester has a total crime rate of 16.5 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 Worcester, MA? +

Worcester's median home value sits at $339,500, 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.