Worcester, MA-CT

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

973,361

3.19% 1-year growth

2021 Median Age

40.3

0.248% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

9.99%

0.91% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$80,333

6.11% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$298,900

5.39% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

495,927

2.72% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Worcester, MA-CT had a population of 973k people with a median age of 40.3 and a median household income of $80,333. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Worcester, MA-CT grew from 943,312 to 973,361, a 3.19% increase and its median household income grew from $75,705 to $80,333, a 6.11% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Worcester, MA-CT are White (Non-Hispanic) (75.2%), White (Hispanic) (5.56%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.61%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.34%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (3.31%).

None of the households in Worcester, MA-CT reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.4% of the residents in Worcester, MA-CT are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Worcester, MA-CT are Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2,043 degrees awarded in 2021), Fitchburg State University (165820) (1,842 degrees), and Worcester State University (168430) (1,511 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Worcester, MA-CT was $298,900, and the homeownership rate was 66.3%.

Most people in Worcester, MA-CT drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 29.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Worcester, MA-CT was 2 cars per household.

Worcester, MA-CT borders Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, Greenfield Town, MA, Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT, Keene, NH, Manchester-Nashua, NH, Norwich-New London, CT, Providence-Warwick, RI-MA, and Springfield, MA.

About the photo: Union Station

Photo by Destination Worcester

United States Connecticut Massachusetts

Population & Diversity

Worcester, MA-CT is home to a population of 973k people, from which 94.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 12% of Worcester, MA-CT residents were born outside of the country (117k people).

In 2021, there were 13.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (732k people) in Worcester, MA-CT than any other race or ethnicity. There were 54.1k White (Hispanic) and 44.8k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.4%

2021 Citizenship

94.8%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 94.4% of Worcester, MA-CT residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Worcester, MA-CT was 94.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Worcester, MA-CT compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Worcester, MA-CT

White (Non-Hispanic)
732k ± 1.17k
White (Hispanic)
54.1k ± 2.5k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
44.8k ± 1.02k

12.3%

Hispanic Population

119k people

12.3% of the people in Worcester, MA-CT are hispanic (119k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Worcester, MA-CT as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Most Common Origin

China
125,512 ± 11,498 people
Dominican Republic
125,343 ± 11,648 people
India
123,177 ± 11,949 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts and Connecticut was China, the natal country of 125,512 Massachusetts and Connecticut residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 125,343 and India with 123,177.

Foreign-Born Population

12%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

117k people

11.4%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

108k people

As of 2021, 12% of Worcester, MA-CT residents (117k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Worcester, MA-CT was 11.4%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Worcester, MA-CT compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
15,369 ± 736
Gulf War (2001-)
7,990 ± 702
Gulf War (1990s)
6,052 ± 747

Worcester, MA-CT has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.92 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Worcester, MA-CT employs 496k people. The largest industries in Worcester, MA-CT are Health Care & Social Assistance (83,183 people), Manufacturing (59,441 people), and Retail Trade (57,507 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($100,255), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($84,928), and Utilities ($83,102).

Males in Massachusetts have an average income that is 1.31 times higher than the average income of females, which is $74,737. The income inequality in Massachusetts (measured using the Gini index) is 0.48, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

496k

2021 Value

± 5,629

2.72%

1 Year growth

± 1.59%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Worcester, MA-CT grew at a rate of 2.72%, from 483k employees to 496k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Worcester, MA-CT, are Management Occupations (57,114 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (51,755 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (45,712 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Worcester, MA-CT.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Massachusetts and Connecticut (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

496k

2021 Value

± 5,629

2.72%

1 Year growth

± 1.59%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Worcester, MA-CT grew at a rate of 2.72%, from 483k employees to 496k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Worcester, MA-CT, are Health Care & Social Assistance (83,183 people), Manufacturing (59,441 people), and Retail Trade (57,507 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Worcester, MA-CT, though some of these residents may live in Worcester, MA-CT and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$56,670

Median earning men ± $815

$40,777

Median earning women ± $821

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($86,493), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($83,326), and Information ($78,388).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($60,439), Public Administration ($58,437), and Information ($53,463).

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

8,249
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
4,912
Manufacturing
4,620
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$12.4M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$11.7M
Manufacturing
$4.16M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts and Connecticut to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts and Connecticut product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.1B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($50.7B) and Electronics ($41.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Massachusetts and Connecticut products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts and Connecticut.

$182B

2020 Value in Connecticut

$344B

Projected 2050 Value in Connecticut

89.3% growth

$296B

2020 Value in Massachusetts

$627B

Projected 2050 Value in Massachusetts

112% growth

In 2020, total outbound Connecticut trade was $182B. This is expected to increase 89.3% to $344B by 2050.

Comparatively, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $296B. This is expected to increase 112% to $627B by 2050.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts and Connecticut to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Most Common Trade Partners

New York
$62B
New Hampshire
$23.3B
California
$14.5B

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts and Connecticut domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $62B, followed by New Hampshire with $23.3B and California and $14.5B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Massachusetts and Connecticut shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Connecticut and Massachusetts went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 63.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.23%).

Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Richard Blumenthal, and Chris Murphy are the senators currently representing the state of Massachusetts and Connecticut. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Massachusetts and Connecticut is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Worcester, MA-CT. Showing the available data for Connecticut and Massachusetts.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (63.2%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (34.3%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.23%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Connecticut and Massachusetts for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Massachusetts and Connecticut

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Elizabeth Warren

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ed Markey

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on July 16, 2013
Elected to the seat to succeed Mo Cowan, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of John Kerry, who had become Secretary of State.

Richard Blumenthal

Senator from Connecticut

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Chris Murphy

Senator from Connecticut

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Richard Blumenthal, and Chris Murphy are the senators currently representing Massachusetts and Connecticut.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Massachusetts and Connecticut over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Massachusetts and Connecticut

Massachusetts and Connecticut is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Massachusetts and Connecticut have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Worcester, MA-CT awarded 13,479 degrees. The student population of Worcester, MA-CT in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 20,926 male students and 27,455 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Worcester, MA-CT are White (8,871 and 71.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (1,343 and 10.9%), Black or African American (762 and 6.16%), and Asian (535 and 4.33%).

The largest universities in Worcester, MA-CT by number of degrees awarded are Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2,043 and 15.2%), Fitchburg State University (165820) (1,842 and 13.7%), and Worcester State University (168430) (1,511 and 11.2%).

The most popular majors in Worcester, MA-CT are General Business Administration & Management (1,280 and 9.5%), General Psychology (640 and 4.75%), and Registered Nursing (387 and 2.87%).

The median tuition costs in Worcester, MA-CT are $47,525 for private four year colleges, and $970 and $7,050 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Worcester, MA-CT, the percentage of applicants admitted was 65.1%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 19.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 48,381 (43.3% men and 56.7% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 48,381 students enrolled in Worcester, MA-CT, 43.3% men and 56.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 30,285 records, of which 57.3% were women and 42.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
487 degree-majors awarded
General Biological Sciences
325 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
593 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Worcester, MA-CT was General Business Administration & Management with 487 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Worcester, MA-CT according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
2,043 degrees awarded
Fitchburg State University (165820)
1,842 degrees awarded
Worcester State University (168430)
1,511 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Worcester Polytechnic Institute with 2,043 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 5,592 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Worcester, MA-CT, which is 0.709 times less than the 7,887 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 8,871 degrees mean that there were 6.61 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,343 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($47,525) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($9,616) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,350) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Measure

In 2021, 1.01% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.03% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.12M), Bachelors Degree (1.95M), and Some college (1.57M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Worcester, MA-CT was $298,900 in 2021, which is 1.22 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $283,600 to $298,900, a 5.39% increase. The homeownership rate in Worcester, MA-CT is 66.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Worcester, MA-CT have an average commute time of 29.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Worcester, MA-CT is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Worcester, MA-CT is $80,333. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Worcester, MA-CT was Nantucket County, MA with a value of $116,571, followed by Norfolk County, MA and Middlesex County, MA, with respective values of $112,089 and $111,790.

Housing

Property

$298,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,178

$246,603

Median Property Taxes

±$3,074

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Worcester, MA-CT the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Worcester, MA-CT compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

66.3%

Homeownership

2021

61.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 66.3% of the housing units in Worcester, MA-CT were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 66%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Worcester, MA-CT compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Worcester, MA-CT was Nantucket County, MA with a value of $116,571, followed by Norfolk County, MA and Middlesex County, MA, with respective values of $112,089 and $111,790.

The following map shows all of the counties in Worcester, MA-CT colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$80,333

Median Household Income

± $989

372k

Number of Households

± 4,857

In 2021, the median household income of the 372k households in Worcester, MA-CT grew to $80,333 from the previous year's value of $75,705.

The following chart displays the households in Worcester, MA-CT distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Worcester, MA-CT is from Massachusetts and Connecticut.

0.48

2021 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.48

2020 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.502

2021 Wage GINI in Connecticut

0.501

2020 Wage GINI in Connecticut

In 2021, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.48 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0427% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Massachusetts in comparison to the national average.

In the same year, the income inequality in Connecticut was 0.502 and income inequality had a 0.223% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Connecticut was higher than than the national average of 0.478, meaning wages are distributed less evenly in Connecticut in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Massachusetts and Connecticut across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (76.2%)
Worked At Home (10.2%)
Carpooled (7.59%)

In 2021, 76.2% of workers in Worcester, MA-CT drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (10.2%) and those who carpooled to work (7.59%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

29.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Worcester, MA-CT have a longer commute time (29.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 3.77% of the workforce in Worcester, MA-CT have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Worcester, MA-CT compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Worcester, MA-CT distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Worcester, MA-CT have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

9.99% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Worcester, MA-CT (94k out of 941k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Worcester, MA-CT is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

97.4% of the population of Worcester, MA-CT has health coverage, with 53.8% on employee plans, 19.8% on Medicaid, 10.9% on Medicare, 12% on non-group plans, and 0.952% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Massachusetts see 960 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.826% decrease from the previous year (968 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 930 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 145 patients per year.

Similarly, primary care physicians in Connecticut see 1174 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.761% decrease from the previous year (1183 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1149 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 228 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts and Connecticut.

960 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Massachusetts

1,174 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Connecticut

Primary care physicians in Massachusetts see an average of 960 patients per year. This represents a 0.826% decrease from the previous year (968 patients).

Primary care physicians in Connecticut see an average of 1,174 patients per year. This represents a 0.761% decrease from the previous year (1,183 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Massachusetts and Connecticut in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.7% under 18 years, 20.9% between 18 and 34 years, 40.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

2.63%

Uninsured

53.8%

Employer Coverage

19.8%

Medicaid

10.9%

Medicare

12%

Non-Group

0.952%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Worcester, MA-CT grew by 3.43% from 2.54% to 2.63%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Worcester, MA-CT changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.