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Who Lives Here
Holyoke Demographics
A Portrait of Holyoke
Holyoke is a mid-sized Pioneer Valley city of about 38,000 people, defined by its industrial history, its working-class roots, and one of the highest concentrations of Puerto Rican residents of any city in the mainland United States. It is a young, diverse, and economically challenged community with deep cultural vitality.
Population & Households
- Population (2020 Census): 38,238
- Recent estimate: about 37,600
- Land area: 22.8 square miles
- Median age: 40 years
Race & Ethnicity
- Hispanic or Latino: just over half of residents — predominantly Puerto Rican
- White (non-Hispanic): roughly 40%
- Black or African American: about 4%
- Asian & multiracial: small but growing shares
Holyoke’s Puerto Rican community grew from under 4% of the population in 1970 to more than half today — the highest share of any U.S. city outside Puerto Rico itself.
Economy & Education
- Median household income: $53,605
- Poverty rate: about 27% of residents
- Top sectors: health care, education, and retail
- Anchors: Holyoke Community College and a growing innovation district
Registered Voters
Like most of Massachusetts, the largest single bloc of Holyoke voters is unenrolled (registered with no party), while the city votes heavily Democratic in state and federal elections. Voters may enroll in a party or register as unenrolled and still vote in either party’s primary.
- Largest bloc: unenrolled / independent
- Register or check your status: Holyoke Registrar of Voters
Students
Holyoke Public Schools enroll about 4,800 students across 11 schools. The student body is roughly 80% Hispanic/Latino, with a large share of multilingual learners.
- Enrollment: ~4,800
- Full student data: Student demographics & scores
Sources
See how Holyoke fits into the wider Commonwealth &mdash and how state government shapes local life.