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Demographics

A Portrait of Worcester

Worcester is the second-largest city in New England and one of the most diverse in Massachusetts. A historic manufacturing and college city, it has grown strongly over the past decade and is home to large immigrant communities from Latin America, Southeast Asia, West Africa, and beyond. Figures below are from the U.S. Census Bureau; follow the source links for the latest.

Population & Households

  • Population (2020 Census): 206,518
  • Land area: about 37.6 sq mi
  • Density: ~5,500 / sq mi
  • Median age: ~33.9 years
  • Foreign-born: ~22% of residents
  • Homeownership: ~43% of units

Race & Ethnicity

  • White: ~49%
  • Hispanic or Latino (any race): ~25%
  • Black or African American: ~12%
  • Asian: ~7%
  • Two or more races: a growing share
  • Languages spoken: dozens, district-wide

Economy & Education

  • Median household income: ~$70,100
  • Poverty rate: ~19.6%
  • Top sectors: health care, education, manufacturing, retail
  • Median age: young, shaped by its colleges
  • Higher ed: Holy Cross, WPI, Clark, Worcester State, Assumption, MCPHS, UMass Chan, QCC
  • Major employers: UMass Memorial Health, the city, area colleges

Registered Voters

Massachusetts publishes voter-registration counts by city through the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Worcester’s enrollment divides among Democrats, Republicans, and Unenrolled (independent) voters — the largest group statewide.

  • Total registered: [VERIFY — SoS]
  • Dem / Rep / Unenrolled: [VERIFY — SoS]

See how Worcester fits into the broader Commonwealth.

Massachusetts Demographics