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Worcester County, Massachusetts - Wikipedia

County in Massachusetts, United States

County in Massachusetts

Worcester County

Worcester County Courthouse

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Location within the U.S. state of

Massachusetts

Massachusetts's location within the

U.S. Coordinates: 42°21′N 71°55′W / 42.35°N 71.91°W / 42.35; -71.91 Country  United States State Massachusetts Founded April 2, 1731 Named after Worcester, Massachusetts Seat Worcester Largest city Worcester

 • Total

1,579 sq mi (4,090 km2)  • Land 1,511 sq mi (3,910 km2)  • Water 68 sq mi (180 km2)

 • Total

862,111  • Density 570.7/sq mi (220.3/km2) Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)  • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT) Congressional districts 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Mount Wachusett, the highest point in Worcester County

Worcester County ( WUU-stər) is a county in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. At the 2020 census, the population was 862,111, making it the second-most populous county in Massachusetts. Being 1,510.6 square miles of land area, it is the largest county in Massachusetts by geographic area.[1] The largest city and traditional shire town is Worcester.[2] Worcester County is part of the Worcester, MA–CT metropolitan statistical area and the Boston-Worcester-Providence combined statistical area.

Worcester County was formed from the eastern portion of colonial Hampshire County, the western portion of the original Middlesex County and the extreme western portion of the original Suffolk County.[3] When the government of Worcester County was established on April 2, 1731, Worcester was chosen as its shire town (later known as a county seat). From that date until the dissolution of the county government, it was the only county seat. Because of the size of the county, there were fifteen attempts over 140 years to split the county into two counties, but without success.

Initially, Lancaster was proposed as the seat of the northern county; later, Petersham was proposed once and Fitchburg was proposed repeatedly, most recently in 1903. Perhaps as a concession, in August 1884 the Worcester County Registry of Deeds was split in two, with the Worcester Northern registry placed in Fitchburg.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,579 square miles (4,090 km2), of which 1,511 square miles (3,910 km2) is land and 68 square miles (180 km2) (4.3%) is water.[4]

It is the largest county in Massachusetts by area. The county is larger geographically than the entire state of Rhode Island even including Rhode Island's water ocean limit boundaries. The county constitutes Central Massachusetts, separating the Greater Springfield area from the Greater Boston area. It stretches from the northern to the southern border of the state. The geographic center of Massachusetts is in Rutland.[5]

Worcester County is one of two Massachusetts counties that borders three different neighboring states; (New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island); the other being Berkshire County. They are also the only two counties to touch both the northern and southern state lines.

National protected areas[edit] Historical population Census Pop. Note %± 1790 56,764 — 1800 61,192 7.8% 1810 64,910 6.1% 1820 73,625 13.4% 1830 84,355 14.6% 1840 95,313 13.0% 1850 130,789 37.2% 1860 159,659 22.1% 1870 192,716 20.7% 1880 226,897 17.7% 1890 280,787 23.8% 1900 346,958 23.6% 1910 399,657 15.2% 1920 455,135 13.9% 1930 491,242 7.9% 1940 504,470 2.7% 1950 546,401 8.3% 1960 583,228 6.7% 1970 637,969 9.4% 1980 646,352 1.3% 1990 709,705 9.8% 2000 750,963 5.8% 2010 798,552 6.3% 2020 862,111 8.0% 2024 (est.) 881,248 [6] 2.2%

As of the 2020 census, 862,111 people resided in Worcester County.[13]

At the 2000 census, there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families in the county. The population density was 496 inhabitants per square mile (192/km2). There were 298,159 housing units at an average density of 197 per square mile (76/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.61% White, 2.73% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 2.62% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.93% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. 6.77%.[14] were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 15.9% were of Irish, 12.3% Italian, 11.7% French, 8.0% French Canadian, 8.0% English, 5.6% Polish and 5.0% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 85.1% spoke English, 6.1% Spanish and 1.9% French as their first language.

Of the 283,927 households, 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 26.20% of households were one person and 10.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.11.

The age distribution was 25.60% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median household income was $47,874 and the median family income was $58,394. Males had a median income of $42,261 versus $30,516 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,983. About 6.80% of families and 9.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.30% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

At the 2010 census, there were 798,552 people, 303,080 households, and 202,602 families in the county.[15] The population density was 528.6 inhabitants per square mile (204.1/km2). There were 326,788 housing units at an average density of 216.3 per square mile (83.5/km2).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 85.6% white, 4.2% black or African American, 4.0% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 3.6% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 9.4% of the population.[15] In terms of ancestry, 22.2% were Irish, 15.1% were French as well as 6.7% French Canadians, 14.4% were Italian, 11.7% were English, 7.0% were Polish, 6.9% were German, and 3.2% were American.[17]

Of the 303,080 households, 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.2% were non-families, and 26.2% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age was 39.2 years.[15]

The median household income was $64,152 and the median family income was $79,121. Males had a median income of $56,880 versus $42,223 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,557. About 6.9% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.[18]

Population density of Worcester County by census block (2020)[19] Demographic breakdown by town[edit]

The ranking of unincorporated communities that are included on the list are reflective of the census designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns. Data is from the 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.[20][21][22]

Rank Town Per capita
income Median
household
income Median
family
income Population Number of
households 1 Southborough Town $57,436 $142,520 $161,419 9,671 3,285 2 Bolton Town $52,282 $137,120 $149,120 4,827 1,583 3 Boylston Town $52,129 $91,734 $110,321 4,320 1,676 Cordaville CDP $51,707 $151,836 $175,217 2,558 845 4 Harvard Town $50,971 $142,411 $161,250 6,483 1,822 5 Northborough Town $47,953 $104,420 $122,592 14,180 5,114 6 Westborough Town $46,631 $99,394 $127,052 18,285 6,720 7 Sterling Town $44,089 $102,270 $117,240 7,768 2,811 8 Princeton Town $43,836 $108,319 $123,864 3,412 1,253 9 Sutton Town $43,275 $107,500 $116,288 8,908 3,128 10 Upton Town $43,252 $110,083 $132,703 7,364 2,588 11 Berlin Town $41,503 $94,712 $99,375 2,819 1,029 Sturbridge CDP $41,479 $77,692 $93,167 2,027 860 Westborough CDP $40,901 $71,731 $87,375 3,883 1,590 12 Mendon Town $40,523 $93,245 $108,173 5,787 2,055 13 Hopedale Town $40,422 $98,220 $104,398 5,909 2,275 Barre CDP $39,556 $77,602 $102,650 1,053 418 14 Grafton Town $39,479 $89,950 $109,729 17,472 6,376 Northborough CDP $39,266 $89,033 $108,636 6,226 2,381 Hopedale CDP $38,687 $88,974 $101,280 3,947 1,590 15 Holden Town $38,639 $89,660 $104,928 17,197 6,296 16 Shrewsbury Town $38,223 $88,985 $104,035 35,269 13,095 17 Sturbridge Town $37,480 $79,044 $98,693 9,133 3,655 18 Paxton Town $37,328 $105,072 $106,625 4,767 1,591 Upton CDP $37,247 $92,676 $120,962 2,867 1,099 19 Douglas Town $35,931 $81,000 $97,383 8,342 3,206 20 Lunenburg Town $35,868 $83,265 $95,000 10,034 3,728 Massachusetts State $35,051 $65,981 $83,371 6,512,227 2,522,409 Lunenburg CDP $34,770 $73,750 $79,750 1,217 470 21 Lancaster Town $34,374 $87,962 $101,196 7,896 2,426 22 Uxbridge Town $34,346 $86,912 $94,830 13,233 4,931 23 Barre Town $33,647 $73,687 $93,250 5,383 2,065 24 Millbury Town $33,467 $77,883 $86,855 13,250 5,166 25 Auburn Town $33,447 $73,559 $87,958 16,183 6,318 26 Charlton Town $33,250 $91,653 $98,789 12,827 4,306 27 Blackstone Town $32,988 $73,586 $87,752 9,028 3,472 South Lancaster CDP $32,942 $70,625 $81,167 1,988 766 28 Ashburnham Town $32,880 $81,842 $98,056 6,033 2,184 29 Hubbardston Town $32,618 $83,333 $95,203 4,341 1,538 30 New Braintree Town $32,568 $88,571 $93,458 1,124 380 31 Milford Town $32,219 $64,860 $80,127 27,925 10,493 32 Royalston Town $32,031 $59,609 $73,125 1,058 455 33 Hardwick Town $31,974 $61,298 $72,458 2,953 1,153 Worcester County County $31,470 $65,772 $81,342 794,981 299,089 34 Westminster Town $31,391 $78,632 $82,596 7,250 2,611 East Brookfield CDP $31,316 $66,339 $84,550 1,270 479 35 Oakham Town $31,237 $79,700 $83,676 1,822 680 36 Rutland Town $30,961 $83,734 $101,486 7,812 2,558 37 Northbridge Town $30,945 $68,981 $87,359 15,475 5,538 Milford CDP $30,678 $60,840 $72,927 25,194 9,494 38 Clinton Town $30,563 $61,796 $77,964 13,614 5,672 39 Leicester Town $30,301 $72,471 $80,288 10,934 3,858 Fiskdale CDP $30,230 $75,655 $89,595 2,907 1,133 40 Oxford Town $30,149 $68,567 $83,161 13,702 5,343 41 North Brookfield Town $30,106 $64,009 $76,690 4,686 1,931 42 West Brookfield Town $29,782 $62,685 $84,868 3,730 1,488 East Douglas CDP $29,760 $73,372 $74,828 2,835 1,146 43 Spencer Town $29,687 $59,420 $77,384 11,715 4,686 44 East Brookfield Town $29,416 $62,350 $82,750 2,058 737 45 Brookfield Town $29,392 $62,390 $77,993 3,363 1,353 46 Millville Town $29,049 $73,426 $84,000 3,154 1,060 West Brookfield CDP $28,704 $56,625 $95,556 1,853 705 47 West Boylston Town $28,547 $73,600 $89,681 7,660 2,308 48 Leominster City $28,445 $58,585 $73,704 40,884 16,095 49 Phillipston Town $28,273 $74,043 $75,234 1,894 648 North Brookfield CDP $28,163 $50,346 $64,181 2,035 912 50 Warren Town $28,112 $51,188 $69,873 5,106 2,067 Oxford CDP $27,990 $67,054 $79,832 6,566 2,418 United States Country $27,915 $52,762 $64,293 306,603,772 114,761,359 South Ashburnham CDP $27,758 $76,932 $77,386 1,104 345 51 Petersham Town $27,475 $65,781 $81,250 1,263 445 52 Webster Town $27,430 $49,621 $65,204 16,752 7,344 53 Dudley Town $27,319 $72,500 $78,920 11,276 3,780 Whitinsville CDP $27,135 $58,846 $62,314 6,894 2,424 Spencer CDP $27,059 $47,183 $66,932 5,392 2,417 54 Templeton Town $26,891 $70,116 $75,753 7,896 2,846 Baldwinville CDP $26,585 $66,700 $77,061 2,061 750 Clinton CDP $26,256 $54,514 $72,859 7,492 3,032 Rutland CDP $25,987 $62,500 $78,929 2,352 758 55 Winchendon Town $25,845 $58,137 $73,162 10,250 3,743 Warren CDP $25,245 $41,200 $71,722 1,408 564 56 Gardner City $24,974 $48,108 $63,413 20,323 8,037 57 Worcester City $24,544 $45,846 $55,927 180,519 70,248 58 Athol Town $24,384 $50,866 $59,095 11,576 4,551 Webster CDP $24,109 $43,702 $53,145 11,682 5,195 59 Fitchburg City $24,061 $48,064 $55,293 40,286 14,741 60 Southbridge City $21,923 $43,965 $52,577 16,800 6,548 Winchendon CDP $21,914 $36,711 $52,868 3,860 1,638 Athol CDP $21,553 $47,330 $52,139 7,867 3,150 Devens CDP $13,933 $72,986 $73,194 1,704 113 Government and politics[edit]

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (May 2016)

Worcester County is one of the 8[23] (of the total of 14) Massachusetts counties that have had no county government or county commissioners since July 1, 1998, when county functions were assumed by state agencies at local option[clarification needed] following a change in state law.[24] The county has an elected county sheriff, county prosecutor, and court officials, administered under the state department of public safety. The state correctional system in the county is known as the Worcester County Jail or "House of Corrections" at West Boylston, and the Worcester County District courts (state administered) are housed at Worcester, Fitchburg, and other district courts within county boundaries.[24] The Worcester County district attorney is a county-wide position even though the district includes one town from a neighboring county. In Massachusetts, Sheriffs have more limited roles than most states and are responsible for corrections, court service and bailiffs and jail release programs.[24] County Sheriffs in Massachusetts are elected to six-year terms.[24] The Worcester County Sheriff is Lewis Evangelidis (R), and the Worcester County District Attorney is Joseph Early Jr. (D) (see the info-box for elected officials at county level). The Worcester County Conservation District has countywide boundaries.[25] The county has a regional planning commission.

Massachusetts law allows regional compacts, traditional counties and other governmental entities.[24] Traditional County governments in the state include Norfolk, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth Counties. Barnstable County, which is Cape Cod, functions as a modern regional county government. Suffolk County, which is mainly Boston, is under the Boston City Council. The Massachusetts General Laws describe this relationship of county government and the options for abolishing county governments and/or chartering regional governmental compacts in subchapter 34 B.[24] Four other new county compacts have been created by the state legislature in Hampshire, Franklin, Barnstable Counties, and a regional planning council level for Berkshire County. Thus 9 of 14 Counties have some form of county regional governments. Worcester County could exercise that option if it chooses, such as for public safety and/or preparedness due to its rather large geography, by a request to and a special act of the legislature, by local referendum, or by one of three mechanisms. See the references for the state statute, and the League of Women Voters link.

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 17, 2018[26] Party Number of voters Percentage Democratic 142,910 26.10% Republican 66,689 12.18% Unenrolled 329,232 60.12% Minor Parties 2,231 0.41% Total 547,585 100% The entire area of Worcester County is incorporated into cities and towns. The U.S. census also defines places inside one or more towns for statistical purposes. On this map, cities are shaded in gray. Census-designated places[edit] Other unincorporated communities[edit]
  1. ^ Bureau, U.S. Census. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, embracing a comprehensive history of the county from its first settlement to the present time". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  5. ^ "MassGIS (Bureau of Geographic Information)". Mass.gov. June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 27, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  12. ^ "2020 Census Demographic Data Map Viewer". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Worcester County, Massachusetts". Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  16. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  17. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  18. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  19. ^ TIGER/Line Shapefile, 2020, State, Massachusetts, 2020 Census Block, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division, Spatial Data Collection and Products Branch (Point of Contact), retrieved May 22, 2025
  20. ^ "SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  21. ^ "ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  22. ^ "HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  23. ^ "General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 34B. Abolition of County Government". Massachusetts General Court. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  24. ^ a b c d e f Mass. Gen. L. c. 34B
  25. ^ "Worcester County Conservation District". Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  26. ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 17, 2018" (PDF). Massachusetts Elections Division. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  27. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  28. ^ Dempsey, James (March 4, 1992). "Many Changes Since Tupper Started Ware". Worcester Telegram and Gazette. Retrieved August 11, 2011.

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42°21′N 71°55′W / 42.35°N 71.91°W / 42.35; -71.91

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