Living in Milford MA is amazing! Indigenous communities lived in Milford for thousands of years until White settlers arrived in the 1600s. Quashaamit, a sachem of a local tribe, gifted a plot of land to settlers in 1662. Milford gets its name from the mill fords in the area. Milford was a small agricultural and mining community for much of its history, with people moving to Milford steadily over time.
The state government incorporated Milford as a town in 1780. Milford became a prominent mining hub in the 1800s and early 1900s, and it remains well known for its Milford pink granite. Milford today is a family-friendly suburb of Boston with a quaint atmosphere. Is Milford MA a good place to live? Yes, it’s a nice place to live, especially if you want a quiet place to live close to hiking trails and good schools.
Moving to Milford makes a lot of sense. But before you start your upcoming move, you should learn more about the details and hidden gems of living in Milford MA. Here’s what to know about this special town.
Where Is Milford?
Where is Milford, and what county is Milford in? Milford is in Worcester County, inside the Worcester, MA metropolitan area and the Boston MetroWest area. It is 19.1 miles from Milford to Worcester, and it is 30.6 miles from Milford to Boston. Milford borders Hopedale, Upton, Hopkinton, Holliston, Medway, and Bellingham. Milford contains a few geographic features, including Louisa Lake and the Charles River.
The community is mostly well-developed, particularly in the geographic center of town. It contains mostly residential cul de sacs, with only a few major attractions and commercial areas. You can find undeveloped and protected green spaces in the northern and southern sections of the community.
The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority provides bus services for residents living in Milford MA. Route 14 loops around Milford, stopping in several major locations, including Target and Trader Joe’s. Route 6 stops at Milford Crossing and stops in Framingham and other cities near Boston. The MBTA does not provide services directly to Milford, though nearby communities have stops on the Commuter Rail. Interstate 495 runs through the eastern part of the town, connecting it to nearby communities and making moving to Milford easy.
Milford Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the Milford population was 30,379 in 2020, up by 8.5% since 2010. Milford is the second-biggest town in Worcester County, and it has a bigger population than cities like Southbridge and Gardner. The Milford population density was 2,059.3 people per square mile, nearly four times the Worcester density.
Notable people living in Milford MA include William Claflin, Howie Long, and Jorge Rivera. Notable Milford demographics include:
- 52.2% male, 47.8% female
- Median age of residents living in Milford MA: 39.3
- Racial and ethnic composition of people living in Milford MA: 73.3% White (70.1% non-Hispanic), 11.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% two or more races, 4.0% Black or African American, 2.5% Asian, 0.9% American Indian and Alaska Native
- Median household income of people living in Milford MA: $92,843 (roughly 5% less than the state median income)
- Educational attainment of residents living in Milford MA: 87.1% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 34.1% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population of residents living in Milford MA: 25.9%
Milford is one of the most diverse communities in Worcester County. The rate of foreign-born residents living in Milford MA is nearly twice the county rate of foreign-born residents. Over 1,300 residents living in Milford MA were born in Brazil, and over 500 residents were born in Portugal. The rate of residents living in Milford MA who identify as two or more races is almost four times the county rate.
Milford is a very safe community to live in. Most residents living in Milford MA never encounter crime. Here are the latest crime statistics for Milford, according to the FBI in 2022:
- Overall Milford crime rate: 817 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Milford MA (68.9% lower than the Worcester crime rate, 41.3% lower than the Massachusetts rate, 64.8% lower than the national average)
- Violent Milford crime rate: 148 crimes per 100,000 people living in Milford MA (54.0% lower than the Massachusetts rate, 60.0% lower than the national rate)
- Property Milford crime rate: 669 offenses per 100,000 people living in Milford MA (37.5% lower than the Massachusetts rate, 65.8% lower than the national rate)
The Milford Police Department employs 45 sworn police officers who patrol all Milford places and respond to all emergencies affecting residents living in Milford MA.
Cost of Living in Milford
Milford cost of living statistics can be hard to find, so you can use cost of living statistics for other areas to make an estimate. The Boston cost of living index is 146.5, meaning items in the area are 46.5% higher than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $122,562 a year to cover the cost of living in Worcester County.
Child care is the largest expense, at $27,060 a year, so singles can live an affordable life in Milford. Housing is the second-largest expense, at $18,900 a year, so you can rent real estate to save money.
Milford real estate is fairly affordable, and you have options for upscale homes. According to Redfin, the median price of homes for sale Milford MA is $587,000, with a median price per square foot of $308. According to RentCafe, the average price of Milford apartments is $2,421 a month.
Typical Milford* Living Expenses
- 1 gallon of regular milk: $3.60
- 12 regular eggs: $3.72
- 1 pound of bananas: $0.69
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.29
- Average Milford* utilities per month: $156.67
- 1 pair of leather business shoes: $121.00
Source: Numbeo
*Expenses actually for Worcester
Milford Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Milford
There are no formal Milford neighborhoods. 265 homes were sold in Milford in 2023, so the Milford real estate market is active, and you will have plenty of neighbors. Most of the sold properties were single-family homes for sale Milford MA, though you can buy a vacant lot to build a home on. Homes for sale Milford MA are diverse. You can buy Colonial Revival homes from the late 1800s and contemporary properties built in the last 50 years.
Amenities and footprints vary. You can buy four-bedroom homes covering 3,200 square feet and three-bedroom homes covering 1,700 square feet. Regardless of amenities or footprints, homes in Milford usually cost between $400,000 and $600,000.
There are a few complexes for Milford apartments you can live in. Oak Ridge Village is the most affordable apartment complex, with one-bedroom Milford apartments starting at $1,950 a month. Oak Ridge Village offers pet-friendly Milford apartments with amenities like energy-efficient appliances and hardwood floors. People moving to Milford who are at least 55 years old can move into Landmark Place. Landmark Place offers 55+ apartments with decorator color schemes and other classy features.
Milford Weather and Climate
Milford has a humid continental climate with warm and partly cloudy summers and freezing and snowy winters. July is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 72 degrees and an average high of 81. Temperatures peak in late July and decline by 10 degrees in less than two months. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 27 degrees and an average low of 20. Average lows are below-freezing between late November and late March.
Milford receives 37.2 inches of rain and 39.1 inches of snow on average every year. Each month has at least seven days of precipitation. Milford can experience severe rainstorms in the summer and snowstorms in the winter, including blizzards that cause high winds and power outages. You should check the Milford weather forecast while living in Milford MA.
September is the best month for visiting and moving to Milford. September has the most sunshine of any month, with 62% clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy days. It has an average temperature of 62 degrees, so you can stay comfortable in a long-sleeved shirt and a light jacket.
Things to Do in Milford
You can find many nice things to do in Milford, including top shops and outdoor parks. Shaw’s is the top grocery store in Milford, and you can also get specialty groceries from Oliva’s Market. The top locally run stores include Frank’s Appliance Service and Big Y World Class Market.
Casey Pool
The Casey Pool is a public swimming pool that’s free and open to the public during the summer. It’s a kid-friendly and wheelchair-accessible outdoor attraction you can visit during weekdays or weekends.
41 Prospect Street, Milford, MA, 01757
St Mary’s Catholic Church
St Mary’s Catholic Church (also known as Saint Mary of the Assumption) is the top Catholic church in the Milford area. You can visit family-friendly services throughout the week. The church manages St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, which contains the only Irish round tower in the United States.
17 Winter Street, Milford, MA, 01757, 508-473-2000
Pinz Bowl
Pinz Bowl is a kid-friendly entertainment center with bowling alleys, axe-throwing lanes, and a redemption arcade. It’s the top indoor destination for birthday parties and special events in Milford.
110 South Main Street, Milford, MA, 01757, 508-473-6611
Additional Things to Do in Milford
The Milford Parks Department protects all public spaces and parks in the Milford area. The department also plans special events throughout the year, including holiday events. You can use the Milford events calendar to see when these events are coming.
Milford Restaurants
The Worcester area is well known for its diverse cuisine, with pizzerias, Chinese restaurants, bars, and other fun places. You can find a range of culinary experiences at Milford restaurants, including top family-friendly and romantic destinations.
Red Heat Tavern
The Red Heat Tavern is a casual restaurant that serves comfort food, including classic dishes like hamburgers and chicken wings. The tavern serves a range of wines and beers, including zero-proof drinks and mocktails.
124 Medway Road, Milford, MA, 01757, 774-462-5990
Sky Buffet
Sky Buffet is the largest buffet in the Medford area. You can enjoy dozens of different American and Asian dishes, including sushi, fresh seafood, and steaks.
340 East Main Street, Milford, MA, 01757, 508-478-8878
Depot Street Tavern
Depot Street Tavern is a romantic tavern that’s suitable for dates and meetings with clients. It’s also the top restaurant in Milford for breakfast, and you can enjoy omelets, breakfast burritos, and other treats.
45 Depot Street, Milford, MA, 01757, 508-488-6844
Jobs in Milford MA
15,103 people have Milford jobs, up by 18.3% since 2013. Construction is the largest job sector in Milford, with 14.8% of residents living in Milford MA working in construction. Healthcare and retail trade are the second and third biggest sectors. 13% of residents living in Milford MA work in management occupations with median earnings of $178,000 a year.
According to Payscale, Milford jobs have a median salary of $83,000 a year and an average hourly rate of $25.75. Major Milford employers include Walmart, Amazon, and Milford Regional Medical Center. You can research jobs in Milford MA, using Indeed and apply for Town of Milford jobs on the town government’s website.
Milford Schools
Milford Public Schools is the official Milford school district, serving all residents living in Milford MA. The school district has six schools:
- Shining Star Early Childhood Center, a preschool
- Brookside Elementary School, a K-2 school
- Memorial Elementary School, a K-2 school
- Woodland Elementary School, a 3-5 school
- Stacy Middle School, a 6-8 school
- Milford High School, a 9-12 school
US News ranks Milford High School in the top 250 high schools in Massachusetts. 61% of Milford High School students test at or above the proficiency level in reading.
There are no notable private schools, colleges, or universities in Milford. The Milford Town Library serves all residents living in Milford MA.
Milford Statistics and Information
- County: Worcester County
- Milford area: 14.9 square miles
- Milford zip code: 01757
- Milford area code: 508 and 774
- Milford elevation: 307 feet
- Milford time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Milford: Logan Airport (BOS), 32.9 miles from Milford
Milford Map
You can use this Milford map to find nightlife, amenities, and restaurants in Milford and around Milford.
Start Living in Milford MA Today
Living in Milford MA will make you feel like a million dollars! You and your kids can enjoy great restaurants, fun things to do, and upscale homes in a safe community.
Moving to Milford isn’t tricky, especially if you hire top Milford movers. Mass Bay Movers is the most experienced Milford moving company, performing over 2,000 moves a year. Call 978-587-3775 for a free estimate now!
