Worcester, nicknamed the “City of the Seven Hills”, is a city in Massachusetts, and is the county seat of Worcester County. Worcester is known primarily for its vast swathes of beautiful Victorian architecture, and prevalence of ‘50s style “lunch car diners”, both of which give this city a unique feel. It is also known for being the most notable community in central Massachusetts. Worcester, named for the city in England, first developed around the Blackstone Canal in the 19th century, primarily as an industrial community. In an inverse of what typically happened to American cities after World War II, Worcester began to decline industrially and population-wise. This was reversed in the 1990s after a significant project of urban renewal, bringing in business and people. Worcester today is a good place to live for those looking for economic opportunity in a beautiful city, and it’s no wonder why so many are moving to Worcester!
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Table of Contents
Where is Worcester, MA?
Worcester is in Worcester County (go figure!), among a network of lakes and reservoirs, no further than 20 miles from the southern border with Connecticut. Worcester has distant neighbors in Northborough and Marlborough to the east and Springfield far to the west. The distance from Worcester, MA to Boston, MA is 47 miles.
Worcester, MA Population & Demographics
The population of Worcester is 205,918 distributed over 38 miles at a population density of about 4,900 people per square mile. The median age here is 34.6, and 21% of residents are foreign born, 30% of whom come from Latin America. 31% of Worcester’s population has a bachelor’s degree or higher certification. Worcester’s population has shrunk by 0.3% since 2010.
The demographics of Worcester’s population are fairly diverse, with Whites making up 54% of the city’s population. The second largest demographic is Hispanics, at 23%. Worcester’s male/female gender ratio is slightly skewed towards women, at 51%.
Notable people from Worcester include actor and comedian Denis Leary, WWE wrestler Ken Doane, and actor Sam Seder.
Is Worcester, MA safe? In general, Worcester is a safe place to live, but that comes with a few caveats. Worcester’s overall crime rate is 8% higher than national average, with 2,680 crimes annually per 100,000 people. The property crime rate is 3% lower than the national average, while the violent crime rate is 72% higher – that sounds bad, but keep in mind that these are proportional, and in actuality, the entire city of Worcester only experienced 13 murders in 2021. The city of Worcester is served by the Worcester Police Department, which is staffed by 456 active duty officers.
Cost of Living in Worcester, MA
While generally affordable for Massachusetts, the general priceyness of the state makes the cost of living in Worcester higher than average. The cost of living index for Worcester is 17% higher than the national average, according to Payscale. The median home price in Worcester is $241,800, which is about three-fifths the average Massachusetts home price of $398,800. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Worcester is $1,586 per month.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four will need a yearly income of $100,645 to live here.
If you want to make yourself a part of this community, you should check out the latest listings for homes for sale in Worcester, MA.
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Worcester, MA Everyday Expenses
Need to know what you’ll be paying for everyday goods, like groceries or utility bills, in Worcester? Check out these everyday expenses for Worcester, provided by Numbeo.
- Gallon of Milk – $3.54
- Loaf of Bread – $2.39
- Gallon of Gasoline – $4.82
- Average Worcester Utilities per Month – $174.73
- Internet per Month – $65.71
Worcester, MA Neighborhoods
A city as big as Worcester has plenty of excellent neighborhoods to choose from when moving to the area! Take a look at some of the best neighborhoods in Worcester, Massachusetts below:
Indian Hill – Residential, historic, great for families
Indian Hill is among the largest planned communities in the Worcester area. First built in the 1910s as housing for workers in the city, it now serves much the same purpose, providing great housing for those who work in Worcester!
Grafton Hill – Great real estate atop one of the seven hills
Originally known as Sagatabscot Hill, Grafton Hill is a residential neighborhood in the south-east of Worcester. It is built atop one of Worcester’s seven hills, and provides great value real estate for those looking to settle down.
Main South – Financial neighborhood for business types
Main South is a neighborhood set upon one of the main roads through Worcester, allowing it to flourish as a place of business. If you’re looking for economic opportunity, and are alright with getting right into the heart of the city, Main South is for you!
Worcester, MA Climate & Weather
According to the Koppen Climate Classification, Worcester is a humid subtropical climate. Worcester is pretty typical of Massachusetts – expect lots of rain and snow. You can expect lows of 14 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months, and highs of 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Worcester gets more than the average amount of rainfall when compared with the rest of the United States, with 48 inches per year as compared to 38. Worcester also experiences a larger amount of snowfall than the national average of 28 inches, with 51 inches annually. The best times to visit Worcester, in terms of comfort rating, are July and August.
Worcester is not generally subject to extreme weather events, but has been known to be hit occasionally by tornados and some remnants of hurricanes from down south.
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Things to Do in Worcester, MA
Want to know about the best things to do in Worcester, MA? Check out great shopping near and in the community like the Lincoln Plaza or the Worcester Fair for all your shopping needs! You should also check out some of the best things to do in Worcester, MA below:
Ecotarium
Interested in ecology? Ecotarium is a great way to get your kids interested in it, too! This kid-focused ecological museum has indoor and outdoor exhibits, and is a Worcester attraction that’s fun for all ages!
Ecotarium, 222 Harrington Way, Worcester, MA 01604, (508) 929-2700
Green Hill Park
Want to spend a relaxing day outdoors while living in Worcester? Green Hill Park is 480 acres of outdoor joy, with sports fields, playgrounds, walking trails, and even a petting zoo and a golf course!
Green Hill Park, 50 Officer Manny Familia Wy, Worcester, MA 01605, (508) 799-1190
Worcester Art Museum
Hosting art pieces from ancient to contemporary, from all over the world, the Worcester Art Museum is a true treat to visit. European master works and a large collection of Gothic pieces are just a few of what this excellent museum has to offer!
Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA 01609, (508) 799-4406
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Worcester, MA Additional Attractions:
Worcester is served by the Worcester parks & recreation department. See all the events that are planned in Worcester with the Worcester community calendar.
Places to Eat in Worcester, MA
Alongside its host of things to do, Worcester is also home to plenty of great eats! Check out some of the best places to eat in Worcester, Massachusetts below:
The Boynton
A favorite amongst Worcester locals, and for good reason! This restaurant offers classic American eats of all different shapes and sizes, as well as excellent drinks and plenty of TVs for entertainment.
The Boynton, 117 Highland St, Worcester, MA 01609, (508) 756-8458
O’Connor’s
Half-bar, half-restaurant, an Italian-themed restaurant with an Irish name – O’Connor’s is full of contradictions, but the food here is fantastic, and keeps Worcester residents coming back! All the classic comfort fare and excellent drinks are served here.
O’Connor’s, 1160 W Boylston St, Worcester, MA 01606, (508) 853-0789
Mezcal Cantina
This upscale Mexican restaurant and bar offers all sorts of interesting items. From drinks from Central America to made-to-order guacamole, Mezcal draws in so many Worcester locals for a reason.
Mezcal Cantina, 30 Major Taylor Blvd, Worcester, MA 01608, (508) 926-8308
Worcester, MA Schools & Colleges
Worcester is served by the Worcester School District. Notable local schools in the area include the West Tatnuck Elementary, Forest Grove Middle School, and the Worcester Technical High School. The city of Worcester has plenty more schools where that came from, and also has 21 private schools for primary and secondary education.
It should also be noted that Worcester has 8 college campuses within city limits, the most notable of which are the College of the Holy Cross, the Clark University, the Worcester State University, and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Students and others in Worcester are served by the Worcester Public Library.
Jobs in Worcester, MA
As a city with a strong background in industry and business, you won’t struggle to find a great job in Worcester! According to Payscale, the most popular positions of employment are Operations Manager, Software Engineer, and Director of Operations. The most popular employers in Worcester are The Hanover Insurance Company, Jabil Circuit, Inc., and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The average salary for a worker in Worcester is $69k a year, while the average hourly wage is $20.59.
See the latest openings for jobs in Worcester here.
Map of Worcester, MA
Explore Worcester’s large variety of things to do, places to eat, and more with this map!
Worcester, MA Statistics & Information
- Located in Worcester County
- 38 square miles
- Zip code: 01601–01610, 01612–01615, 01653–01655
- Area code: 508, 774
- Elevation: 480’
- Time zone: EST
- Closest airport: Worcester Regional Airport, 749F+6F Worcester, Massachusetts, 4 miles from Worcester’s city center
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