WORCESTER – The Worcester City Council Economic Development Committee will take up a report the Worcester Regional Research Bureau (WRRB) published in September 2023. The WRRB submitted the report to city council soon after it was published. City Council sent the report to the Economic Development Committee, where it has sat since.
The report, “Reinventing Worcester: Changes in the Community and the Economy over the Decades through Decennial Census Data,” applies US Census data collected every 10 years to show how Worcester has changed since 1990 in population, demographics, and earnings of city residents.
SEE: Forbes: Worcester 3rd Worst Market for Housing Renters in US
Population of Worcester 1900 – 2020
In the 2020 census, the population of Worcester reached its highest level, at 206,518 residents. The previous high in population captured by the census was 1950, when the population of Worcester reached 203,486. By 1980, the population had dropped to 161,799, the lowest since 1910. From 1980 to 2010, the population increased to 181,045. The city added over 25,000 residents from 2010 to 2020.
Worcester Age Distribution 1990 – 2020
With the increase of the city’s population over the last 30 years, the number in most age groups increasing isn’t a surprise. Only two age groups have decreased in numbers: those under five years old, and those from 75 to 84 years old. The largest increases occured from 45 to 64, where the two groups grew a combined 77.91 percent.
Income, Adjusted for Inflation, Expressed in 2022 dollars
In this table, all figures have been adjusted for inflation to the value of the dollar in 2022. While Worcester residents have seen some increases in the value of their earnings, Worcester remains in the bottom five percent of the state for household median income and per-capital income. Combined with the Worceser Metro Area housing market, recently found to be the third worst of the 75 largest metro areas in the US.
Worcester Industry Distribution
Of the 11 major industry catagories in Worcester, eight have seen declines since 1990. The service sector has nore than doubled, while the construction indistry increased by over 75 percent.
Worcester Occupation Distributions, 1990 – 2020
Below, find the distribution of occupations in Worcester since 1990. Three of five sectors saw increases.
The full WRRB report, which includes additional metrics, is available on its website.
