RANK #707 / 996 NAT · #8 / 12 MA · POP 858,898
1YR FORECAST: +1.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Worcester County, Massachusetts, stands out for its blend of urban amenities and natural landscapes, with the city of Worcester at its core. Worcester, the second-largest city in New England, is roughly 50 minutes west of Boston and north of Providence, Rhode Island. Commute options include the MBTA commuter rail, offering a "Heart to Hub" express train to Boston that significantly reduces travel time. The county offers extensive outdoor recreation, including over 60 parks and 200 miles of trails, with notable spots like Green Hill Park, Elm Park, and Broad Meadow Brook, New England's largest urban wildlife sanctuary. Mount Wachusett provides hiking and skiing opportunities.
Life in Worcester County offers a balance of city and countryside, attracting families and professionals. The public schools in Worcester County are above average, with districts like Shrewsbury and Westborough recognized for their quality. The economy is experiencing growth, particularly in sectors such as healthcare and life sciences, driven by institutions like UMass Chan Medical School. There is also significant investment in advanced manufacturing and logistics, with new industrial campuses under development. The county's diverse communities and accessible natural areas contribute to its appeal.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Battery Storage (204 MW)
Undisclosed
|
$204M | Planned |
|
Municipal Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Project
City of Worcester
|
$115M | Completed |
|
Worcester Resiliency Upgrade Project (LNG Storage Facility)
Eastern Shore Natural Gas
|
$80M | Under Construction |
|
GreenTech Park
Worcester Business Development Corporation (WBDC)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Curtis Apartments Redevelopment
Worcester Housing Authority (WHA) & Trinity Financial
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Lakeside Apartments Redevelopment (Phase 1)
Worcester Housing Authority (WHA), E3 Development, Tremont Development Partners
|
$38M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 28/100, Worcester County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $88,524 combined with job growth of +0.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Worcester County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $363,200 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,263/month on average.
Population and employment in Worcester County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs +0.1%. Home values shifted +1.3% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.4% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Worcester County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.