RANK #414 / 996 · POP 858,898 · MA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.0%
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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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.
Worcester County has a Boom Town Index score of 58/100, ranking #414 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.1% and a median household income of $88,524, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Worcester County is $363,200 with median rent at $1,263/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2437, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.1%. Home values changed +1.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.4% of Worcester County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.