This is less than a one percent rise in Worcester County’s population, from 861,461 in 2020 to 862,029 in 2021.
Worcester County had the second largest population in Massachusetts in 2021.
The US Census Bureau found more than 73 percent of counties in the US saw a natural decrease in population in 2021. This is up from a 55.5 percent increase in 2020.
The Midwest suffered the most sustained population decreases, with many counties along the US East Coast and through the Rocky Mountains seeing increases.
The US population continues to grow, though at a slower rate than before.
Massachusetts Counties By Population Change from 2020 to 2021
| County | 2020 Estimated Population | 2021 Estimated Population | % Change in Population From Year to Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dukes County | 20,581 | 21,097 | 2.5% |
| Nantucket County | 14,244 | 14,491 | 1.7% |
| Barnstable County | 228,969 | 232,411 | 1.5% |
| Plymouth County | 530,979 | 533,003 | 0.4% |
| Bristol County | 579,172 | 580,164 | 0.2% |
| Worcester County | 861,461 | 862,029 | 0.1% |
| Franklin County | 70,988 | 71,015 | 0% |
| Berkshire County | 128,758 | 128,657 | -0.1% |
| Norfolk County | 726,025 | 724,505 | -0.2% |
| Essex County | 809,218 | 807,074 | -0.3% |
| Hampshire County | 162,064 | 161,572 | -0.3% |
| Hampden County | 464,908 | 462,718 | -0.5% |
| Middlesex County | 1,629,422 | 1,614,742 | -0.9% |
| Suffolk County | 795,431 | 771,245 | -3% |
ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY
Warren• Brookfield Town• Southbridge Town• City of Leominster• Town of Spencer• Sturbridge• Bolton• South Lancaster• Milford Town• New Braintree• Baldwinville• Princeton• Barre• Winchendon• Clinton• Webster Town• Hopedale• Northborough• Dudley• Westborough• North Brookfield Town• Warren Town• Millville• West Brookfield• Lunenburg• Whitinsville• Rutland Town• Milford• Grafton• Rutland• Winchendon Town• Hubbardston• Petersham• Clinton Town• Oxford• Webster• Leicester• Mendon• East Douglas• South Ashburnham• City of Fitchburg• Brookfield• Athol• Sturbridge Town• City Of Gardner• Spencer• Sterling• East Brookfield Town• Fiskdale• Upton• Cordaville• North Brookfield• West Boylston• City Of Worcester• East Brookfield• Charlton• Town Of Westborough Ma
!RECEIVE ALERTS
The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.
DONATE
Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.
Alerts Sign-up