Worcester County is home to nearly 863,000 residents, with small but fast-growing minority groups, a notable proportion of foreign-born residents in some local areas, and an overall aging population. Demographic trends are important to understand because they impact the economy, health care needs and outcomes, what services government and nonprofits provide, and many other local and national concerns.

The largest locality in Worcester County is the City of Worcester with 205,300 residents in 2022. Other population centers are Leominster with 43,600 people, Fitchburg with 41,500, and Shrewsbury with 39,800. The fastest growing places were Berlin, which grew 46% between 2010 and 2022, followed by Westborough and Lunenburg, both at 18% growth.

The region’s population overall has grown 8.1% since 2010, similar to the national rate of 7.9% and above the state rate of 6.6%. Growth was fastest among Latino residents, at 43%, from about 75,200 residents in 2008-12 to 107,200 in 2018-22. The African American and Asian populations increased 38% and 37% respectively. The White population decreased 3% but still makes up 78% of the County’s population with 671,300 residents. Worcester County’s growing diversity outpaced both the state and nation.

Immigration has historically been a key driver of population growth throughout the U.S. and is projected to be increasingly important in the next several decades. Overall, 13% of the County’s population was foreign-born and 21% spoke a foreign language at home. Westborough (29%), Milford (26%), and Shrewsbury (25%) had the largest proportions of foreign-born residents. The City of Worcester (38%), Milford (35%), Southbridge and Westborough (both 34%), and Shrewsbury (33%) all had more than a third of residents speaking a language other than English at home.

Like the state and nation, Worcester County’s population is aging, with the fastest growth among people ages 60-84. This group increased in size by 42% from 2008-12 to 2018-22, illustrating the need for robust social and health-related support services for aging residents to live in their homes or have access to affordable alternatives and care. The population between 20 and 39 in the County increased by 13% but the population under 20 declined by 4%.