Economic mobility—the ability to move up or down the economic ladder within a lifetime or from one generation to the next—is fundamental to the American Dream. In general, Worcester County is a relatively prosperous region, although factors related to poverty and race can make economic mobility extremely challenging for some Worcester County residents.

In 2018-22, the median household income in Worcester County was $88,500, a 5% increase from 2008-12 after inflation, slower growth than the 14% state and 11% national increase. Median incomes were substantially lower among Latino and African American households at $57,000 and $70,000 respectively. While Latino households had the lowest median income, they saw the largest increase since 2008-12 of 44%.

While the County’s overall poverty rate of 10% in 2018-22 was similar to the state and slightly lower than the nation, rates were higher among Latino (20%) and African American (16%) residents. Rates were also higher among people ages 18 to 24 (16%).

Education is significant to economic stability since 25% of residents without a high school diploma had incomes at or below the poverty level, compared to just 4% of those with at least a bachelor’s degree. Access to transportation is key to economic mobility and 9% of Worcester County residents are without a vehicle. This rate was lower than the state (12%) and on par with the nation (8%).

Federal financial assistance supports those in need. In 2018-22, 3.5% of Worcester County households (about 11,700), received federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families income, and 38% of Latino, 25% of Black, and 12% of Asian and White residents participated in SNAP, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Homeownership is an important factor for personal wealth building, economic mobility and neighborhood stability. Worcester County had greater racial and ethnic disparities in homeownership rates than the nation. In 2018-22, rates were 71% for White homeowners and 62% for Asian homeowners but 33% for both African American and Latino homeowners. Nationwide, homeownership was substantially higher among African American and Latino residents, at 43% and 49%, respectively. Additionally, 2017-21 median home values for Latino homeowners ($280,653) and African American homeowners ($294,500) were lower compared to home values for White ($323,300) and Asian ($415,000) homeowners.

The cost of housing is higher in some communities: in both Southbridge and the City of Worcester, more than 40% of housing units are costing occupants more than 30% of their income. Latinos in Worcester County paid a larger proportion of their income on rent in 2017-21: 35% of households compared to 28% of White, 27% of Black, and 22% of Asian households.

Homelessness is an ongoing concern in Worcester County. Homelessness rates have  held fairly steading since 2020, with 15 per 10,000 residents, or 1,277 homeless people counted during the annual tally in January 2002; however, the rate has declined from a high of 22 per 10,000 residents in 2014 and 2018.