Population 3,866 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Bay
Household size in Bay
| Period | Bay | Springfield area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.03 | 2.56 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.83 | 2.57 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.99 | 2.56 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.94 | 2.51 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.09 | −0.05 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Bay is a place of big households: 2.94 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Few Springfield neighborhoods have larger households: only two of 16.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Bay
| Period | Bay | Springfield area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.2 | 38.8 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 25.5 | 39.4 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 24.7 | 40.3 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 27.2 | 40.7 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.0 | +1.9 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 27.2, Bay is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults in their twenties. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 24.2, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change. Bay has the youngest population of any Springfield neighborhood.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Bay
| Period | Bay | Springfield area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.0% | 15.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 34.0% | 16.7% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 28.6% | 15.8% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 32.2% | 15.3% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −10.8 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Bay: 32.2% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Only one other Springfield neighborhood has a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Bay
Renters in Bay
| Period | Bay | Springfield area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 61.6% | 37.0% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 63.2% | 38.5% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 69.2% | 38.9% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 64.5% | 37.8% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Bay rent: 64.5% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 34.3% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Bay
| Period | Bay | Springfield area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.9% | 8.4% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.4% | 8.3% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.7% | 8.2% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 7.7% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 15.1% of the housing in Bay, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Only one other Springfield neighborhood has a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Bay
| Period | Bay | Springfield area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1938 | 1956 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1951 | 1956 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1954 | 1957 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1943 | 1958 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +2 | +5 | +6 |
Bay is a place of older homes: half were built before 1943, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Only one other Springfield neighborhood has older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Bay
| Period | Bay | Springfield area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $809 | $809 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $829 | $871 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $696 | $995 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,089 | $1,261 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$280 | +$452 | +$775 | +$606 |
The median renter in Bay pays $1,089 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 42.4% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Bay
Bachelor's degrees in Bay
| Period | Bay | Springfield area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 23.3% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.1% | 24.8% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 26.7% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.1% | 29.0% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +5.8 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Bay: 13.1% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Compared with other Springfield neighborhoods, Bay has a lower share of college graduates than most.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Bay
| Period | Bay | Springfield area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 67.5% | 82.4% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 75.7% | 83.3% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 75.8% | 85.2% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 70.5% | 86.7% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
About three in ten adults in Bay never finished high school, well above the national share: only 70.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Compared with other Springfield neighborhoods, Bay has a lower share of high school graduates than most.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Bay
| Period | Bay | Springfield area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.9% | 10.2% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 22.7% | 11.8% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.2% | 6.2% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 6.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −15.4 pts | −3.9 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Bay runs well above the national rate: 8.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Bay compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay | 2.94 | 27.2 | 32.2% | 64.5% | 15.1% | 1943 | $1,089 | 13.1% | 70.5% | 8.5% |
| McKnight | 3.00 | 35.0 | 27.3% | 56.2% | 10.9% | 1938 | $981 | 13.2% | 72.2% | 12.1% |
| Upper Hill | 2.83 | 31.6 | 27.8% | 57.7% | 17.6% | 1945 | $1,314 | 25.2% | 82.5% | 8.5% |
| Old Hill | 3.10 | 28.9 | 48.4% | 60.9% | 15.0% | 1944 | $1,543 | 9.3% | 60.3% | 14.0% |
| Liberty Heights | 2.83 | 33.5 | 25.1% | 51.6% | 10.8% | 1947 | $1,225 | 18.9% | 79.4% | 11.3% |
| Maple High-Six Corners | 2.51 | 31.1 | 16.6% | 78.2% | 11.8% | 1950 | $961 | 9.4% | 65.1% | 14.9% |
| Pine Point | 2.82 | 37.1 | 25.4% | 36.7% | 6.8% | 1951 | $1,487 | 21.5% | 82.3% | 7.6% |
| Metro Center | 2.00 | 32.7 | 19.4% | 93.1% | 6.9% | 1946 | $917 | 18.5% | 73.5% | 16.4% |
| East Springfield | 2.57 | 40.9 | 19.9% | 23.4% | 3.7% | 1952 | $1,266 | 16.3% | 86.8% | 3.9% |
| South End Springfield | 2.28 | 32.7 | 29.2% | 88.3% | 6.3% | 1953 | $1,026 | 16.0% | 63.3% | 13.5% |
| East Forest Park | 2.53 | 38.0 | 15.0% | 13.4% | 4.8% | 1954 | $1,607 | 34.8% | 92.1% | 4.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: East Bluff, Peoria, IL · Turtle Ridge, Irvine, CA · Tyner Homes, Bakersfield, CA · Alturas de Rio Grande, Rio Grande, PR · Alger Heights, Grand Rapids, MI · East Petaluma, Petaluma, CA · Downtown Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks, CA · Little Blue Valley, Kansas City, MO · Park City, Knoxville, TN · Parcelas Nueva Vida, Ponce, PR
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Bay. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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