Population 12,262 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Charlton
Household size in Charlton
| Period | Charlton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.83 | 2.59 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.81 | 2.62 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.66 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.68 | 2.56 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.15 | −0.03 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
At 2.68 people per household, Charlton sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in the wider Worcester area, where it has 2.56 people. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.83, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Charlton
| Period | Charlton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.2 | 39.1 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.5 | 39.8 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.6 | 40.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.0 | 41.1 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.8 | +2.0 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Charlton is 44.0 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 40.2 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the west, the oldest in the east.
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 Charlton
| Period | Charlton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 10.8% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.0% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.9% | 10.3% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 11.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | +0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Charlton: 8.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.5 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Charlton
Renters in Charlton
| Period | Charlton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.2% | 32.4% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.9% | 34.8% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.9% | 34.9% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 15.9% | 34.2% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 15.9% of households in Charlton rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 33.6% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 1.3 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Charlton
| Period | Charlton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.9% | 9.2% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 3.8% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 8.5% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 6.8% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.8 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Charlton: just 5.1% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 5.8 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Charlton
| Period | Charlton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1961 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1962 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1964 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1965 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Charlton are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1986, versus 1980 across the U.S. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only seven have newer 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 Charlton
| Period | Charlton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,177 | $930 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $897 | $1,008 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,291 | $1,155 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,569 | $1,549 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$393 | +$619 | +$775 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Charlton costs $1,569 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $393 a month since 2006–10, up 33%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 28.5% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the center and lowest in the northwest.
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 Charlton
Bachelor's degrees in Charlton
| Period | Charlton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.2% | 33.1% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 33.1% | 34.5% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.3% | 36.5% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 40.7% | 39.8% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.5 pts | +6.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
About four in ten adults 25 and older in Charlton (40.7%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a bit above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 5.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the southeast.
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 Charlton
| Period | Charlton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.4% | 88.4% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.9% | 89.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.0% | 90.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.8% | 90.9% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.4 pts | +2.5 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Charlton is above the national rate: 93.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 3.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Charlton
| Period | Charlton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 7.7% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 8.8% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.0% | 5.1% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.9% | 5.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Charlton has been strong: just 1.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only four of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.4 points, as it has nationally.
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).
Charlton compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlton | 2.68 | 44.0 | 8.5% | 15.9% | 5.1% | 1986 | $1,569 | 40.7% | 93.8% | 1.9% |
| Mystic Grove | 2.82 | 47.1 | 14.3% | 4.6% | 8.1% | 1983 | $1,042 | 38.5% | 94.6% | 3.1% |
| North Oxford | 2.65 | 40.4 | 8.2% | 15.2% | 2.7% | 1981 | $1,222 | 30.1% | 89.5% | 8.9% |
| Rochdale | 2.43 | 48.1 | 6.8% | 18.2% | 3.6% | 1967 | $1,575 | 29.0% | 92.3% | 1.7% |
| Oxford | 2.69 | 43.8 | 9.8% | 17.0% | 5.9% | 1965 | $1,123 | 30.5% | 92.0% | 6.0% |
| Southbridge Town | 2.50 | 38.9 | 19.9% | 57.3% | 6.4% | 1956 | $1,201 | 18.8% | 81.6% | 7.4% |
| Charlton City | 2.68 | 42.0 | 2.6% | 14.0% | 3.1% | 1985 | $1,733 | 53.4% | 94.6% | 1.1% |
| South Spencer | 2.22 | 59.1 | 3.4% | 11.0% | 5.2% | 1978 | $1,063 | 20.5% | 95.4% | 15.5% |
| Sturbridge | 2.51 | 48.9 | 3.8% | 9.9% | 8.0% | 1977 | $1,542 | 49.1% | 94.5% | 2.5% |
| Dudley | 2.64 | 41.2 | 12.2% | 26.8% | 2.2% | 1968 | $1,120 | 24.9% | 90.5% | 4.6% |
| East Brookfield | 2.36 | 52.1 | 5.6% | 16.7% | 8.4% | 1968 | $1,142 | 27.0% | 96.4% | 5.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Newport, MI · Midway City, CA · Milan, MI · Milan, TN · Millersville, PA · Mitchellville, MD · Mogadore, OH · Mount Vernon, VA · Newaygo, MI · Midland, WA
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 Charlton. 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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