Population 41,764 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Fitchburg
Household size in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.58 | 2.59 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.61 | 2.62 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.62 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.48 | 2.56 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.10 | −0.03 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Fitchburg has 2.48 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.58, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the east.
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 Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.2 | 39.1 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.2 | 39.8 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.8 | 40.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.8 | 41.1 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.6 | +2.0 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Fitchburg is 36.8 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.2, in line with the national trend. Only 13 of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people are younger.
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 Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.4% | 10.8% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.6% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.5% | 10.3% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.0% | 11.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | +0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Fitchburg: 17.0% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is up 1.7 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 12 have 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 Fitchburg
Renters in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.0% | 32.4% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 45.3% | 34.8% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.5% | 34.9% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 46.0% | 34.2% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Fitchburg than nationally: 46.0% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 33.0% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the north; owners are most common in the southwest. The renter share has risen 3.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.7% | 9.2% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.0% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.8% | 8.5% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.1% | 6.8% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −7.6 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Fitchburg: 7.1% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. That is in line with the rest of the Worcester area. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 7.6 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 Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1950 | 1961 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1953 | 1962 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1952 | 1964 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1952 | 1965 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Fitchburg is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1952, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the center has the oldest housing. Fitchburg has older homes than the great majority of Massachusetts cities.
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 Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $879 | $930 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $933 | $1,008 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,062 | $1,155 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,281 | $1,549 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$402 | +$619 | +$775 | +$606 |
Rent in Fitchburg runs $1,281 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $402 a month from 2006–10, a 46% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.7% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the north; the highest are in the center.
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 Fitchburg
Bachelor's degrees in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.1% | 33.1% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.2% | 34.5% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.8% | 36.5% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.7% | 39.8% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.6 pts | +6.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Fitchburg have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 24.7%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 4.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 19 have a lower share of college graduates.
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 Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.9% | 88.4% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 82.4% | 89.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.7% | 90.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.8% | 90.9% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +2.5 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in eight adults in Fitchburg never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 2.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 18 have a lower share of high school graduates.
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 Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 7.7% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.8% | 8.8% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.9% | 5.1% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 5.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Fitchburg: 6.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 4.1 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. 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).
Fitchburg 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitchburg | 2.48 | 36.8 | 17.0% | 46.0% | 7.1% | 1952 | $1,281 | 24.7% | 86.8% | 6.6% |
| Lunenburg | 2.52 | 43.4 | 9.5% | 19.7% | 3.7% | 1973 | $1,734 | 44.4% | 95.5% | 5.2% |
| Leominster | 2.43 | 44.3 | 9.3% | 37.8% | 5.8% | 1969 | $1,311 | 33.9% | 90.1% | 6.5% |
| Westminster | 2.61 | 45.7 | 5.8% | 12.3% | 6.9% | 1978 | $1,934 | 48.8% | 95.1% | 3.1% |
| Ashby | 2.53 | 49.5 | 2.7% | 4.4% | 4.7% | 1970 | $1,235 | 44.3% | 92.2% | 4.7% |
| West Townsend | 2.77 | 43.2 | 7.1% | 19.8% | 2.1% | 1977 | $1,791 | 33.5% | 96.3% | 10.0% |
| Leino Park | 2.44 | 59.9 | 8.5% | 17.4% | 7.3% | 1981 | $2,139 | 56.1% | 97.9% | 1.3% |
| Ashburnham | 2.80 | 40.9 | 15.1% | 4.3% | 21.2% | 1967 | $1,805 | 40.0% | 94.1% | 3.7% |
| Townsend | 2.68 | 42.2 | 9.5% | 17.3% | 3.4% | 1974 | $1,917 | 36.9% | 94.3% | 5.5% |
| Shirley | 2.47 | 41.9 | 7.7% | 22.0% | 7.1% | 1970 | $1,594 | 37.3% | 89.0% | 4.6% |
| Townsend Harbor | 2.83 | 42.3 | 6.8% | 8.2% | 3.0% | 1986 | $2,247 | 52.9% | 97.4% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Beverly Hills, CA · Buffalo Grove, IL · Burke, VA · Canonsburg, PA · Plymouth, MI · Los Gatos, CA · Perrysburg, OH · Parkersburg, WV · Papillion, NE · Orange, TX
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 Fitchburg. 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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