Population 8,365 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Grafton
Household size in Grafton
| Period | Grafton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.76 | 2.59 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.70 | 2.62 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.77 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.65 | 2.56 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.11 | −0.03 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Grafton average 2.65 people, the same as the country as a whole. The typical household here is bigger than in the Worcester area overall, where it has 2.56 people. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.76, 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 Grafton
| Period | Grafton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.7 | 39.1 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.0 | 39.8 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.4 | 40.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.7 | 41.1 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.0 | +2.0 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Grafton skews a little older than the country: its median age is 41.7, against 40.1 nationally. That is in line with the rest of the Worcester area. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 38.7, mirroring the country.
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 Grafton
| Period | Grafton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.6% | 10.8% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 10.3% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.3% | 11.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | +0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.3% of households in Grafton, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.3 points, in line with the national trend. Grafton has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Massachusetts cities.
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 Grafton
Renters in Grafton
| Period | Grafton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.4% | 32.4% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.4% | 34.8% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.4% | 34.9% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 26.9% | 34.2% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +10.5 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Grafton own their homes; 26.9% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. More than one in five owners (21.8%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 10.5 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Grafton
| Period | Grafton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.9% | 9.2% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.9% | 8.5% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 6.8% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Grafton: just 4.0% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy has edged down 0.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Grafton has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Massachusetts cities.
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 Grafton
| Period | Grafton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1961 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1962 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1964 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1988 | 1965 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Grafton is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1988, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only three 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 Grafton
| Period | Grafton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $930 | $930 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,131 | $1,008 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,336 | $1,155 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,571 | $1,549 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$641 | +$619 | +$775 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Grafton costs $1,571 a month with utilities, the same as the national median. Rent has climbed $641 a month since 2006–10, up 69%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 26.4% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northwest; the most affordable are in the northeast.
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 Grafton
Bachelor's degrees in Grafton
| Period | Grafton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.0% | 33.1% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 53.8% | 34.5% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 53.4% | 36.5% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 62.2% | 39.8% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | +6.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
Grafton is highly educated: just over six in ten adults 25 and older (62.2%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Grafton has a higher share of college graduates than most Massachusetts cities.
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 Grafton
| Period | Grafton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.2% | 88.4% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.8% | 89.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.3% | 90.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.1% | 90.9% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | +2.5 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Grafton: 96.1% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is little changed from 2006–10, while the national rate rose.
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 Grafton
| Period | Grafton | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.1% | 7.7% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.8% | 8.8% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.9% | 5.1% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.3% | 5.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Grafton has been strong: just 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only 15 of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 2.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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).
Grafton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton | 2.65 | 41.7 | 5.3% | 26.9% | 4.0% | 1988 | $1,571 | 62.2% | 96.1% | 2.3% |
| South Grafton | 2.54 | 41.5 | 8.0% | 36.0% | 4.2% | 1976 | $1,380 | 47.2% | 94.9% | 4.1% |
| North Grafton | 2.61 | 39.8 | 7.7% | 18.5% | 4.0% | 1973 | $1,556 | 55.9% | 95.7% | 5.5% |
| Millbury | 2.50 | 42.5 | 11.2% | 24.8% | 5.1% | 1967 | $1,801 | 36.5% | 96.0% | 2.3% |
| Northbridge | 2.48 | 46.6 | 9.0% | 18.8% | 4.9% | 1980 | $1,235 | 39.7% | 91.9% | 6.9% |
| Upton | 2.77 | 45.6 | 14.9% | 14.0% | 2.4% | 1972 | $739 | 51.4% | 97.8% | 6.5% |
| Sutton | 2.78 | 44.7 | 8.3% | 10.4% | 7.6% | 1979 | $1,239 | 52.0% | 96.3% | 3.0% |
| Whitinsville | 2.47 | 41.8 | 14.7% | 34.9% | 7.3% | 1969 | $1,221 | 36.7% | 93.7% | 4.8% |
| Shrewsbury | 2.66 | 41.5 | 6.9% | 27.8% | 5.1% | 1978 | $2,217 | 65.1% | 95.7% | 2.1% |
| Westborough | 2.71 | 40.0 | 6.5% | 37.9% | 6.0% | 1977 | $2,368 | 66.1% | 95.9% | 4.4% |
| Linwood | 2.41 | 44.2 | 16.5% | 28.5% | 8.6% | 1964 | $1,235 | 32.1% | 86.6% | 7.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Creston, IA · Dardanelle, AR · Dalzell, SC · Dagsboro, DE · Cumberland Hill, RI · Crosswicks, NJ · Crossville, AL · Crossett, AR · Crittenden, KY · Crestwood Village, NJ
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 Grafton. 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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