Population 100,435 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in New Bedford
Household size in New Bedford
| Period | New Bedford | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.42 | 2.53 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.41 | 2.54 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.42 | 2.53 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.42 | 2.49 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.00 | −0.05 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in New Bedford has 2.42 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. That is in line with the rest of the Providence area. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the northeast.
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 New Bedford
| Period | New Bedford | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.5 | 39.5 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.8 | 40.5 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.8 | 41.4 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.7 | 41.7 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.2 | +2.2 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
New Bedford is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.7, against 40.1 nationally. Only 22 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 New Bedford
| Period | New Bedford | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.4% | 12.5% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.1% | 12.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 18.3% | 11.9% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 18.9% | 12.1% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in five households in New Bedford (18.9%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 1.5 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only nine 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 New Bedford
Renters in New Bedford
| Period | New Bedford | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 55.9% | 37.0% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 57.5% | 39.0% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 59.9% | 38.6% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 59.8% | 36.8% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in New Bedford rent: 59.8% 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, 37.6% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share has risen 4.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 New Bedford
| Period | New Bedford | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 10.3% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.5% | 10.5% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.1% | 10.7% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.3% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in New Bedford: 6.3% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 4.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 New Bedford
| Period | New Bedford | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1946 | 1959 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1947 | 1959 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1948 | 1960 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1948 | 1962 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +3 | +5 | +6 |
New Bedford is a place of older homes: half were built before 1948, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the northeast. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 13 have 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 New Bedford
| Period | New Bedford | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $750 | $928 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $789 | $974 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $861 | $1,103 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,175 | $1,439 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$425 | +$511 | +$775 | +$606 |
A typical rental in New Bedford costs $1,175 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $425 a month from 2006–10, a 57% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 32.4% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southwest and lowest 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 New Bedford
Bachelor's degrees in New Bedford
| Period | New Bedford | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.9% | 28.5% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.6% | 29.6% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.2% | 32.4% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.4% | 35.2% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +6.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in New Bedford have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 16.4%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 3.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only three 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 New Bedford
| Period | New Bedford | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 64.5% | 82.1% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 70.0% | 83.9% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 75.6% | 87.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 75.7% | 88.3% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.2 pts | +6.2 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
About a quarter of adults in New Bedford never finished high school, well above the national share: only 75.7% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 11.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only two 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 New Bedford
| Period | New Bedford | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 8.5% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.5% | 10.0% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.6% | 5.5% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 5.8% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in New Bedford runs well above the national rate: 8.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only ten have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 2.3 points from 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).
New Bedford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Bedford | 2.42 | 37.7 | 18.9% | 59.8% | 6.3% | 1948 | $1,175 | 16.4% | 75.7% | 8.2% |
| Fairhaven | 2.31 | 48.2 | 8.5% | 25.6% | 8.8% | 1957 | $1,253 | 32.1% | 92.8% | 5.9% |
| Smith Mills | 2.30 | 46.5 | 5.3% | 21.0% | 1.9% | 1970 | $842 | 36.5% | 86.6% | 6.2% |
| North Dartmouth | 2.52 | 39.4 | 6.9% | 24.1% | 5.0% | 1983 | $1,380 | 36.1% | 87.0% | 4.5% |
| Dartmouth | 2.65 | 51.1 | 4.8% | 5.3% | 12.4% | 1977 | $1,685 | 43.4% | 87.4% | 2.3% |
| Acushnet | 2.61 | 46.3 | 12.0% | 14.9% | 1.3% | 1972 | $1,277 | 26.4% | 87.2% | 2.8% |
| South Dartmouth | 2.34 | 52.0 | 5.4% | 27.1% | 11.7% | 1963 | $1,640 | 44.7% | 88.9% | 2.8% |
| Kempton Croft | 3.02 | 42.3 | 2.3% | 2.7% | 4.0% | 1994 | $955 | 41.4% | 88.4% | 4.3% |
| Tinkhamtown | 2.33 | 52.6 | 5.9% | 7.2% | 9.0% | 1979 | $1,332 | 40.7% | 92.0% | 1.6% |
| Silver Shell Beach | 2.25 | 59.9 | 16.3% | 14.7% | 35.0% | 1972 | $1,645 | 41.7% | 98.3% | 6.2% |
| Mattapoisett | 2.37 | 58.7 | 3.7% | 8.2% | 25.1% | 1980 | $1,595 | 54.1% | 93.7% | 0.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Visalia, CA · Ventura, CA · Tulsa, OK · Tracy, CA · Tyler, TX · Tulare, CA · Vacaville, CA · Temecula, CA · The Woodlands, TX · Terre Haute, IN
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 New Bedford. 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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