Population 16,763 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Northampton
Household size in Northampton
| Period | Northampton | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.87 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.99 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.08 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.93 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.06 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Northampton are small: just 1.93 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 1.87, even as the national average fell. No other Massachusetts city with 5,000+ people has smaller households.
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 Northampton
| Period | Northampton | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.6 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.8 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.9 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.4 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.8 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Northampton is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.4, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 33.6, mirroring the country. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 20 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 Northampton
| Period | Northampton | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.8% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.4% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.3% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Northampton (10.3%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. Massachusetts as a whole looks much the same. The single-parent share has edged up 1.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Northampton
Renters in Northampton
| Period | Northampton | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 55.0% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 55.2% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 58.8% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 55.6% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Northampton rent: 55.6% 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, 38.7% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 17 have a higher share of renters.
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 Northampton
| Period | Northampton | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.7% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Northampton than nationally: 6.2%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Vacancy has edged down 1.2 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 Northampton
| Period | Northampton | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1946 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1947 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1947 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1953 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +6 |
Northampton is a place of older homes: half were built before 1953, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1946 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the west.
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 Northampton
| Period | Northampton | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $860 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,015 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,248 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,586 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$726 | +$775 | +$606 |
The median renter in Northampton pays $1,586 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in Massachusetts as a whole ($1,860). Rent has climbed $726 a month since 2006–10, up 84%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 31.9% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Northampton
Bachelor's degrees in Northampton
| Period | Northampton | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 53.6% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 59.3% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 68.0% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 67.4% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.8 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
Northampton is highly educated: about two-thirds of adults 25 and older (67.4%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 13.8 points, mirroring the country.
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 Northampton
| Period | Northampton | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.3% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.0% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.7% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.2% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Northampton: 95.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 0.9 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 Northampton
| Period | Northampton | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.8% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.2% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.8% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Northampton is close to the national rate: 5.8% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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).
Northampton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northampton | 1.93 | 37.4 | 10.3% | 55.6% | 6.2% | 1953 | $1,586 | 67.4% | 95.2% | 5.8% |
| Florence | 2.11 | 48.6 | 7.6% | 29.3% | 6.2% | 1963 | $1,496 | 57.5% | 94.6% | 4.0% |
| Leeds | 2.22 | 50.4 | 9.6% | 20.9% | 6.9% | 1969 | $1,742 | 61.3% | 96.5% | 7.9% |
| Hadley | 2.41 | 44.0 | 6.4% | 25.4% | 5.9% | 1971 | $1,596 | 64.8% | 97.5% | 4.2% |
| Hatfield | 2.32 | 49.7 | 8.7% | 22.4% | 3.9% | 1963 | $1,237 | 49.1% | 93.5% | 1.4% |
| Easthampton | 2.18 | 45.9 | 11.4% | 40.1% | 8.2% | 1962 | $1,260 | 38.8% | 93.2% | 4.7% |
| West Hatfield | 2.21 | 42.9 | 21.1% | 34.4% | 6.0% | 1973 | $1,373 | 50.7% | 97.2% | 3.7% |
| Haydenville | 2.43 | 50.8 | 5.4% | 13.3% | 12.9% | 1945 | $1,413 | 59.5% | 97.6% | 2.9% |
| North Hatfield | 2.27 | 47.8 | 10.6% | 17.9% | 8.4% | 1974 | $1,042 | 47.6% | 97.5% | 4.5% |
| South Hadley | 2.26 | 45.7 | 6.3% | 23.2% | 5.1% | 1962 | $1,267 | 54.8% | 96.8% | 2.8% |
| Loudville | 2.57 | 49.3 | 7.6% | 8.6% | 14.0% | 1969 | $1,304 | 47.0% | 96.1% | 7.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Bloomingdale, FL · Boonton, NJ · Boonsboro, MD · Booneville, MS · Boone, IA · Bolivar, MO · Bogalusa, LA · Blytheville, AR · Blountville, TN · Boulder City, NV
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 Northampton. 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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