Population 9,511 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in University Park
Household size in University Park
| Period | University Park | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.65 | 2.59 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.75 | 2.62 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.39 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.68 | 2.56 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | −0.03 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
At 2.68 people per household, University Park sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in the Worcester area overall, where it has 2.56 people. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.65, even as the national average fell.
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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.4 | 39.1 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 28.5 | 39.8 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.6 | 40.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 28.4 | 41.1 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.0 | +2.0 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
University Park is young: half of its residents are under 28.4, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults and children. The median age has climbed from 27.4 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Worcester neighborhood is 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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.7% | 10.8% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.6% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 17.7% | 10.3% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 18.6% | 11.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −10.1 pts | +0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in five households in University Park (18.6%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 10.1 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 University Park
Renters in University Park
| Period | University Park | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.9% | 32.4% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 89.9% | 34.8% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 90.4% | 34.9% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 90.2% | 34.2% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in University Park rent: 90.2% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 4.3 points, as it has nationally. Only one other Worcester neighborhood has 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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.7% | 9.2% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.7% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.5% | 8.5% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 6.8% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −11.6 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in University Park: 6.2% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 11.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. University Park has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Worcester neighborhoods.
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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1943 | 1961 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1940 | 1962 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1938 | 1964 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1942 | 1965 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | −1 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
University Park is a place of older homes: half were built before 1942, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the southwest has the oldest housing.
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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $769 | $930 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $854 | $1,008 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,044 | $1,155 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,352 | $1,549 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$583 | +$619 | +$775 | +$606 |
A typical rental in University Park costs $1,352 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $583 a month since 2006–10, up 76%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 36.6% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the southwest and lowest 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 University Park
Bachelor's degrees in University Park
| Period | University Park | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.9% | 33.1% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.9% | 34.5% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.5% | 36.5% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 28.4% | 39.8% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +6.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in University Park than nationally: 28.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.5 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the northeast.
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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 66.3% | 88.4% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 74.9% | 89.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 73.7% | 90.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 80.9% | 90.9% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +14.6 pts | +2.5 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in five adults in University Park never finished high school, well above the national share: only 80.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 14.6 points, a much bigger 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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.3% | 7.7% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 15.9% | 8.8% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 5.1% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.8% | 5.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.5 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in University Park: 11.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Worcester neighborhood has higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 7.5 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).
University Park compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Park | 2.68 | 28.4 | 18.6% | 90.2% | 6.2% | 1942 | $1,352 | 28.4% | 80.9% | 11.8% |
| Main Middle | 2.70 | 33.9 | 19.1% | 90.0% | 10.9% | 1942 | $1,387 | 23.3% | 77.9% | 9.1% |
| South Worcester | 2.68 | 31.6 | 18.9% | 69.5% | 7.7% | 1938 | $1,579 | 16.8% | 84.1% | 9.1% |
| Columbus Park | 2.58 | 37.5 | 18.4% | 66.8% | 6.2% | 1950 | $1,226 | 24.1% | 79.7% | 8.3% |
| Green Island | 2.68 | 32.8 | 36.7% | 81.0% | 18.7% | 1948 | $1,597 | 21.3% | 80.2% | 14.3% |
| Vernon Hill | 2.17 | 41.6 | 23.5% | 82.4% | 9.5% | 1954 | $1,575 | 16.0% | 74.4% | 7.2% |
| Institute Park | 1.94 | 30.9 | 8.2% | 87.6% | 20.3% | 1948 | $1,515 | 56.6% | 91.0% | 4.4% |
| Central Business District | 1.86 | 29.9 | 13.6% | 92.9% | 15.0% | 1969 | $1,524 | 45.0% | 80.1% | 5.6% |
| North Quinsigamond Village | 2.51 | 29.9 | 17.3% | 48.6% | 6.3% | 1938 | $1,632 | 43.0% | 93.4% | 3.7% |
| Newton Square | 2.76 | 37.4 | 7.7% | 33.8% | 9.3% | 1939 | $1,595 | 52.6% | 95.3% | 3.8% |
| Hadwen Park | 2.73 | 36.4 | 14.8% | 40.2% | 4.9% | 1949 | $1,603 | 27.6% | 86.5% | 6.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Westlake Village Area-Los Angeles, Westlake Village, CA · Southside, Augusta, GA · SouthWest Anaheim, Anaheim, CA · Vose, Beaverton, OR · Eastgate, Bellevue, WA · East Springfield, Springfield, MA · East Central Westminster, Westminster, CO · Downtown Harbor-Post Road South, Milford, CT · Devington, Indianapolis, IN · Delaware Avenue, Albany, NY
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 University Park. 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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