Overview

Introduction to Worcester, Massachusetts

Incorporated in 1722, Worcester is the third largest city in New England (behind Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island), and the second largest city in Massachusetts. Worcester has a population of approximately 175,000 people.

Worcester is located in central Massachusetts. It is about an hour drive southwest from Boston, Massachusetts, an hour and ten minutes northeast of Hartford, Connecticut, and 50 minutes northwest of Providence, Rhode Island. Worcester is one of only a few cities to win the National Civic League's coveted "All-America City Award" five times. Worcester is also home to one Fortune 1000 corporate headquarters. Many others are located in communities near by.

Worcester's climate is characterized by four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and summers tend to be warm and humid. January is the coldest month of the year with an average daily temperature of 31 degrees Fahrenheit. July is the warmest month of the year with an average daily temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Worcester gets an average of almost 68 inches of snow during the winter.

Worcester Arts and Entertainment

For a city of modest size, Worcester provides a good assortment of arts and cultural offerings. Some of the more notable include:

  • The American Antiquarian Society
  • Ecotarium
  • The Foothills Theatre Company
  • The Higgins Armory Museum (the largest collection of arms and armor in the western hemisphere)
  • Musicians of the Old Post Road
  • Music Worcester
  • Opera Worcester
  • The Worcester Art Museum
  • The Worcester History Museum

Worcester is also a relatively short drive to all of the arts and cultural offerings of Boston, Massachusetts, Hartford, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island.

For sports enthusiasts, Worcester's central location gives residents and visitors easy access to numerous professional sporting teams. Worcester itself is home to a professional baseball team, the Worcester Tornadoes, who play in the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, or Can-Am League. Boston to the east is home to Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox. For individuals who like minor league baseball action, nearby Pawtucket, RI is home Minor League Baseball's (MiLB) Pawtucket Red Sox, and Lowell, Massachusetts is home to the Lowell Spinners. The Red Sox are a Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, and the Spinners are a Class A Short-Season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. For individuals whose interest turns to hockey, the National Hockey League Boston Bruins play in Boston, and the the American Hockey League (AHL) Providence Bruins, play in Providence. Other nearby sports teams include Major League Soccer's (MLS) New England Revolution, the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Softball New England Riptide, the NBA's Boston Celtics, the NFL's New England Patriots, the United Soccer League's (USL) USL-W Division Boston Renegades, and World Team Tennis' (WTT) Boston Lobsters.

Demographics

People

Total Population185,195
Male Share of the Population49%
Female Share of the Population51%
Senior Citizens13.2%
Employed Population 16+83,640
Age of the Population34

Families

% of people married33.7%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher31.3%
Median Earnings25+$40,153
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$25,087
Median Earnings With High School Degree$31,758

Wealth

Median Family Income$60,991
% Above Poverty Level78.9%
% Below Poverty Level21.1%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time24 minutes
% Working from Home4.6%
% Walking and Biking to Work6.9%
% Using Public Transportation3.1%

Housing

People Living Alone37.3%
Median Gross Rent$1,064
Median House Value$220,700

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)34.5%
Irish14.3%
Italian10.5%
French Except Basque6.8%
African5.6%
English4.8%
Polish3.5%
German3.2%
Canadian2.9%
Arab2%
Swedish1.9%
Albanian1.8%
Brazilian1.6%
Ghanaian1.5%
West Indian1.5%
Greek1.1%
Lithuanian1.1%
Scottish1%
Portuguese0.9%
Russian0.8%
Kenyan0.7%
Iraqi0.7%
Jamaican0.6%
US/American0.6%
Lebanese0.5%
Liberian0.5%
Dutch0.4%
Haitian0.4%
Nigerian0.4%
Welsh0.3%
Finnish0.3%
Cape Verdean0.3%
Norwegian0.3%
Ukrainian0.2%
Syrian0.2%
Romanian0.2%
Iranian0.1%
Israeli0.1%
Barbadian0.1%
Hungarian0.1%
Guyanese0.1%
British0.1%
Swiss0.1%
Austrian0.1%
Ethiopian0.1%
Somali0.1%
Danishn0.1%
Moroccan0.1%
Turkish0.1%
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Worcester Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyWorcester County
Standard Zip Codes01607, 01604, 01605, 01608, 01602, 01603, 01606, 01609, 01610, 01655, 01612
P.O. Box Zip Codes1615, 1614, 1601, 1613
Company Zip Codes1653, 1654
Phone Area Codes508, 77, 49, 78, 87, 74, 978, 774
Time ZoneAmerica/New_York
Approximate Latitude42.23
Approximate Longitude-71.79

Worcester Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationWORCESTER RGNL AP
Distance4.1 miles
Jan Temp16 to 31 F
Apr Temp36 to 54 F
Jul Temp61 to 79 F
Oct Temp41 to 58 F
Annual Precip49 inches
StationBUFFUMVILLE LAKE
Distance11.3 miles
Jan Temp12 to 34 F
Apr Temp34 to 57 F
Jul Temp59 to 82 F
Oct Temp36 to 61 F
Annual Precip48.8 inches
StationBARRE FALLS DAM
Distance16.7 miles
Jan Temp11 to 32 F
Apr Temp32 to 55 F
Jul Temp55 to 80 F
Oct Temp34 to 59 F
Annual Precip45.5 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income

Worcester Public Libraries

Worcester Public Library
3 SALEM SQUARE
Worcester, Massachusetts
(508) 799-1655

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Worcester Hospitals

Umass Memorial Medical Center - Memorial Campus
(Non-profit)
119 Belmont Street
Saint Vincent Hospital
(Proprietary)
123 Summer Street
Umass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus
(Non-profit)
55 Lake Avenue North

Worcester Public Schools

Chandler Magnet
525 Chandler Street
ZIP: 1602
(508) 799-3452
Primary
Total Enrollment 473
Doherty Memorial High
299 Highland Street
ZIP: 1602
(508) 799-3270
High
Total Enrollment 1442
Flagg Street
115 Flagg Street
ZIP: 1602
(508) 799-3522
Primary
Total Enrollment 413
May Street
265 May Street
ZIP: 1602
(508) 799-3520
Primary
Total Enrollment 329
Midland Street
18 Midland Street
ZIP: 1602
(508) 799-3548
Primary
Total Enrollment 244
Tatnuck
1083 Pleasant Street
ZIP: 1602
(508) 799-3554
Primary
Total Enrollment 413
West Tatnuck
300 Mower Street
ZIP: 1602
(508) 799-3596
Primary
Total Enrollment 355
Canterbury
129 Canterbury Street
ZIP: 1603
(508) 799-3484
Primary
Total Enrollment 377
Columbus Park
75 Lovell Street
ZIP: 1603
(508) 799-3490
Primary
Total Enrollment 459
Gates Lane
1238 Main Street
ZIP: 1603
(508) 799-3488
Primary
Total Enrollment 681
Goddard School/science Technical
14 Richards Street
ZIP: 1603
(508) 799-3594
Primary
Total Enrollment 484
Heard Street
200 Heard Street
ZIP: 1603
(508) 799-3525
Primary
Total Enrollment 285
South High Community
170 Apricot Street
ZIP: 1603
(508) 799-3325
High
Total Enrollment 1323
University Pk Campus School
12 Freeland Street
ZIP: 1603
(508) 799-3591
High
Total Enrollment 244
Grafton Street
311 Grafton Street
ZIP: 1604
(508) 799-3478
Primary
Total Enrollment 384
Lake View
133 Coburn Avenue
ZIP: 1604
(508) 799-3536
Primary
Total Enrollment 289
North High
140 Harrington Way
ZIP: 1604
(508) 799-3370
High
Total Enrollment 1361
Rice Square
76 Massasoit Rd
ZIP: 1604
(508) 799-3556
Primary
Total Enrollment 428
Roosevelt
1006 Grafton Street
ZIP: 1604
(508) 799-3482
Primary
Total Enrollment 675
Sullivan Middle
140 Apricot Street
ZIP: 1604
(508) 799-3350
Middle
Total Enrollment 848
Union Hill School
1 Chapin Street
ZIP: 1604
(508) 799-3600
Primary
Total Enrollment 449
Worcester East Middle
420 Grafton Street
ZIP: 1604
(508) 799-3430
Middle
Total Enrollment 788
Belmont Street Community
170 Belmont Street
ZIP: 1605
(508) 799-3588
Primary
Total Enrollment 548
City View
80 Prospect Street
ZIP: 1605
(508) 799-3670
Primary
Total Enrollment 521
Forest Grove Middle
495 Grove Street
ZIP: 1605
(508) 799-3420
Middle
Total Enrollment 931
Francis J Mcgrath Elementary
493 Grove Street
ZIP: 1605
(508) 799-3584
Primary
Total Enrollment 291
Lincoln Street
549 Lincoln Street
ZIP: 1605
(508) 799-3504
Primary
Total Enrollment 276
Ma Academy For Math And Science School
85 Prescott Street
ZIP: 1605
(508) 831-5859
High
Total Enrollment 97
Nelson Place
35 Nelson Pl
ZIP: 1605
(508) 799-3506
Primary
Total Enrollment 486
Seven Hills Charter School
51 Gage Street
ZIP: 1605
(508) 799-7500
Primary
Total Enrollment 667
Wawecus Road School
20 Wawecus Rd
ZIP: 1605
(508) 799-3527
Primary
Total Enrollment 152
Worcester Technical High
1 Skyline Drive
ZIP: 1605
(508) 799-1940
High
Total Enrollment 1404
Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School
10 New Bond Street
ZIP: 1606
(508) 854-8400
Other
Total Enrollment 1428
Burncoat Middle School
135 Burncoat Street
ZIP: 1606
(508) 799-3390
Middle
Total Enrollment 582
Burncoat Senior High
179 Burncoat Street
ZIP: 1606
(508) 799-3300
High
Total Enrollment 1000
Burncoat Street
526 Burncoat Street
ZIP: 1606
(508) 799-3537
Primary
Total Enrollment 218
Clark St Community
280 Clark Street
ZIP: 1606
(508) 799-3545
Primary
Total Enrollment 289
Norrback Avenue
44 Malden Street
ZIP: 1606
(508) 799-3500
Primary
Total Enrollment 584
Thorndyke Road
30 Thorndyke Rd
ZIP: 1606
(508) 799-3550
Primary
Total Enrollment 362
Worcester Arts Magnet School
315 St Nicholas Avenue
ZIP: 1606
(508) 799-3575
Primary
Total Enrollment 404
Quinsigamond
14 Blackstone River Rd.
ZIP: 1607
(508) 799-3502
Primary
Total Enrollment 795
Vernon Hill School
211 Providence Street
ZIP: 1607
(508) 799-3630
Primary
Total Enrollment 549
Chandler Elementary Community
114 Chandler Street
ZIP: 1609
(508) 799-3572
Primary
Total Enrollment 457
Elm Park Community
23 North Ashland Street
ZIP: 1609
(508) 799-3568
Primary
Total Enrollment 488
Spirit Of Knowledge Charter School
19 Chatham Street
ZIP: 1609
(508) 252-7321
Claremont Academy
15 Claremont Street
ZIP: 1610
(508) 799-3077
High
Total Enrollment 497
Head Start
770 Main Street
ZIP: 1610
(508) 799-3662
Primary
Total Enrollment 606
Jacob Hiatt Magnet
772 Main Street
ZIP: 1610
(508) 799-3601
Primary
Total Enrollment 457
Woodland Academy
93 Woodland Street
ZIP: 1610
(508) 799-3557
Primary
Total Enrollment 613

Worcester Private Schools

Worcester Seventh-day Adventist School
2 Airport Dr
ZIP: 1602
Elementary
Total Enrollment 20
Yeshiva Achei Tmimim Academy
22 Newton Ave
ZIP: 1602
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 72
Our Lady Of The Angels Memorial Elementary School
1220 Main St
ZIP: 1603
Elementary
Total Enrollment 228
Holy Name Central Catholic Jr/sr High School
144 Granite St
ZIP: 1604
Secondary
Total Enrollment 612
St Stephen Elementary School
355 Grafton St
ZIP: 1604
Elementary
Total Enrollment 155
Worcester Academy
81 Providence St
ZIP: 1604
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 641
Bancroft School
110 Shore Dr
ZIP: 1605
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 520
Mercy Centre
25 W Chester St
ZIP: 1605
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 22
St Peter-marian Catholic Jr-sr High School
781 Grove St
ZIP: 1605
Secondary
Total Enrollment 586
The Nativity School Of Worcester
67 Lincoln St
ZIP: 1605
Elementary
Total Enrollment 54
Venerini Academy
27 Edward St
ZIP: 1605
Elementary
Total Enrollment 266
Ymca Ctr For Child Development Wee Wuns Prek Kdgn
75 Shore Dr
ZIP: 1605
Elementary
Total Enrollment 10
Alhuda Academy
248 E Mountain St
ZIP: 1606
Elementary
Total Enrollment 95
G Stanley Hall School
41 Randolph Rd
ZIP: 1606
Elementary
Total Enrollment 4
Notre Dame Academy
425 Salisbury St
ZIP: 1609
Secondary
Total Enrollment 269
Summit Academy School For Alternative Learners
15 Jamesbury Dr
ZIP: 1609
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 26
St Mary S Jr/sr High School
50 Richland St
ZIP: 1610
Secondary
Total Enrollment 118
St Marys Elementary School
50 Richland St
ZIP: 1610
Elementary
Total Enrollment 102
St Peter Central Catholic Elementary School
865 Main St
ZIP: 1610
Elementary
Total Enrollment 320
Sources :
Additional Details
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Worcester colleges and trade schools.
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Historic Worcester

photo

St. Paul's Church c1908.

Select a photo to view (Source):

St. Paul's Church c1908.

State Mutual Building c1908.

Clark University c1908.

Additional Resources
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