The latest Insights Insider of the year explores poverty and cost burden throughout Worcester County. In partnership with Greater Worcester Community Foundation and using data from Worcester County Insights and the U.S. Census Bureau, we analyzed changes in household incomes, household cost-burden, rates of poverty in Worcester County over time, compared poverty rates in rural, suburban, and urban communities.

Although Massachusetts has one of the highest median household incomes in the United States, poverty remains persistent in many communities. Worcester County is no exception. Despite a decrease in the number of residents experiencing poverty between 2012 and 2022 statewide, Worcester County has seen an increase over that same period – however, combined with population increases, the percentage of residents experiencing poverty has remained static.