What is the poorest county in Massachusetts?

The poorest county in Massachusetts, based on recent data, is consistently identified as Hampden County, which includes cities like Springfield, having the lowest median household income and highest poverty rates compared to other counties in the state, often followed by Suffolk or Berkshire counties in terms of challenges.

What is the poorest town in Massachusetts?

Per the list, Ware was named the poorest town in Massachusetts with a population of 6,339 people. Residents of Ware make a median household income of $43,783 per year compared to the state's annual median household income of $89,026. 16.8 percent of Ware households are receiving government aid.

What is the richest county in Massachusetts?

While Nantucket County often appears as the wealthiest by some measures, recent data from sources like the NIH and Data Commons often ranks Middlesex County as the richest in Massachusetts by median household income, closely followed by Norfolk County, with Nantucket County also consistently ranking among the top three, showcasing high wealth with significant income disparities and affluent towns like Wellesley within Norfolk.
 

What state is #1 in poverty?

Mississippi consistently ranks as the state with the highest poverty rate in the U.S., often followed by states like Louisiana, New Mexico, and West Virginia, according to World Population Review data from late 2024/early 2025 and U.S. Census data cited by FCNL and Visual Capitalist. Factors contributing to Mississippi's high poverty include low median household income, lower educational attainment, and higher rates of child poverty, though rates have seen some improvement over the years.
 

What are the top 5 poorest states?

List Of the US States With the Highest Poverty Rates Mississippi (19.58%) West Virginia (17.10%) Arkansas (16.08%) New Mexico (18.55%) Louisiana (18.65%) Kentucky (16.61%) Alabama (15.98%) Oklahoma (15.27%) South Carolina (14.68%) Tennessee (14.62%) North Carolina (13.98%) Georgia (14.28%)

Recent study shows poorest communities in Massachusetts found in western part of state

Is $40,000 a year considered poverty?

$40k a year isn't universally poverty; it's low-middle class for a single person in the US, but can feel like poverty in high-cost cities or for families, while being comfortable in cheaper areas, heavily depending on location, household size, and lifestyle, as the federal poverty line for a single person is much lower (around $15k) but a family of four needs over $30k just to meet poverty thresholds. 

What is the nicest town to live in Massachusetts?

The "best" town in Massachusetts depends on your priorities, but top contenders consistently include Brookline, Newton, and Cambridge for their excellent schools, amenities, and proximity to Boston, while Plymouth offers history and coastline, and towns like Northborough are noted for safety. Other popular choices are Malden, Somerville, Lexington, and Shrewsbury, often praised for great schools, quality of life, or a mix of suburban and urban feel, with rankings varying by source. 

What's the richest town in MA?

The richest town in Massachusetts is consistently cited as Dover, known for its high median household income and "old money" status, though other affluent communities like Weston, Sherborn, Wellesley, and Lexington also rank high, often appearing together on lists for their significant wealth and exclusive lifestyles. Recent data highlights Wellesley and other Boston suburbs as extremely wealthy, with Dover often leading in median household income, according to various studies.
 

What is the dirtiest city in Massachusetts?

While there are probably a few dirty places scattered across Massachusetts, only one is known for being the least clean around. According to a list compiled by LawnStarter, the dirtiest city in all of Massachusetts is Lawrence. This city also ranked among the dirtiest cities in the entire country (36).

What's the cheapest town to live in in Massachusetts?

The cheapest places to live in Massachusetts are generally in the Western and Central parts of the state, with North Adams, Springfield, Chicopee, and Pittsfield consistently ranking as most affordable due to significantly lower housing costs than the state average, while towns in the Pioneer Valley like Ludlow and cities like Fitchburg and Leominster also offer budget-friendly options. 

Where do rich people go in Massachusetts?

Many of the state's wealthiest towns are located in the Boston suburbs. This area includes a high concentration of wealthy cities and towns just to the west of Boston, in the MetroWest area, and along the northern and southern coastal regions that have easy access to the city, in particular the North Shore of Boston.

What is the poorest city in mass?

Lawrence is one of the poorest cities in Massachusetts. Its population of 79,000 is mostly minority and largely Hispanic. Historically, Lawrence's public sector has been troubled, and its problems with city administrations and underperforming school districts have been well-publicized and documented.

What is the best county in Massachusetts?

Middlesex County is home to Cambridge, Newton, Lowell, Wayland, and several other communities just west of Boston proper--and these cities always make "best of" Massachusetts lists for their stellar schools, high median household incomes, low crime rates, beautiful architecture, and countless things to do.

What city in Massachusetts has the worst crime rate?

Shockingly, when looked at crime rate per capita, Provincetown is #9 on the list, well above the rates of Boston, Worcester, Lynn, Lawerence, and New Bedford! North Adams has the highest rate of crime when sorted for population.

What is the safest town in Massachusetts?

While rankings vary slightly by source, Northborough and Wayland consistently appear as the safest towns in Massachusetts for 2024-2025, with Northborough often cited as number one due to extremely low violent and property crime rates, while Wayland also boasts very low crime and high affluence. Other towns frequently named among the safest include Clinton, Sharon, Lexington, and Holliston, known for their strong community safety and low crime metrics. 

Who is the wealthiest person in MA?

By Doug Banks • Published September 12, 2025 • Updated on September 14, 2025 at 11:42 am. Abigail P. Johnson, CEO and chairman of Fidelity, has the highest net worth of anyone in Massachusetts, according to Forbes magazine.

What's the most expensive city to live in Massachusetts?

Edgartown, MA

Edgartown, the most expensive city in Massachusetts, exudes luxury with its historic charm and coastal living. Also situated on Martha's Vineyard, it's famous for its classic whaling captains' homes and harbor views.

What is the prettiest town in Massachusetts?

There's no single "most beautiful," but popular contenders for beautiful Massachusetts towns include Stockbridge (Berkshires charm, Norman Rockwell), Concord (Revolutionary history, lovely main street), Rockport (coastal beauty, art), Newburyport (historic seaport), and Edgartown/Oak Bluffs (Martha's Vineyard charm). The "prettiest" often depends on whether you prefer mountain scenery, historic towns, or seaside villages.
 

Why are people moving out of Massachusetts?

People are leaving Massachusetts primarily due to the high cost of living, especially housing, alongside significant expenses for utilities, taxes, and healthcare, prompting many, including young professionals and families, to seek more affordable areas with better quality of life, better schools, or to be closer to family, though jobs and the state's strong innovation sector still attract many inbound residents.
 

What is 400% FPL?

400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) varies by household size, but for 2025, it's approximately $62,600 for a single person and $128,600 for a family of four (or $10,717/month for an individual), a common benchmark for health insurance subsidies and other programs where eligibility ends at this income, meaning no subsidy for those above it.