Map shows biggest population losers and winners in Mass. from new census data
The U.S. Census released new numbers this month that show clear shifts in population for Massachusetts.
And the news isn't great for Western Mass. or for Cape Cod.
From July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, 282 of the 351 Massachusetts cities and towns saw increases to their populations. Seven communities remained exactly the same and 62 saw declines.
But the communities were not evenly distributed across the state. Nearly all of Cape Cod and Western Massachusetts saw declines.
Meanwhile, the northern suburbs of Boston had three of the top fastest growing communities in the state.
Below, town-by-town a map clearly shows the growth and shrinking areas of the state, with those gaining population in green and those losing it in pink. The map can also be viewed by visiting this link.
The biggest population loser by percent was the historic town of Concord. Concord saw a 1% drop in population from 18,273 in 2023 to 18,092 in 2024.
On the other side of the spectrum, Stoneham in the northern Boston suburbs gained 6.3% more population in 2024, rising from 23,098 to 24,550.
Two communities that border Stoneham — Woburn and Wakefield — were also in the top five population gainers.
A table showing all Massachusetts cities and towns is at the bottom of this story, and can also be viewed here.
Stoneham, Middlesex County — gained 6.3% (1,452 people)
Pelham, Hampshire County — gained 5.6% (71 people)
Woburn, Middlesex County — gained 4.3% (1,812 people)
Wakefield, Middlesex County — gained 3.9% (1,106 people)
North Reading, Middlesex County — gained 3.2% (511 people)
Ashland, Middlesex County — gained 3.2% (599 people)
Revere, Suffolk County — gained 2.9% (1,736 people)
Millis, Norfolk County — gained 2.9% (1,736 people)
Dover, Norfolk County — gained 2.5% (148 people)
Norfolk, Norfolk County — gained 2.4% (285 people)
The biggest population losers in the state tended to be smaller communities, so the loss of just a handful of people wound up getting some of them close to the top.
Of the top 10 fastest shrinking towns, six were in Hampshire County.
Concord, Middlesex County — lost 1% (181 people)
Southampton, Hampshire County — lost 0.7% (42 people)
Dennis, Barnstable County — lost 0.7% (100 people)
Goshen, Hampshire County — lost 0.6% (6 people)
Cummington, Hampshire County — lost 0.5% (4 people)
Wendell, Franklin County — lost 0.4% (4 people)
Huntington, Hampshire County — lost 0.4% (9 people)
Chesterfield, Hampshire County — lost 0.4% (5 people)
South Hadley, Hampshire County — lost 0.4% (73 people)
New Ashford, Berkshire County — lost 0.4% (1 person)
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