Shirley, MA

Massachusetts · Metropolitan Area

Shirley is a small town in Massachusetts with a population of 1,256.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,256 Population 952/sq mi density
N/A Median Income $47,805 per capita
$378,700 Home Value $539,590 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
52 Violent Crime/100K 454 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
52 violent crimes/100K (86% below avg)
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
41.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Home Value $378,700
34% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 52/100K
86% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 41.5%
23% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.7%
20% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.9%
64% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

How Shirley Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,256
Median Age44.2 yrs
Density952/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

Median IncomeN/A
Per Capita$47,805
Unemployment5.9%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$240,665M
Commute36 min

Housing

Home Value$378,700
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$539,590

Crime

F
Violent52/100K
Property454/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault52/100K
Burglary130/100K

Health

Obesity25.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.4%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain43.4 in/yr
Elevation382 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+41.5%
High School+100.0%
School Score6.49

Community

2024 VoteR 29% / D 68%
Commute36 min
EV Stations3
Libraries71

Is Shirley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Shirley receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, long commute times. Shirley has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The unemployment rate of 5.9% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Shirley is $378,700, 34% above the national median.

Safety & Crime

Shirley is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 52 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 454 per 100,000, 77% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 41.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 100.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Shirley experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Shirley has a population of 1,256 with a density of 952 people per square mile. The median age is 44.2 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.8%), with 7.2% Black.

Population

1,256
Total Population
952
People / sq mi
44.2yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Shirley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.1%
17% above US avg
Spanish7.9%
41% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Shirley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Shirley is N/A. The unemployment rate is 5.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes.

Income: Shirley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Per Capita Income$47,805
Avg Weekly Wage$2,187
IRS Avg AGI$152,234

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.9%
64% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)58,457
County GDP$240,665M

Business (County)

Restaurants3,917
Healthcare5,066
Retail4,730
Manufacturing1,511

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,825
209% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.86%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time35.8 min
Work from Home25.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Shirley is $378,700, 34% above the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $539,590.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$378,700
34% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$539,590

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$331
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio97.6%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,727
1 Bedroom$1,822
2 Bedrooms$2,300
3 Bedrooms$2,858
4 Bedrooms$3,232

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied66.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,825
209% above US avg
Effective Rate2.86%
In Shirley, 25.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 27.4% report depression. 18.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Shirley vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.7%
20% below US avg
Diabetes7.4%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure25.9%
Asthma12.4%
COPD5.0%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity18.8%
Depression27.4%
Mental Distress17.8%
Physical Distress10.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Checkup Rate77.7%
Premature Death4,416/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.4/10
Exercise Access97.1%
Healthcare Facilities5,066
Shirley has a violent crime rate of 52 per 100,000 residents, 86% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 454 per 100,000 (77% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Shirley vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent51.8/100K
86% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault51.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property453.6/100K
77% below US avg
Burglary129.6/100K
Theft311.0/100K
Vehicle Theft13.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)74

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Shirley has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.9°F
9% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.4 inches
14% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation382 ft (116 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²)
Population Density952/sq mi
Coordinates42.5365°N, 71.6674°W
County FIPS25017
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 41.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 39.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 29%
D 68.5%

Winner: Democrat by 39.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+41.5%
23% above US avg
High School+100.0%
School Test Score6.49
A Education Grade (4.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density952/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries71
Healthcare Facilities5,066
Restaurants3,917
Retail Stores4,730

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)74
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute35.8 min
Work from Home25.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Shirley with another city: