Ware, MA

Massachusetts · Metropolitan Area

Ware is a small city in Massachusetts with a population of 5,723. Residents earn $52,039 per year, which is 31% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,723 Population 920/sq mi density
$52,039 Median Income $29,764 per capita
$229,700 Home Value $337,919 Zillow
$1,046 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
356 Violent Crime/100K 1,769 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$52,039 median income, 6.9% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$229,700 home value, $1,046/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
356 violent crimes/100K (6% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,039
31% lower than US avg
Home Value $229,700
19% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 356/100K
6% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.9%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,046
10% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.1%
9% lower than US avg
Unemployment 6.9%
92% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.8%
21% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,723
Median Age42.0 yrs
Density920/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

B
Median Income$52,039
Per Capita$29,764
Unemployment6.9%
Poverty9.8%
County GDP$30,598M
Commute25 min

Housing

A
Home Value$229,700
Rent$1,046
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$337,919

Crime

F
Violent356/100K
Property1,769/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault254/100K
Burglary335/100K

Health

Obesity29.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.6%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain47.5 in/yr
Elevation414 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.9%
High School+90.6%
School Score6.49

Community

2024 VoteR 45% / D 53%
Commute25 min
EV Stations1
Libraries33

Is Ware a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ware receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Ware has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ware is $52,039, 31% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.9% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 9.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ware is $229,700, 19% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,046 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Ware is below the national average at 356 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,769 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Ware experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.5 inches, including 47.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Ware has a population of 5,723 with a density of 920 people per square mile. The median age is 42.0 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88%), with 4.6% Black.

Population

5,723
Total Population
920
People / sq mi
42.0yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
6.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.2%
Female 53.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Ware vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.0%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.0%
18% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ware vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ware is $52,039, which is 31% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 9.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Ware vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,039
31% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,764
Avg Weekly Wage$1,208
IRS Avg AGI$69,945

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.9%
92% above US avg
Poverty Rate9.8%
21% below US avg
Establishments (County)18,727
County GDP$30,598M

Business (County)

Restaurants907
Healthcare1,223
Retail1,468
Manufacturing478

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,506
86% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.4 min
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Ware is $229,700, 19% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,046 (10% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $337,919.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$229,700
19% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$337,919
Median List Price$287,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$287,900
$/Sq Ft$245
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio104.8%
Price Drops27.3%
Inventory11

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,046
10% below US avg

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-Occupied56.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,506
86% above US avg
Effective Rate2.83%
In Ware, 29.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 30.6% report depression. 25.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.1%
9% below US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure30.3%
Asthma13.2%
COPD8.6%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.7%
Physical Inactivity25.9%
Depression30.6%
Mental Distress21.5%
Physical Distress16.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.3%
Checkup Rate78.5%
Premature Death8,992/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access95.7%
Healthcare Facilities1,223
Ware has a violent crime rate of 356 per 100,000 residents, 6% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,769 per 100,000 (10% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent355.8/100K
6% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape40.7/100K
Robbery61.0/100K
Assault254.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,768.7/100K
10% below US avg
Burglary335.4/100K
Theft1,402.7/100K
Vehicle Theft30.5/100K
Arson10.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ware has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.6°F
12% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.5 inches
25% above US avg
Snowfall47.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation414 ft (126 m)
Area6.2 sq mi (16.1 km²)
Population Density920/sq mi
Coordinates42.2501°N, 72.2477°W
County FIPS25013
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 8.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44.5%
D 53.4%

Winner: Democrat by 8.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.9%
53% below US avg
High School+90.6%
School Test Score6.49
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density920/sq mi
Total Area6.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries33
Healthcare Facilities1,223
Restaurants907
Retail Stores1,468

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.4 min
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare Ware with another city: