Worcester, MA

Full City Profile · Massachusetts · Worcester County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
205,501 Population 5,501/sq mi density
$67,544 Median Income $35,825 per capita
$339,500 Home Value $435,944 Zillow
$1,415 Median Rent 32.0% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
640 Violent Crime/100K 1,580 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$67,544 median income, 6.4% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.8 / 5.0
$339,500 home value, $1,415/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
640 violent crimes/100K (68% above avg)
B+
Education
3.7 / 5.0
34.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Worcester experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.3 inches. The area receives 72.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation499 ft (152 m)
Area37.4 sq mi (96.8 km²)
Population Density5,501/sq mi
Coordinates42.2695°N, 71.8078°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyWorcester County County
Nearest AirportWorcester Regional (ORH)
3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 48.3"
27% above US avg
Snowfall 72.9"
Wettest Month (Oct) 4.84"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.26"

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood
Good Days %87.7%
Unhealthy Days0

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0392 ppm
NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide)14.1 ppb
SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide)0.41 ppb
CO (Carbon Monoxide)0.29 ppm
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)7.1 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score93.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability22.0 / 100
Community Resilience85.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively High
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively High
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Very High
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

28 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.8. Most recent: M3.8 on Jan 27, 2025.

Jan 27, 2025 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine M3.8 134 km
Oct 2, 1994 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts M3.7 40 km
Oct 6, 1992 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire M3.4 119 km
Jan 12, 2015 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut M3.3 59 km
Jun 16, 2000 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts M3.3 86 km
Oct 2, 1994 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts M3.3 35 km
Sep 26, 2010 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire M3.2 119 km
Mar 22, 1996 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island M3.1 80 km
Jan 10, 1999 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts M3.1 93 km
Jan 27, 2000 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire M3.0 96 km
Jan 10, 1999 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts M3.0 92 km
Jun 7, 2010 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine M2.9 148 km
Mar 21, 2016 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire M2.8 111 km
Sep 28, 2002 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire M2.8 67 km
Mar 9, 2008 25 km SE of York Beach, Maine M2.8 145 km
Mar 23, 1992 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire M2.8 137 km
Mar 10, 1992 2 km SW of Napeague, New York M2.8 144 km
Oct 13, 1999 2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts M2.7 43 km
Oct 11, 1990 5 km NNE of The Pinehills, Massachusetts M2.7 109 km
Feb 15, 2018 0 km SE of East Kingston, New Hampshire M2.7 98 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

3 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 2. Most recent: Arthur (2014, Cat 1).

Year Name Category Closest
2014 Arthur Category 1 290 km
1991 Bob Category 2 102 km
1985 Gloria Category 1 92 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Tornado History

254 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 105 fatalities, 2,038 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Oct 3, 1979 EF4 83 km 3
Jun 9, 1953 EF4 37 km 94
Jun 1, 2011 EF3 80 km 3
Jun 22, 1981 EF3 32 km 0
Sep 29, 1974 EF3 60 km 0
Sep 13, 1971 EF3 71 km 0
Oct 3, 1970 EF3 31 km 1
May 20, 1963 EF3 74 km 0
May 10, 1954 EF3 67 km 0
Jun 9, 1953 EF3 12 km 0
Aug 21, 1951 EF3 96 km 0
Aug 18, 2023 EF2 56 km 0
Jul 28, 2014 EF2 66 km 0
Jul 11, 2006 EF2 58 km 0
May 31, 1998 EF2 85 km 0
Jul 3, 1997 EF2 76 km 0
Aug 7, 1986 EF2 63 km 0
Aug 10, 1979 EF2 27 km 2
Jul 24, 1975 EF2 74 km 0
Sep 6, 1973 EF2 79 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: THE RANGE (760 ac, 2005).

Year Name Acres Distance
2005 THE RANGE 760 29 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 25°F (-4°C) 3.5 in Coldest
February 27°F (-3°C) 3.3 in Driest
March 35°F (1°C) 4.2 in
April 46°F (8°C) 4.1 in
May 57°F (14°C) 3.6 in
June 65°F (18°C) 4.2 in
July 71°F (22°C) 3.9 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 4.1 in
September 62°F (17°C) 4.2 in
October 51°F (10°C) 4.8 in Wettest
November 40°F (5°C) 4.0 in
December 31°F (-1°C) 4.3 in

Worcester has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 25°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.3 inches, with October being the wettest month (4.8") and February the driest (3.3").

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