These Mass. cities have lost the most population since the pandemic

Census
An envelope containing a 2020 census letter. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)AP

Population estimates from the U.S. Census released this week offer a view of how populations have shifted since the 2020 Census took place.

The estimates show yearly population estimates for July 1 in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. In that time, the global coronavirus pandemic shifted many aspects of life, including where people choose to live.

While most states gained population over the past three years, Massachusetts is among 14 states as well as the District of Columbia that lost population.

Census estimates show that the Bay State had 31,534 fewer people on July 1, 2023, than it had on April 1, 2020, when the 2020 U.S. Census was taken — a decrease of nearly half a percent.

The places that lost the most population were in and around Boston.

Boston itself saw a decrease of nearly 25,000 people, or 3.7% of its population between 2020 and 2023, according to the Census.

Nearby municipalities of Revere, Chelsea and Winthrop all lost 5% or more of population.

The biggest population loser was the Middlesex County town of Shirley, which went from 7,438 during the 2020 Census to an estimated 6,851 on July 1, 2023, a drop of 587 or nearly 8%.

On the Western side of the state, many Berkshire County communities found themselves high on the list of population losers, with the county’s largest city — Pittsfield — losing about 2% of its population, nearly 1,000 people.

Worcester, the state’s second largest city, gained a small amount of population, according to U.S. Census estimates — about 0.5% or 1,102 people. Springfield, the next largest city, dropped by 1.4% or 2,257 people.

A table showing all Massachusetts cities and towns is at the bottom of this story.

These are the top 10 communities in Massachusetts that lost population between 2020 and 2023.

Top 10 population losers in Mass. (by %)

  1. Shirley, Middlesex County — lost 7.9% (587 people)
  2. Revere, Suffolk County — lost 6.8% (4,254 people)
  3. Chelsea, Suffolk County — lost 6% (2,465 people)
  4. Winthrop, Suffolk County — lost 5.2% (1,002 people)
  5. Boston, Suffolk County — lost 3.7% (24,784 people)
  6. North Adams, Berkshire County — lost 3.7% (473 people)
  7. Florida, Berkshire County — lost 2.5% (17 people)
  8. Concord, Middlesex County — lost 2.2% (408 people)
  9. Tyringham, Berkshire County — lost 2.1% (9 people)
  10. Dalton, Berkshire County — lost 2.1% (131 people)

Overall, 205 of the state’s 351 communities lost population.

On the other side of the ledger, 17 communities saw growth of 3% or more. Among the largest increases was seen in the town of Plymouth, which grew by 4,189 people or 6.8%. Wellesley grew 1,181 or 4%. The largest increase by percent was in the Worcester County town of Berlin, which grew 266 or 8.4%.

Top 10 population gainers in Mass. (by %)

  1. Berlin, Worcester County — 8.4% (266 people)
  2. Plymouth, Plymouth County — 6.8% (4,189 people)
  3. Millis, Norfolk County — 6.6% (559 people)
  4. Rehoboth, Bristol County — 6.5% (807 people)
  5. Lancaster, Worcester County — 4.3% (365 people)
  6. Hopkinton, Middlesex County — 4.1% (777 people)
  7. Rutland, Worcester County — 4% (366 people)
  8. Wellesley, Norfolk County — 4% (1,181 people)
  9. Upton, Worcester County — 3.9% (311 people)
  10. Lakeville, Plymouth County — 3.9% (446 people)

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