Let’s start with the pronunciation of Worcester, which is Werster and not as it looks.
The correct name for someone who lives in the Massachusetts city of Worcester is Worcesterite, which is pronounced as Wersterite.
Find out if you want to move to this illustrious and historic Central MA city filled with smiley faces and billionaires.
Contents
Pros of Living in Worcester, MA
1. Second-largest City in New England
Worcester has more than 206,000 residents as of the 2020 US Census.
The only MA city with more people is Boston.
In addition, Worcester is on the rise with an increase in population by 25,500 in the last 10 years.
2. Euclid Avenue – Montrose Street Historic District
The popular Euclid Avenue – Montrose Street Historic District is a reason some homeowners buy property in Worcester over other MA cities.
Along this packed row are houses reminiscent of Amsterdam Canal Houses.
Forty triple-decker housing units in Colonial Revival architecture with Victorian porches and circular towers.
Look for homes for rent or sale to get you started.
3. Worcester Art Museum
If you are an artist or an art student, the Worcester Art Museum is located at 55 Salisbury Street.
Not to be confused with Salisbury Steak, the WAM has been an institution in the city since 1898.
There are more than 38,000 works of highly prized paintings, sculptures, and artifacts from around the world and throughout time at this art museum.
In addition, the grand archways, marble columns, and winding stairways of the Worcester Art Museum create a magnificent place to spend the day indoors in the city.
Pack a lunch and spend the afternoon touring the WAM to elevate your senses and step back in time.
4. Lunch Car Diners
Lunch car diners were manufactured in Worcester, MA in the 1940s and 1950s.
The Worcester Lunch Car Company aka Central Diner was a big employer back then.
While the diner manufacturing companies have gone out of business, there are several lunch car diners sitting around in Worcester.
Most of these lunch car diners have been maintained in the 1950s-style era diner where you can grab a bite to eat.
Check out the menus of Miss Worcester Diner, Boulevard Diner, and Parkway Diner for some great lunch car diners.
Hot ticket menu items include stuffed French toast in 40 different directions, such as Birthday Cake, Nutella Banana, and Caramel Apple Pecan Cream Cheese.
5. Lots of Really Rich People
In Worcester, MA is one of the richest people in the US. Valentin Gapontsev is a fiber-optic laser company founder.
He started IPG Photonics, which has netted the entrepreneur a staggering $2.3 billion.
A Russian and US citizen, Gapontsev is the only billionaire property owner residing in Worcester.
You might also meet founders of banks and businesses, though, as there are plenty of other rich people living in Worcester, MA.
This includes local bank owners and financial investors.
6. EcoTarium
Formerly called the New England Science Center, the EcoTarium is a fun and stimulating place to learn and play.
EcoTarium provides a safe educational outlet for children and families interested in ecological science.
The Alden Planetarium a steam engine and a locomotive are also part of the permanent displays here.
If you are a homeschooling family, the EcoTarium offers great value in learning and community engagement.
7. Leaf Peeping Weather
The New England states are highly desired for the leaf-peeping scenery.
When you live in Worcester, you are surrounded by that glorious foliage each and every autumn.
Make Worcester your home or second home and take a drive each autumn to see the reds, oranges, and yellows in the landscape.
Fall time is a favorite in Worcester where you can drive past manicured green lawns mansions and lush gardens every day of the week.
The Hadwen Arboretum at Clark University is a popular public garden you can visit.
In addition, there is the New England Botanical Garden in Worcester.
Green Hill Park takes in the surrounding views from hilltop landscapes in this Massachusetts city.
8. The Smiley Face Was Invented Here
The man who created the Smiley Face–yes the yellow circle with a dot-dot-dash smile–is from Worcester, MA.
In fact, in a basement in Worcester, Harvey Ball came up with the artwork for the Smiley Face.
He tried a couple of techniques and then voilà! He found the winning smile in black on yellow.
Ball sold the Smiley Face for $45 to State Mutual Life Insurance Company for a marketing and advertising bit.
The Smiley Face is so successful today that it is worth a whopping $500 million in revenue a year.
We celebrate the Smiley Face each year officially on World Smile Day.
Cons of Living in Worcester, MA
1. Cold Winters and Deep Snow
Worcester, MA receives an average of 66.8 inches of snow each winter according to the Almanac.
The area around the city gets only about 21 inches a year.
In fact, Worcester gets so much snow each year that they are the 2nd snowiest city in the entire nation.
The most snow Worcester has received was slightly more than 133 inches in 1996.
2. High Cost of Living
In Worcester, the cost of living is 16 percent higher than the rest of the US.
A household of four requires $102,992 in annual income, which is $8,583 monthly.
The poverty rate is 22.4 percent and one in three families of four live below the income level of $30,000 a year.
3. High Property Crime Rates
Worcester, MA has a rate of 1 in 57 of being a victim of property crime as of 2021 statistics.
While violent crime is not as bad at a rate of 1 in 170, property crime rates are higher here because of the amount of wealth in the communities.
However, both the property and violent crime rates in Worcester, MA are lower than the national average.
4. Asian Long-Horned Beetles
In 2008 there was a major infestation of Asian Long Horned Beetles.
While the City of Worcester is working to resolve the issue, the ALBs continue to be a threat according to Worcester County and Fitchburg State University researchers.
However, if you plan to buy property or land in Worcester, you need to take precautions to avoid spreading ALBs.
Also, know how to identify signs of an Asian Long Horned Beetle infestation.
5. High Poverty Rate
While many of the wealthiest residents of New England populate Worcester, the city is also struggling with a high rate of poverty.
The poverty rate is 22.4 percent in Worcester, MA, compared to the national average of 11.5.
This shows a distinct gap in the wages earned by the rich and the poor in Worcester.
6. Terrible Traffic Jams
The traffic in Worcester is rated at an 11 percent congestion level.
There is severe rush hour traffic reported in this MA city.
While the overall traffic is not as bad as at the New Jersey Turnpike, there are two waves of heavy traffic in the morning and another wave in the afternoon.
This can tie up the roads for longer than you might desire.
Consider this if you plan on commuting to nearby Boston, which is almost an hour away without traffic.
The fall and winter seasons are more difficult for drivers in the city, as well.
This is due to heavy snowfall and cold temperatures that cause drivers and vehicles strain.
7. Restaurants Are Dated and Traditional
The majority of popular restaurants in Worcester are Italian or serve traditional dishes.
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo was the most popular dish delivered during Corona.
There are also a lot of farm-to-table traditional sit-down restaurants for family dining in Worcester.
If you want a fusion bar or trendy take-out joint, Worcester is not the right city for you.
Instead, Worcester has 1950s lunch car diners.
8. Most Residents Are in Their Thirties
The majority of residents of Worcester are 33 years old, including more than 44 percent of the state’s population.
The average number of elderly is below the percentage of the rest of the nation with 12 percent in Worcester compared to 18 percent in the US.
You should be in your mid-30s to feel comfortable with life in this city.
If you are a young adult or senior entering retirement, Worcester may not work in your favor.
Pros and Cons of Living in Worcester, MA – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Worcester, MA | Cons of Living in Worcester, MA |
|---|---|
| 1. Second-largest City in New England | 1. Cold Winters and Deep Snow |
| 2. Euclid Avenue – Montrose Street Historic District | 2. High Cost of Living |
| 3. Worcester Art Museum | 3. High Property Crime Rates |
| 4. Lunch Car Diners | 4. Asian Long-Horned Beetles |
| 5. Lots of Really Rich People | 5. High Poverty Rate |
| 6. EcoTarium | 6. Terrible Traffic Jams |
| 7. Leaf Peeping Weather | 7. Restaurants Are Dated and Traditional |
| 8. The Smiley Face Was Invented Here | 8. Most Residents Are in Their Thirties |
Worcester Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Worcester Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Worcester, MA Apply to be an East Coast Headquarters for Amazon?
Yes, they did and there is a YouTube video to prove it.
No, as we all know the city did not take the top prize in becoming the newest headquarters for the Seattle-area business of Amazon.
However, to have the chops to make the video to enter the contest at all shows what kind of stamina the city officials of Worcester have for their community.
Which Communities of Worcester Have the Most Crime?
Worcester’s communities in Pleasant Street, Ward Street, Belmont Hill, and Grafton Hill have the worst crime.
Southeast Worcester is also the most dangerous in terms of criminal activities.
Consider living in the northeast of the city if you want to avoid the highest rates of crime.
What is the Population of Worcester, Massachusetts?
The population of Worcester, MA as of 2021 was 201,918. Boston, for comparison, had 654,776 residents.
Massachusetts as a whole had 6.985 million residents in 2021.
As Worcester is the second-largest town after Boston, you will not see any cities with more people in the state than these two.
If you enjoy an urban scene and the busy environment of a big city, Worcester provides that experience.
Does Worcester Have Any Local Colleges?
Yes!
There are in fact nine colleges in the city of Worcester, which is a lot for most cities.
These include Worcester State University and Clark University, as well as College of the Holy Cross, Quinsigamond Community College, and Assumption University.
Some of these schools are religious and/or private, but most colleges in Worcester are public institutions.
Is Worcester Called Wooster and If So What Does That Mean?
Worcester, MA is often mispronounced and one way you might hear the city name called is “Wooster.”
This has to do with the English connection across the pond where Old English Worcester was derived.
In England, Worcester is said like “Wooster,” but the “werster” pronunciation still stands in the US.
