Five Fastest Growing Cities in Massachusetts in 2016

Massachusetts may be the seventh smallest state in the U.S., but it has been registering positive growth over the past few years. The state’s population has been increasing, and with it the state’s economy, GDP, and also certain negative aspects such as crime rates. Five cities, in particular, have registered higher growth than the rest. Here is a review of the five fastest growing cities in Massachusetts in 2016. The ranking is based on total numeric population change, and it also delves into other aspects such as employment rate and income, among others.

Chelsea

Chelsea is ranked the fifth fastest growing city in Massachusetts. According to the sub-county level population reports released by the U.S. Census Bureau, Chelsea had a total population of 39,398 people as of 1st July 2015; the population has grown by 4,221 people since 2010. Chelsea is an industrious city with an industrious and diversified population; the city is one of only four cities that boast of a majority Hispanic population. The numerous industrial activities in the city have given it sustained economic growth in the recent past, and it has been the main driving force behind its fast growth.

The estimated median household income stands at $48,357, while the per capita income is about $20,814. Compared to Massachusetts as a whole, housing is relatively affordable in Chelsea. An average house in Chelsea goes for about $264,798, but there are always great deals in the city’s bustling real estate market. However, expectedly, the city’s crime and poverty rates have been rising with the growing population, especially at the city square. Chelsea is expected to continue growing at a fast pace as it becomes even more industrious and as the society becomes more and more diverse.

Everett

Everett ranks fourth among the fastest growing cities in Massachusetts, and it also boasts of being the most livable of the five cities under review. The U.S. Census Bureau reported a total population of 46,050 as of 1st July 2015, and it registered a population growth of 4,383 people since 1st July 2010. The city has a score of 68 when it comes to livability, and it has all the necessary amenities that any city would need. The cost of housing is also lower than in most other cities in the state as the average house goes for about $399,000. Rentals, on the other hand, are also cheaper as they range at about $1,200 per month.

However, the unemployment rate is lower than in other cities under review as it stands at about 7.3% with the poverty rate standing at about 13.8%. For the employed residents in Everett, the per capita income is about $23,419 while the median household income is about $51,056.

Somerville

Somerville comes in third among the fastest growing cities in Massachusetts, and it coincidentally has the third largest population. As of 1st July 2015, the city’s population stood at 80,318 residents and grew by 4,683 from 1st July 2010. Other than a low unemployment rate, most of the other negative aspects of urban living in Somerville are relatively higher than the other cities under review. The city has the second lowest unemployment rate in the state standing at just 2.6%. What’s more, the crime rate is fairly low when compared to other cities in the state. An average of 1,453 crimes are reported per year, and this statistic is about 46% lower than in other cities in the U.S.

Housing is expensive in Somerville; in fact, housing prices in the city are at par with Boston’s housing prices. To this end, the average house goes for about $516,000, while average rentals go for about $2,300 per month. What’s more, experts fear that the prices will rise further in the near future as they have been steadily shooting up since 2008. This, coupled with the high cost of living, makes Somerville one of the most expensive cities in the state.

Cambridge

Cambridge is the second fastest growing city in Massachusetts, and it has the second highest population in the state after Boston. Its population stood at 110,402 people at of 1st July 2015 and registered an increase of 5,201 people from 1st July 2010. Cambridge is attractive to most people thanks to its ample employment opportunities. 65% of Cambridge’s total population is engaged the labor market, and the unemployment rate stands at only 3.2%; to this end, only about 1,395 people in the city are unemployed.

However, the growing population has driven housing prices up to their highest since 2008; in fact, in some areas such as nearbyBrookline, an average condo can go for as much as $740,000. However, residents can still get great deals as the city’s real estate market is vast and robust. The crime rate in Cambridge is also relatively higher than other cities in the state; in fact, the city is safer than only 17% of all the cities in the U.S. The average annual crime reports in Cambridge are estimated at 3,737 case, but a majority of them are non-violent in nature.

Boston

It comes as no surprise that Boston, the capital city of Massachusetts, is the fastest growing city in the state. The city’s growth rate dwarfs all the rest of the cities by over 40,000 people. As of 1st July 2015, Boston’s population stood at 667,137 people, which is 49,457 people more than the city’s 2010 population. However, in spite of its fast growth rate, Boston has the worst crime rate of all the cities on this review. For instance, there was an average of 24,011 crime reports in the past year, and 5,178 of these were violent. In fact, Boston’s crime rate is over 90% higher when compared to other cities in Massachusetts.

Housing is also through the roof when compared to all the other cities in the state; the average house goes for about $512,000. Rent is also quite high as rentals for go $2,100 per month, which is only third to San Francisco and New York. However, the city has been doing impressively well when it comes to employment. The city’s current unemployment rate stands at only 3.9%, and it is at its lowest in 15 years. This, coupled with the city’s diverse population, is guaranteed to further attract more people and keep Boston in the lead for the near future.