What does this measure?
The number of establishments in the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector, shown as a rate per 10,000 people.
Why is this important?
Arts and cultural attractions bring visitors and money into a region and contribute to the vitality and prestige of a community.
How is our region doing?
In 2022, there were 5.5 establishments in the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector per 10,000 residents in MetroWest. This was lower than the state rate of 6.2 and slightly higher than the U.S. rate of 5.4.
The region's rate has increased steadily over the last two decades, from 3.4 in 2000 to 4.7 in 2012, before reaching the current high.
In 2022, the number of Arts, Entertainment and Recreation establishments per 10,000 residents was lowest in Worcester County, at 4.1, compared to 6.0 in Middlesex and 6.1 in Norfolk.
Notes about the data
An establishment is a single physical location at which business is conducted or services or industrial operations are performed.
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3.8 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Massachusetts | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 5.7 | 5.9 | 6.2 |
| Region | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 5.5 |
| Middlesex County | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 6.0 |
| Norfolk County | 3.6 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 5.7 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 6.1 |
| Worcester County | 2.7 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
Notes: Rates are per 10,000 residents.
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 108,267 | 110,374 | 113,468 | 116,973 | 120,610 | 123,871 | 127,554 | 129,800 | 130,948 | 130,569 | 130,243 | 130,645 | 132,427 | 134,745 | 138,731 | 141,797 | 144,545 | 147,553 | 154,265 | 160,536 | 165,422 | 169,665 | 178,815 |
| Massachusetts | 2,507 | 2,766 | 2,918 | 3,136 | 3,290 | 3,319 | 3,189 | 3,242 | 3,285 | 3,286 | 3,445 | 3,576 | 3,550 | 3,603 | 3,695 | 3,755 | 3,842 | 3,952 | 4,002 | 4,045 | 4,001 | 4,149 | 4,312 |
| Region | 984 | 1,013 | 1,088 | 1,181 | 1,288 | 1,310 | 1,280 | 1,305 | 1,330 | 1,324 | 1,377 | 1,415 | 1,420 | 1,454 | 1,501 | 1,525 | 1,555 | 1,605 | 1,647 | 1,673 | 1,651 | 1,701 | 1,760 |
| Middlesex County | 554 | 568 | 597 | 640 | 683 | 709 | 691 | 706 | 706 | 708 | 738 | 771 | 769 | 788 | 823 | 842 | 865 | 902 | 912 | 938 | 913 | 943 | 968 |
| Norfolk County | 231 | 237 | 261 | 290 | 308 | 307 | 294 | 300 | 323 | 325 | 345 | 351 | 357 | 364 | 371 | 376 | 384 | 394 | 405 | 402 | 408 | 420 | 439 |
| Worcester County | 199 | 208 | 230 | 251 | 297 | 294 | 295 | 299 | 301 | 291 | 294 | 293 | 294 | 302 | 307 | 307 | 306 | 309 | 330 | 333 | 330 | 338 | 353 |
| INDICATORS | REGIONAL TREND |
|---|---|
| Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Establishments | Increasing |
| Tourism Spending | Maintaining |
| Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Employment | Maintaining |
| Arts Grants Distribution | Maintaining |
| Arts and Culture Attendance | Not Applicable |
| Arts Teachers in Public Schools | Increasing |
| Students Taking Arts Courses | Increasing |
| Students Taking Arts Courses, by Grade Level | Not Applicable |
| Students Taking Arts Courses, by Student Group | Not Applicable |
| Students Taking Arts Courses, by Subject | Not Applicable |
Children
Community Life
Demographics
Economy &
Education
Financial Security
Racial Equity
