Financial Security
People Living in Poverty, by Education Level

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People Living in Poverty by Education Level, 2018-22

What does this measure?

The share of residents with incomes below the federal poverty level, broken down by levels of educational attainment. Poverty thresholds vary by family composition and year. In 2022, the threshold for a four-person family with two children was $29,678.

Why is this important?

This measures the ability of people with different education levels to find work and earn a wage above the poverty line. It also indicates the level of need for social and educational supports.

How is our region doing?

In 2018-22, 20% of MetroWest residents who lacked a high school diploma lived below the poverty line, a decrease of 2 percentage points from 2013-17. This was a bit lower than the statewide and national figure of 24%.

During the same period, 12% of MetroWest residents who had a high school diploma lived in poverty, compared to 8% who had attended some college or earned an associate's degree, and 3% who had at least a bachelor's degree. The rate of poverty for those with a bachelor's degree was similar to state and national rates, and rates for those with a high school diploma or some college were below both state and national rates.

Notes about the data

Poverty status is not reported for people in institutions, including college dormitories and military barracks, and people in living situations without conventional housing.

The multiyear figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. However, because the information came from a survey, the samples responding to the survey were not always large enough to produce reliable results, especially in small geographic areas. CGR has noted on data tables the estimates with relatively large margins of error. Estimates with three asterisks have the largest margins, plus or minus 50% or more of the estimate. Two asterisks mean plus or minus 35%-50%, and one asterisk means plus or minus 20%-35%. For all estimates, the confidence level is 90%, meaning there is 90% probability the true value (if the whole population were surveyed) would be within the margin of error (or confidence interval). The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Data for this indicator are expected to be released annually in December.

People Living in Poverty by Education Level, 2018-22
Bachelor's degree or higherHigh school graduate, GED, or alternativeLess than high school diplomaSome college or associate's degree
United States4%14%24%10%
Massachusetts4%13%24%9%
Region3%12%20%8%
Middlesex County3%13%19%8%
Norfolk County3%10%17%8%
Worcester County4%12%25%8%
Acton town, Middlesex County2%***6%***3%***12%***
Ashland town, Middlesex County1%***16%***9%***7%***
Bedford town, Middlesex County3%**11%***8%***10%***
Bellingham town, Norfolk County2%***7%**17%***3%***
Boxborough town, Middlesex County1%***3%***0%***6%***
Carlisle town, Middlesex County2%***11%***0%***11%***
Concord town, Middlesex County1%***4%***22%***7%***
Dedham town, Norfolk County3%***8%**11%***6%**
Dover town, Norfolk County2%***0%***0%***3%***
Framingham city, Middlesex County4%*15%*23%*10%*
Franklin town, Norfolk County2%***7%**9%***10%***
Groton town, Middlesex County1%***13%***26%***10%***
Harvard town, Worcester County4%***2%***3%***15%***
Holliston town, Middlesex County2%***9%***12%***5%***
Hopkinton town, Middlesex County4%**15%***21%***3%***
Hudson town, Middlesex County3%**7%**9%***8%**
Lexington town, Middlesex County3%*14%***22%***11%**
Lincoln town, Middlesex County1%***23%***100%***4%***
Littleton town, Middlesex County3%***25%***37%***1%***
Marlborough city, Middlesex County3%**10%**16%***11%**
Maynard town, Middlesex County2%***18%***56%***6%***
Medfield town, Norfolk County3%**7%***20%***8%***
Medway town, Norfolk County2%***5%***18%***11%***
Milford town, Worcester County3%***8%**16%**8%**
Millis town, Norfolk County5%***2%***0%***4%***
Natick town, Middlesex County1%**12%**27%***9%**
Needham town, Norfolk County2%**2%***8%***4%***
Sherborn town, Middlesex County2%***7%***0%***3%***
Southborough town, Worcester County4%***7%***17%***1%***
Stow town, Middlesex County3%***14%***0%***1%***
Sudbury town, Middlesex County1%***10%***30%***3%***
Walpole town, Norfolk County3%***13%**0%***3%***
Waltham city, Middlesex County4%**12%*20%*9%**
Wayland town, Middlesex County2%***8%***11%***9%***
Wellesley town, Norfolk County2%*23%***21%***14%***
Westborough town, Worcester County3%**6%***23%***7%**
Westford town, Middlesex County1%**7%***19%***1%***
Weston town, Middlesex County4%***14%***20%***4%***
Westwood town, Norfolk County2%**12%***2%***2%***

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Data not shown where sample sizes were too small. Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%.




Number of People Living in Poverty by Education Level, 2018-22
Bachelor's degree or higherHigh school graduate, GED, or alternativeLess than high school diplomaSome college or associate's degree
United States3,368,325.08,003,553.05,683,249.06,062,192.0
Massachusetts88,539.0137,944.099,019.097,895.0
Region40,304.049,969.030,445.036,551.0
Middlesex County22,769.023,375.013,504.015,918.0
Norfolk County8,783.08,604.04,844.08,055.0
Worcester County8,752.017,990.012,097.012,578.0
Acton town, Middlesex County194.0***57.0***12.0***234.0***
Ashland town, Middlesex County118.0***264.0***32.0***210.0***
Bedford town, Middlesex County224.0**115.0***39.0***123.0***
Bellingham town, Norfolk County105.0***212.0**72.0***77.0***
Boxborough town, Middlesex County41.0***8.0***0.0***25.0***
Carlisle town, Middlesex County69.0***14.0***0.0***53.0***
Concord town, Middlesex County98.0***25.0***36.0***73.0***
Dedham town, Norfolk County299.0***244.0**95.0***187.0**
Dover town, Norfolk County58.0***0.0***0.0***9.0***
Framingham city, Middlesex County984.0*1,402.0*1,223.0*997.0*
Franklin town, Norfolk County207.0***275.0**57.0***470.0***
Groton town, Middlesex County41.0***125.0***71.0***133.0***
Harvard town, Worcester County111.0***7.0***2.0***79.0***
Holliston town, Middlesex County111.0***109.0***45.0***96.0***
Hopkinton town, Middlesex County328.0**163.0***35.0***43.0***
Hudson town, Middlesex County193.0**190.0**127.0***284.0**
Lexington town, Middlesex County528.0*161.0***105.0***212.0**
Lincoln town, Middlesex County48.0***55.0***63.0***28.0***
Littleton town, Middlesex County116.0***320.0***101.0***19.0***
Marlborough city, Middlesex County378.0**734.0**463.0***721.0**
Maynard town, Middlesex County118.0***195.0***155.0***90.0***
Medfield town, Norfolk County158.0**38.0***41.0***88.0***
Medway town, Norfolk County128.0***61.0***56.0***231.0***
Milford town, Worcester County257.0***470.0**451.0**411.0**
Millis town, Norfolk County131.0***32.0***1.0***61.0***
Natick town, Middlesex County270.0**412.0**143.0***315.0**
Needham town, Norfolk County416.0**21.0***32.0***88.0***
Sherborn town, Middlesex County52.0***12.0***0.0***8.0***
Southborough town, Worcester County177.0***46.0***39.0***13.0***
Stow town, Middlesex County110.0***67.0***0.0***8.0***
Sudbury town, Middlesex County98.0***74.0***31.0***26.0***
Walpole town, Norfolk County276.0***339.0**2.0***116.0***
Waltham city, Middlesex County873.0**938.0*657.0*666.0**
Wayland town, Middlesex County150.0***38.0***19.0***116.0***
Wellesley town, Norfolk County309.0*135.0***45.0***164.0***
Westborough town, Worcester County267.0**96.0***117.0***158.0**
Westford town, Middlesex County130.0**116.0***49.0***21.0***
Weston town, Middlesex County224.0***62.0***25.0***29.0***
Westwood town, Norfolk County164.0**108.0***8.0***36.0***

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Data not shown where sample sizes were too small. Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%.




People Living in Poverty by Education Level, 2008-12
Bachelor's degree or higherHigh school graduate, GED, or alternativeLess than high school diplomaSome college or associate's degree
United States4%13%26%9%
Massachusetts4%11%24%8%
Region3%10%20%7%
Middlesex County4%10%20%7%
Norfolk County3%9%16%6%
Worcester County3%10%23%7%
Acton town, Middlesex County2%**5%***5%***3%***
Ashland town, Middlesex County2%***9%***7%***7%***
Bedford town, Middlesex County1%***5%***35%***9%***
Bellingham town, Norfolk County1%***3%***12%***1%***
Boxborough town, Middlesex County2%***0%***0%***5%***
Carlisle town, Middlesex County6%***8%***0%***4%***
Concord town, Middlesex County2%**1%***7%***9%***
Dedham town, Norfolk County2%**7%**12%***6%**
Dover town, Norfolk County1%***0%***17%***0%***
Framingham city, Middlesex County3%*13%*21%*5%*
Franklin town, Norfolk County1%**9%**19%***4%***
Groton town, Middlesex County3%***2%***8%***8%***
Harvard town, Worcester County4%***28%***14%***6%***
Holliston town, Middlesex County1%***7%***3%***7%***
Hopkinton town, Middlesex County1%***4%***14%***2%***
Hudson town, Middlesex County3%***9%**13%***8%**
Lexington town, Middlesex County2%**14%**16%***19%**
Lincoln town, Middlesex County2%***17%***18%***9%***
Littleton town, Middlesex County2%***12%***24%***3%***
Marlborough city, Middlesex County4%**8%*17%**6%**
Maynard town, Middlesex County3%***7%***11%***5%***
Medfield town, Norfolk County1%***10%***43%***5%***
Medway town, Norfolk County1%***10%**16%***1%***
Milford town, Worcester County2%**13%*21%**6%**
Millis town, Norfolk County1%***9%***7%***2%***
Natick town, Middlesex County2%**4%***34%**5%**
Needham town, Norfolk County2%**22%***15%***8%**
Sherborn town, Middlesex County2%***6%***0%***4%***
Southborough town, Worcester County1%***4%***25%***1%***
Stow town, Middlesex County2%***3%***0%***1%***
Sudbury town, Middlesex County1%***6%***20%***1%***
Walpole town, Norfolk County2%***5%**10%***4%**
Waltham city, Middlesex County6%*10%*20%*9%*
Wayland town, Middlesex County3%**6%***21%***2%***
Wellesley town, Norfolk County2%**13%***28%***4%***
Westborough town, Worcester County2%***3%***21%***2%***
Westford town, Middlesex County1%***3%***10%***1%***
Weston town, Middlesex County4%**6%***0%***5%***
Westwood town, Norfolk County2%**7%***7%***5%***

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Data not shown where sample sizes were too small. Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%.




Number of People Living in Poverty by Education Level, 2008-12
Bachelor's degree or higherHigh school graduate, GED, or alternativeLess than high school diplomaSome college or associate's degree
United States2,382,587.07,404,854.07,413,314.05,593,461.0
Massachusetts66,707.0124,056.0113,262.086,829.0
Region32,221.044,721.032,649.030,968.0
Middlesex County20,058.021,040.015,852.014,280.0
Norfolk County6,304.08,496.04,355.06,377.0
Worcester County5,859.015,185.012,442.010,311.0
Acton town, Middlesex County241.0**63.0***17.0***59.0***
Ashland town, Middlesex County135.0***201.0***30.0***147.0***
Bedford town, Middlesex County80.0***50.0***50.0***162.0***
Bellingham town, Norfolk County48.0***96.0***112.0***42.0***
Boxborough town, Middlesex County45.0***0.0***0.0***25.0***
Carlisle town, Middlesex County152.0***12.0***0.0***18.0***
Concord town, Middlesex County202.0**15.0***10.0***139.0***
Dedham town, Norfolk County148.0**267.0**103.0***228.0**
Dover town, Norfolk County33.0***0.0***9.0***0.0***
Framingham city, Middlesex County667.0*1,450.0*951.0*522.0*
Franklin town, Norfolk County104.0**375.0**100.0***175.0***
Groton town, Middlesex County148.0***14.0***19.0***80.0***
Harvard town, Worcester County101.0***74.0***13.0***32.0***
Holliston town, Middlesex County36.0***94.0***7.0***136.0***
Hopkinton town, Middlesex County67.0***54.0***25.0***34.0***
Hudson town, Middlesex County173.0***338.0**205.0***261.0**
Lexington town, Middlesex County260.0**240.0**90.0***370.0**
Lincoln town, Middlesex County54.0***30.0***7.0***55.0***
Littleton town, Middlesex County66.0***113.0***50.0***38.0***
Marlborough city, Middlesex County386.0**647.0*472.0**369.0**
Maynard town, Middlesex County124.0***123.0***66.0***67.0***
Medfield town, Norfolk County30.0***105.0***82.0***70.0***
Medway town, Norfolk County28.0***160.0**57.0***28.0***
Milford town, Worcester County157.0**671.0*392.0**295.0**
Millis town, Norfolk County14.0***109.0***16.0***25.0***
Natick town, Middlesex County322.0**158.0***249.0**192.0**
Needham town, Norfolk County207.0**320.0***64.0***223.0**
Sherborn town, Middlesex County40.0***9.0***0.0***10.0***
Southborough town, Worcester County47.0***34.0***52.0***11.0***
Stow town, Middlesex County50.0***15.0***0.0***14.0***
Sudbury town, Middlesex County58.0***40.0***46.0***12.0***
Walpole town, Norfolk County162.0***184.0**63.0***175.0**
Waltham city, Middlesex County1,112.0*1,031.0*878.0*710.0*
Wayland town, Middlesex County165.0**49.0***34.0***28.0***
Wellesley town, Norfolk County236.0**134.0***85.0***56.0***
Westborough town, Worcester County149.0***50.0***142.0***54.0***
Westford town, Middlesex County82.0***64.0***37.0***34.0***
Weston town, Middlesex County215.0**32.0***0.0***32.0***
Westwood town, Norfolk County156.0**80.0***14.0***76.0***

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Data not shown where sample sizes were too small. Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%.




INDICATORS REGIONAL TREND
Early Prenatal Care by Mother's Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Children Living in Poverty Maintaining
Children Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Single-Parent Families Increasing
Single-Parent Families by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Disengaged Youth Decreasing
Reports of Domestic Violence Increasing
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Establishments Increasing
Households Without Vehicles Maintaining
Means of Transportation to Work Not Applicable
Households With Internet Access Increasing
Voter Participation Rate Increasing
Average Charitable Contribution Maintaining
People Without Health Insurance Decreasing
Drug Poisoning Mortality Rate Increasing
Crimes Against People Decreasing
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Change in Total Population Increasing
Change in Population by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Foreign-Born Population Increasing
Language Diversity Increasing
Population by Age Not Applicable
Change in Population by Age/Gender Not Applicable
Seniors Living Alone Decreasing
People with Disabilities Maintaining
Change in Total Jobs by Sector Not Applicable
Business Ownership by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Unemployment Rate Maintaining
Share of Workers who are Professionals, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Average Salary by Sector Not Applicable
High-Tech Jobs Decreasing
Female to Male Earnings Ratio Maintaining
Prekindergarten Participation Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 3 English, by Student Group Not Applicable
School Spending Per Student Maintaining
Student Performance on Grade 8 Math by Student Group Not Applicable
Chronically Absent Students Increasing
High School Cohort Graduation Rate by Student Group Not Applicable
Education Levels of Adults Not Applicable
College Admission Rate, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Education Levels of Adults, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
People Living in Poverty Maintaining
People Living in Poverty, by Education Level Not Applicable
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Households Receiving Temporary Assistance Maintaining
Participation in Food Assistance by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Median Household Income Maintaining
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Living Wage Not Applicable
80/20 Income Ratio Maintaining
Access to Financial Services, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Homeownership Rates Maintaining
Homeownership Rates, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Cost of Homeownership Increasing
Cost of Homeownership, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Cost of Rent Not Applicable
Cost of Rent, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Homelessness Increasing
Early Prenatal Care by Mother's Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Children Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Single-Parent Families by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Change in Population by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Business Ownership by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Share of Workers who are Professionals, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 3 English, by Student Group Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 8 Math by Student Group Not Applicable
High School Cohort Graduation Rate by Student Group Not Applicable
College Admission Rate, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Education Levels of Adults, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Participation in Food Assistance by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Access to Financial Services, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Homeownership Rates, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Cost of Homeownership, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Cost of Rent, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable


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