Financial Security
People Living in Poverty, by Education Level

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People Living in Poverty by Education Level, 2016-20

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 2020, the threshold for a four-person family with two children was $26,246.

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 2016-20, 20% of MetroWest residents who lacked a high school diploma lived below the poverty line, a decrease of 1 percentage point from 2011-15. This was a bit lower than the statewide rate of 23% and the national figure of 24%.

During the same period, 11% of MetroWest residents who had a high school diploma lived in poverty, compared to 7% 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, 2016-20
Bachelor's degree or higherHigh school graduate, GED, or alternativeLess than high school diplomaSome college or associate's degree
United States4%14%24%9%
Massachusetts4%12%23%8%
Region3%11%20%7%
Middlesex County4%11%18%7%
Norfolk County3%10%16%7%
Worcester County3%11%25%8%
Acton town, Middlesex County2%***4%***6%***13%**
Ashland town, Middlesex County3%***10%***9%***6%***
Bedford town, Middlesex County2%***7%***7%***4%***
Bellingham town, Norfolk County1%***4%***14%***5%***
Boxborough town, Middlesex County2%***7%***0%***7%***
Carlisle town, Middlesex County2%***10%***31%***10%***
Concord town, Middlesex County1%***7%***8%***5%***
Dedham town, Norfolk County3%**9%**12%***5%**
Dover town, Norfolk County1%***0%***0%***0%***
Framingham city, Middlesex County3%*15%*19%*6%*
Franklin town, Norfolk County2%***10%**11%***8%***
Groton town, Middlesex County2%***9%***37%***4%***
Harvard town, Worcester County1%***1%***4%***4%***
Holliston town, Middlesex County1%***5%***20%***4%***
Hopkinton town, Middlesex County3%***8%***12%***4%***
Hudson town, Middlesex County2%***5%**12%***5%***
Lexington town, Middlesex County2%*8%***19%***13%**
Lincoln town, Middlesex County2%***16%***100%***2%***
Littleton town, Middlesex County1%***27%***7%***3%***
Marlborough city, Middlesex County2%***7%**18%***10%**
Maynard town, Middlesex County3%***10%***35%***3%***
Medfield town, Norfolk County2%***9%***3%***7%***
Medway town, Norfolk County5%***9%***16%***11%***
Milford town, Worcester County2%***7%**21%**6%**
Millis town, Norfolk County2%***1%***0%***0%***
Natick town, Middlesex County2%**6%**16%***6%**
Needham town, Norfolk County2%**4%***7%***4%***
Sherborn town, Middlesex County4%***10%***0%***5%***
Southborough town, Worcester County2%***10%***9%***11%***
Stow town, Middlesex County2%***5%***0%***2%***
Sudbury town, Middlesex County2%**3%***22%***1%***
Walpole town, Norfolk County3%***9%**2%***2%***
Waltham city, Middlesex County4%*10%*22%**8%*
Wayland town, Middlesex County2%***7%***14%***7%***
Wellesley town, Norfolk County2%*12%***22%***11%**
Westborough town, Worcester County2%***6%***21%***6%***
Westford town, Middlesex County1%***6%***27%***1%***
Weston town, Middlesex County7%**9%***35%***7%***
Westwood town, Norfolk County2%**8%***5%***3%***

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, 2016-20
Bachelor's degree or higherHigh school graduate, GED, or alternativeLess than high school diplomaSome college or associate's degree
United States3,122,654.07,742,041.05,938,811.05,973,583.0
Massachusetts83,231.0128,974.096,208.091,568.0
Region37,922.045,866.029,147.033,039.0
Middlesex County22,284.021,476.012,709.014,259.0
Norfolk County8,310.08,203.04,450.06,716.0
Worcester County7,328.016,187.011,988.012,064.0
Acton town, Middlesex County231.0***42.0***33.0***279.0**
Ashland town, Middlesex County224.0***194.0***43.0***137.0***
Bedford town, Middlesex County112.0***66.0***24.0***59.0***
Bellingham town, Norfolk County62.0***115.0***74.0***158.0***
Boxborough town, Middlesex County62.0***21.0***0.0***43.0***
Carlisle town, Middlesex County47.0***17.0***12.0***54.0***
Concord town, Middlesex County119.0***61.0***17.0***53.0***
Dedham town, Norfolk County292.0**277.0**94.0***164.0**
Dover town, Norfolk County21.0***0.0***0.0***0.0***
Framingham city, Middlesex County785.0*1,530.0*885.0*598.0*
Franklin town, Norfolk County239.0***356.0**66.0***396.0***
Groton town, Middlesex County89.0***97.0***88.0***43.0***
Harvard town, Worcester County37.0***4.0***3.0***21.0***
Holliston town, Middlesex County39.0***62.0***67.0***81.0***
Hopkinton town, Middlesex County242.0***97.0***36.0***63.0***
Hudson town, Middlesex County149.0***146.0**176.0***149.0***
Lexington town, Middlesex County406.0*82.0***51.0***213.0**
Lincoln town, Middlesex County64.0***41.0***45.0***14.0***
Littleton town, Middlesex County42.0***303.0***17.0***42.0***
Marlborough city, Middlesex County184.0***507.0**465.0***698.0**
Maynard town, Middlesex County143.0***132.0***86.0***59.0***
Medfield town, Norfolk County94.0***47.0***2.0***90.0***
Medway town, Norfolk County247.0***123.0***60.0***192.0***
Milford town, Worcester County182.0***396.0**521.0**330.0**
Millis town, Norfolk County54.0***16.0***1.0***3.0***
Natick town, Middlesex County265.0**212.0**124.0***256.0**
Needham town, Norfolk County370.0**63.0***28.0***88.0***
Sherborn town, Middlesex County105.0***13.0***0.0***14.0***
Southborough town, Worcester County105.0***74.0***24.0***114.0***
Stow town, Middlesex County85.0***18.0***0.0***14.0***
Sudbury town, Middlesex County166.0**33.0***24.0***14.0***
Walpole town, Norfolk County318.0***262.0**18.0***85.0***
Waltham city, Middlesex County787.0*769.0*766.0**661.0*
Wayland town, Middlesex County158.0***44.0***25.0***86.0***
Wellesley town, Norfolk County276.0*91.0***50.0***136.0**
Westborough town, Worcester County183.0***100.0***94.0***111.0***
Westford town, Middlesex County113.0***116.0***84.0***23.0***
Weston town, Middlesex County404.0**54.0***22.0***27.0***
Westwood town, Norfolk County133.0**78.0***17.0***47.0***

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, 2011-15
Bachelor's degree or higherHigh school graduate, GED, or alternativeLess than high school diplomaSome college or associate's degree
United States4%14%28%10%
Massachusetts4%12%25%9%
Region4%11%21%7%
Middlesex County4%11%19%8%
Norfolk County3%9%19%6%
Worcester County4%13%25%8%
Acton town, Middlesex County3%**18%**9%***5%***
Ashland town, Middlesex County2%***5%***16%***4%***
Bedford town, Middlesex County2%***9%***29%***7%***
Bellingham town, Norfolk County0%***6%**13%***0%***
Boxborough town, Middlesex County2%***11%***0%***4%***
Carlisle town, Middlesex County3%***0%***0%***2%***
Concord town, Middlesex County3%**15%***31%***14%***
Dedham town, Norfolk County3%**5%**21%***5%*
Dover town, Norfolk County0%***0%***0%***3%***
Framingham city, Middlesex County4%*16%*23%*7%*
Franklin town, Norfolk County0%***7%***29%**4%***
Groton town, Middlesex County4%***4%***0%***4%***
Harvard town, Worcester County5%***25%***39%***7%***
Holliston town, Middlesex County1%***7%***11%***6%***
Hopkinton town, Middlesex County2%***3%***12%***2%***
Hudson town, Middlesex County3%***7%**11%***6%**
Lexington town, Middlesex County2%**9%***9%***16%**
Lincoln town, Middlesex County2%***13%***49%***5%***
Littleton town, Middlesex County3%***6%***13%***4%***
Marlborough city, Middlesex County4%**8%*14%**6%**
Maynard town, Middlesex County10%***12%***6%***2%***
Medfield town, Norfolk County2%***10%***41%***3%***
Medway town, Norfolk County1%***5%***11%***4%***
Milford town, Worcester County3%**14%*24%**7%*
Millis town, Norfolk County2%***11%***13%***4%***
Natick town, Middlesex County2%**8%**13%***6%**
Needham town, Norfolk County2%**10%***14%***7%**
Sherborn town, Middlesex County1%***5%***0%***4%***
Southborough town, Worcester County2%***6%***15%***3%***
Stow town, Middlesex County1%***7%***3%***12%***
Sudbury town, Middlesex County1%**2%***5%***4%***
Walpole town, Norfolk County1%***6%***13%***3%***
Waltham city, Middlesex County5%*11%*18%*7%*
Wayland town, Middlesex County4%*10%***27%***9%***
Wellesley town, Norfolk County2%*11%***28%***8%**
Westborough town, Worcester County2%**10%***17%***5%***
Westford town, Middlesex County1%***6%***33%***4%***
Weston town, Middlesex County3%**3%***37%***5%***
Westwood town, Norfolk County1%***4%***0%***3%***

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, 2011-15
Bachelor's degree or higherHigh school graduate, GED, or alternativeLess than high school diplomaSome college or associate's degree
United States2,841,505.08,202,057.07,473,848.06,400,208.0
Massachusetts79,671.0138,578.0114,163.096,824.0
Region37,466.050,894.034,006.033,776.0
Middlesex County22,986.022,790.015,331.015,682.0
Norfolk County7,115.08,787.05,228.06,175.0
Worcester County7,365.019,317.013,447.011,919.0
Acton town, Middlesex County302.0**163.0**33.0***113.0***
Ashland town, Middlesex County115.0***98.0***77.0***102.0***
Bedford town, Middlesex County119.0***75.0***45.0***124.0***
Bellingham town, Norfolk County17.0***223.0**102.0***17.0***
Boxborough town, Middlesex County63.0***28.0***0.0***20.0***
Carlisle town, Middlesex County78.0***0.0***0.0***7.0***
Concord town, Middlesex County294.0**149.0***37.0***204.0***
Dedham town, Norfolk County219.0**198.0**183.0***218.0*
Dover town, Norfolk County9.0***0.0***0.0***13.0***
Framingham city, Middlesex County933.0*1,683.0*1,180.0*690.0*
Franklin town, Norfolk County34.0***270.0***232.0**182.0***
Groton town, Middlesex County204.0***36.0***0.0***54.0***
Harvard town, Worcester County133.0***72.0***19.0***37.0***
Holliston town, Middlesex County43.0***81.0***31.0***125.0***
Hopkinton town, Middlesex County128.0***37.0***25.0***42.0***
Hudson town, Middlesex County152.0***260.0**150.0***210.0**
Lexington town, Middlesex County320.0**140.0***59.0***349.0**
Lincoln town, Middlesex County59.0***34.0***49.0***35.0***
Littleton town, Middlesex County120.0***64.0***14.0***52.0***
Marlborough city, Middlesex County425.0**591.0*430.0**388.0**
Maynard town, Middlesex County339.0***210.0***22.0***38.0***
Medfield town, Norfolk County82.0***96.0***61.0***39.0***
Medway town, Norfolk County58.0***77.0***39.0***73.0***
Milford town, Worcester County210.0**729.0*386.0**406.0*
Millis town, Norfolk County42.0***127.0***15.0***54.0***
Natick town, Middlesex County320.0**243.0**80.0***216.0**
Needham town, Norfolk County276.0**168.0***50.0***173.0**
Sherborn town, Middlesex County25.0***11.0***0.0***9.0***
Southborough town, Worcester County85.0***45.0***23.0***30.0***
Stow town, Middlesex County44.0***49.0***1.0***89.0***
Sudbury town, Middlesex County136.0**13.0***7.0***54.0***
Walpole town, Norfolk County129.0***179.0***118.0***134.0***
Waltham city, Middlesex County1,061.0*1,011.0*751.0*592.0*
Wayland town, Middlesex County272.0*49.0***34.0***85.0***
Wellesley town, Norfolk County274.0*87.0***62.0***108.0**
Westborough town, Worcester County205.0**170.0***78.0***103.0***
Westford town, Middlesex County84.0***109.0***126.0***98.0***
Weston town, Middlesex County193.0**14.0***28.0***29.0***
Westwood town, Norfolk County88.0***47.0***0.0***38.0***

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 Maintaining
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Establishments Increasing
Households Without Vehicles Maintaining
Means of Transportation to Work Not Applicable
Households With Internet Access Not Applicable
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 Increasing
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 Maintaining
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 Increasing
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 Increasing
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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