11th most populous of 14
With 128,726 residents in 2024, Berkshire County ranks 11th by population among Massachusetts's 14 counties and is home to 1.8% of the state's residents.
Berkshire County is home to 128,726 people (2024 estimate) on 927 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
128,726
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
129,028
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−0.2%
2020–2024
Land area
927 mi²
2,401 km²
Population density
138.9 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
814
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
1,682
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
−868
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+734
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$72,172
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$9.2 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$76,013
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
11.4%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
40.0%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
6.2%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$305,400
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
4.0%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024128,726▼ 4%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 128,726 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 131,219 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 134,769 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | −4.5% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +538 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | +196 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 6.3 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 13.1 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Massachusetts | 11th of 14 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $72,172 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $9.2 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $76,013 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 40.0% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 6.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $305,400 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,097/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 47.3 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 57,585 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.9% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Berkshire County in context
Comparable indicators for Berkshire County, Massachusetts and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Massachusetts | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −0.2% | +1.5% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 6.3 | 9.5 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 13.1 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 5.7 | 8.8 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 138.9 | 914.8 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $72,172 | $93,607 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $76,013 | $103,960 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 10.0% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 40.0% | 47.3% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 6.2% | 18.0% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $305,400 | $562,100 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,097/month | $1,762/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 47.3 years | 40.0 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.9% | 62.5% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Did you know? Berkshire County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 134,769 in 2000 to 128,726 in 2024, a change of −4.5%, compared with +12.2% for Massachusetts as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 814 births and 1,682 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 868.
Peak population in 2000
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 134,769 in 2000. The 2024 figure is 6,043 lower.
13th in density
Berkshire County has about 138.9 residents per square mile of land, ranking 13th of 14 counties; Massachusetts averages 914.8.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $76,013 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 12th of 14 Massachusetts counties; the state median is $103,960.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $9.2 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 11th largest among 14 Massachusetts counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 1.6% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS