Living in Shirley, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Shirley · Census data 2020–2024
Shirley has 6,976 residents with a median age of 44.3. The median household income is $122,365 (18% higher than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $427,600, the median rent is $1,481/month.
Shirley at a glance
- Population
- 6,976
- Median age
- 44.3State: 40
- Median household income
- $122,365State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $427,600State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $1,481/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 77.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36.7%
- Average commute
- 40 min
Is Shirley a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 18% higher than the Massachusetts median; home values 24% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 9.9%.
Cons: An average commute of 40 minutes; unemployment of 5.3%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Shirley
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Shirley the median home value is $427,600, 29% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,481 per month, which is 34.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,645 a month in housing costs.
Shirley median household income
The median household income in Shirley is $122,365 and the income per person is $49,118. 9.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Shirley: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,413
- Owner-occupied
- 77.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 22.6%
- Vacant
- 5.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1984
- Average household size
- 2.48
Shirley demographics
- Population
- 6,976
- Median age
- 44.3
- Under 18
- 16.4%
- 65 and older
- 19.8%
- Households
- 2,277
- Foreign-born
- 8%
- Veterans
- 7.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Shirley ›
Education in Shirley
36.7% of adults 25 and older in Shirley have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 14.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Shirley
- Unemployment rate
- 5.3%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 40 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 21%
- Drive alone
- 68.5%
- Public transit
- 2.9%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.9%
Shirley vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shirley | 6,976 | $122,365 | $427,600 | $1,481 |
| Devens | 1,723 | $189,250 | $556,800 | $1,500 |
| Ayer | 8,645 | $101,875 | $463,800 | $1,415 |
| Lunenburg | 11,902 | $112,828 | $463,900 | $1,974 |
| Groton | 11,390 | $192,958 | $743,400 | $1,458 |
| Harvard | 6,927 | $213,996 | $833,600 | $1,321 |
| Lancaster | 8,606 | $134,833 | $519,100 | $2,338 |
| Pepperell | 11,663 | $124,073 | $482,100 | $1,295 |
| Townsend | 9,100 | $121,528 | $433,200 | $1,469 |
More for people moving to Shirley
Shirley ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Shirley: FAQ
What is the median household income in Shirley, MA?
The median household income in Shirley is $122,365, 18% higher than the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Shirley?
The median home value in Shirley is $427,600, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Shirley?
The median gross rent in Shirley is $1,481 per month, about 34.3% of household income.
Is Shirley, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 18% higher than the Massachusetts median; home values 24% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 9.9%. Minuses: an average commute of 40 minutes; unemployment of 5.3%.
What is the median age in Shirley?
The median age in Shirley is 44.3 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Shirley?
The average commute to work in Shirley is 40 minutes; 21% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Shirley?
The unemployment rate in Shirley is 5.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Shirley?
36.7% of adults in Shirley have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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