Geography of Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester comprises a land area of 37.6 square miles and a water area of 1.0 square mile, which accounts for approximately 2.59% of the total area. West Boylston, Grafton, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Paxton, and Shrewsbury are the municipalities that border Worcester.

"Heart of the Commonwealth" is an idiom applied to Worcester due to its geographical proximity to the state capital of Massachusetts. Providence, Rhode Island is located 38 miles northwest of Boston, 50 miles east of Springfield, and 40 miles west of Boston.

The Blackstone River forms at the confluence of the Middle River and Mill Brook in the heart of Worcester. The submerged course of the river traverses the city center before emerging at the base of College Hill. It then flows into Millbury via Quinsigamond Village in the south. Worcester marks the starting point of the river-framing Blackstone Valley. Once a vital waterway connecting Worcester to Providence and the Eastern Seaboard, the Blackstone Canal ceased to function by the late 19th century and was largely concealed. Local organizations, such as the Canal District Business Association, have put forth proposals in recent years to restore the canal and establish Blackstone Valley National Park.

Population of Worcester

Worcester had a total population of 206,518 as of the 2020 United States Census; of this, 101,607 (49.2%) were male and 104,911 (50.8%) were female. Age-wise, 81.0% of the population was older than 18 years old, 13.6% was older than 65 years old, and 5.2% was comprised of minors under the age of five.