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Shirley, MA

Census-designated place in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population

1,146

Land area

1.3sq mi

People per sq mi

869

ZIP codes

0

Shirley and its ZIP codes

Full map

Shirley at a glance

  • Households here earn a median of $108,494 a year, 4% more than the Massachusetts figure of $103,960.
  • A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $395,800 (30% below Massachusetts) and median rent is $982 a month.

Local data for Shirley, MA

Counts from official public data

Housing and community stats

Shirley, MA, American Community Survey 2020-2024

Full profile

Median household income

$108,494

Poverty rate

5.9%

Median home value

$395,800

Median rent

$982/mo

Homeownership

63.2%

Bachelor's or higher

47.4%

Median age

44.2

Average commute

31.5 min

Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (455), Italian Americans (150), Scottish Americans (136).

Home values and rentsIncome, education and commute

Economy and federal money

Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Middlesex County. PPP loans are for Shirley.

Details

Unemployment rate

4.0%

Aug 2026, -0.3 pts in a year

Average annual pay

$118,479

903,942 jobs, 2025

Income per person

$112,011

BEA, 2024

Federal spending

$27.4B

FY 2026, $16,790 per person

Middlesex County economyFederal spending

How people get to work

Shirley, MA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates

  • Drove alone69.6%
  • Carpooled6.4%
  • Public transit2.6%
  • Walked0.0%
  • Bicycle0.0%
  • Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
  • Worked from home21.3%

Average one-way commute: 31.5 minutes for people who do not work from home.

Environment and hazard risk

Shirley, MA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA

Full report

Natural hazard risk

Relatively High

Top: ice storm

Storm events since 1996

1,840

Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind

Flood insurance policies

4,000

1.0% of homes, county

July high / Jan low

83° / 16°F

43.4 inches of rain a year

Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone

Health statistics

Share of adults in Shirley, MA, CDC PLACES estimates

All 40 measures

Obesity

26.3%

U.S. 33.3% -7.0 pts

Diabetes

9.1%

U.S. 12.1% -3.0 pts

Smoking

11.9%

U.S. 12.8% -0.9 pts

Uninsured (18-64)

4.3%

U.S. 11.1% -6.8 pts

Cities near Shirley

NameDistanceLand area (sq mi)
DevensCensus-designated place2.6 mi6.8
AyerCensus-designated place4.2 mi1.3
LunenburgCensus-designated place4.9 mi3.8
LeominsterCity5.6 mi28.8
GrotonCensus-designated place6.9 mi1.7
South LancasterCensus-designated place7.3 mi1.3
ClintonCensus-designated place8.3 mi1.5
FitchburgCity8.4 mi27.8
TownsendCensus-designated place9.2 mi1.7
PepperellCensus-designated place9.7 mi2.1
Littleton CommonCensus-designated place9.9 mi3.5
East PepperellCensus-designated place10 mi1.4
HudsonCensus-designated place11 mi5.7
MaynardCensus-designated place13 mi5.2
MarlboroughCity14 mi20.9
South AshburnhamCensus-designated place15 mi3

Frequently asked questions

What county is Shirley, MA in?
Shirley is in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
What is the population of Shirley, MA?
About 1,146 people live in Shirley, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
What cities are near Shirley?
Nearby places include Devens (2.6 mi), Ayer (4.2 mi), Lunenburg (4.9 mi), Leominster (5.6 mi), Groton (6.9 mi).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023