Berkshire County Demographics

A map of Berkshire County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	109,712	109,263	84.8%	84.7%
Hispanic	7,591	7,064	5.9%	5.5%
Multiracial	5,621	5,821	4.3%	4.5%
Black	3,310	4,064	2.6%	3.1%
Asian	2,458	1,999	1.9%	1.5%
Native American/Other	738	815	0.6%	0.6%

Berkshire County, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 129,430, a less than 1% change from the 129,026 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 84.8% White, 5.9% Hispanic, 4.3% Multiracial, 2.6% Black, 1.9% Asian, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Berkshire County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Berkshire is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Massachusetts overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Berkshire County, that probability was 27.7% in 2020 and 27.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Berkshire County is ranked the 11th most populous county in Massachusetts, out of 14 counties. Berkshire County was ranked the 11th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Berkshire County's White Population

109,712 residents of Berkshire County, or 84.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Berkshire County is significantly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Berkshire County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 14 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Berkshire County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Berkshire County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 84.8%.

Berkshire County is more White than neighboring Columbia County (82.4% White), Rensselaer County (78.7% White), Hampshire County (80.3% White), and Hampden County (59.3% White). Berkshire County is less White than neighboring Franklin County (87.5% White).

Berkshire County's Black Population

3,310 residents of Berkshire County, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Berkshire County is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Berkshire County ranks 11th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 14 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Berkshire County's Black population has declined by an estimated 18.6%. Black residents' share of Berkshire County's population has decreased from 3.1% to 2.6%.

Berkshire County is more Black than neighboring Hampshire County (2.5% Black), and Franklin County (1.3% Black). Berkshire County is less Black than neighboring Columbia County (3.5% Black), Rensselaer County (6.5% Black), and Hampden County (7.6% Black).

Berkshire County's Asian Population

2,458 residents of Berkshire County, or 1.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Berkshire County is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Berkshire County ranks 11th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 14 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Berkshire County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 23.0%. Asian residents' share of Berkshire County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.9%.

Berkshire County is less Asian than neighboring Columbia County (2.1% Asian), Rensselaer County (3.2% Asian), Hampshire County (5.3% Asian), Hampden County (2.5% Asian), and Franklin County (2% Asian).

Berkshire County's Hispanic Population

7,591 residents of Berkshire County, or 5.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Berkshire County is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Berkshire County ranks 9th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 14 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Berkshire County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 7.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Berkshire County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.9%.

Berkshire County is more Hispanic than neighboring Franklin County (5.4% Hispanic). Berkshire County is less Hispanic than neighboring Columbia County (6.3% Hispanic), Rensselaer County (6.2% Hispanic), Hampshire County (7.4% Hispanic), and Hampden County (27% Hispanic).

Berkshire County's Native American/Other Population

738 residents of Berkshire County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Berkshire County is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Berkshire County ranks 12th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 14 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Berkshire County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 9.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Berkshire County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Berkshire County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Hampshire County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Hampden County (0.4% Native American/Other). Berkshire County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Columbia County (0.8% Native American/Other).

Berkshire County's Multiracial Population

5,621 residents of Berkshire County, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Berkshire County is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Berkshire County ranks 8th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 14 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Berkshire County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 3.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Berkshire County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.3%.

Berkshire County is more Multiracial than neighboring Hampshire County (4.1% Multiracial), Hampden County (3.1% Multiracial), and Franklin County (3.2% Multiracial). Berkshire County is less Multiracial than neighboring Columbia County (4.8% Multiracial), and Rensselaer County (4.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.