Gardner, MA Demographics

A map of Gardner's Population by Race

Gardner, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 21,148, a less than 1% change from the 21,287 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 77.6% White, 10.7% Hispanic, 5.0% Multiracial, 4.0% Black, 2.4% Asian, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Gardner, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Gardner has become more racially diverse since 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 Gardner, that probability was 36.7% in 2020 and 38.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Gardner is ranked the 68th most populous place in Massachusetts, out of 248 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Gardner was ranked the 68th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Gardner's White Population

16,420 residents of Gardner, or 77.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Gardner is considerably higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Gardner ranks 170th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Gardner's White population has declined by an estimated 1.8%. White residents' share of Gardner's population has decreased from 78.6% to 77.6%.

Gardner is more White than neighboring South Ashburnham (75.1% White), and Fitchburg (52.4% White). Gardner is less White than neighboring Baldwinville (94.5% White), Winchendon (88.5% White), and Barre (95.4% White).

Gardner's Black Population

851 residents of Gardner, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Gardner is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Gardner ranks 68th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Gardner's Black population has grown by an estimated 21.7%. Black residents' share of Gardner's population has increased from 3.3% to 4.0%.

Gardner is more Black than neighboring South Ashburnham (2.7% Black), Baldwinville (1.3% Black), Winchendon (0.5% Black), and Barre (0% Black). Gardner is less Black than neighboring Fitchburg (6% Black).

Gardner's Asian Population

514 residents of Gardner, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Gardner is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Gardner ranks 115th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Gardner's Asian population has grown by an estimated 29.1%. Asian residents' share of Gardner's population has increased from 1.9% to 2.4%.

Gardner is more Asian than neighboring South Ashburnham (0% Asian), Baldwinville (0% Asian), Winchendon (0.8% Asian), Fitchburg (2.3% Asian), and Barre (0% Asian).

Gardner's Hispanic Population

2,256 residents of Gardner, or 10.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Gardner is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Gardner ranks 34th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Gardner's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 3.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Gardner's population has remained roughly unchanged at 10.7%.

Gardner is more Hispanic than neighboring Baldwinville (2.5% Hispanic), Winchendon (5.8% Hispanic), and Barre (0% Hispanic). Gardner is less Hispanic than neighboring South Ashburnham (18.9% Hispanic), and Fitchburg (33.5% Hispanic).

Gardner's Native American/Other Population

49 residents of Gardner, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Gardner is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Gardner ranks 123rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Gardner's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 72.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Gardner's population has decreased from 0.9% to 0.2%.

Gardner is more Native American/Other than neighboring South Ashburnham (0% Native American/Other), Baldwinville (0.1% Native American/Other), Winchendon (0% Native American/Other), and Barre (0% Native American/Other). Gardner is less Native American/Other than neighboring Fitchburg (0.5% Native American/Other).

Gardner's Multiracial Population

1,058 residents of Gardner, or 5.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Gardner is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Gardner ranks 96th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Gardner's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 12.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Gardner's population has increased from 4.4% to 5.0%.

Gardner is more Multiracial than neighboring South Ashburnham (3.3% Multiracial), Baldwinville (1.6% Multiracial), Winchendon (4.4% Multiracial), and Barre (4.6% Multiracial). Gardner is less Multiracial than neighboring Fitchburg (5.4% 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.