Petersham, MA Demographics

A map of Petersham's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	295	219	94.6%	97.3%
Multiracial	13	4	4.2%	1.8%
Hispanic	4	1	1.3%	0.4%
Black	0	1	0.0%	0.4%
Asian	0	0	0.0%	0.0%
Native American/Other	0	0	0.0%	0.0%

Petersham, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 312, a dramatic increase from the 225 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 94.6% White, 4.2% Multiracial, 1.3% Hispanic, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Asian, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Petersham, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Petersham has become considerably 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 Petersham, that probability was 5.2% in 2020 and 10.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Petersham is ranked the 243rd 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). Petersham was ranked the 245th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Petersham's White Population

295 residents of Petersham, or 94.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Petersham is significantly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Petersham ranks 1st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petersham's White population has grown by an estimated 34.7%. White residents' share of Petersham's population has decreased from 97.3% to 94.6%.

Petersham is more White than neighboring Athol (82.7% White), Orange (86.8% White), Baldwinville (94.5% White), and Gardner (77.6% White). Petersham is less White than neighboring Barre (95.4% White).

Petersham's Black Population

0 residents of Petersham, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Petersham is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Petersham ranks 223rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petersham's Black population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Petersham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Petersham is less Black than neighboring Athol (3.1% Black), Orange (0.6% Black), Baldwinville (1.3% Black), and Gardner (4% Black).

Petersham's Asian Population

0 residents of Petersham, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Petersham is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Petersham ranks 241st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petersham's Asian population has grown from 0 to an estimated 0. Asian residents' share of Petersham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Petersham is less Asian than neighboring Athol (0.4% Asian), and Gardner (2.4% Asian).

Petersham's Hispanic Population

4 residents of Petersham, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Petersham is considerably lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Petersham ranks 246th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petersham's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 300.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Petersham's population has increased from 0.4% to 1.3%.

Petersham is more Hispanic than neighboring Barre (0% Hispanic). Petersham is less Hispanic than neighboring Athol (8.1% Hispanic), Orange (9.3% Hispanic), Baldwinville (2.5% Hispanic), and Gardner (10.7% Hispanic).

Petersham's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Petersham, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Petersham is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Petersham ranks 242nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petersham's Native American/Other population has grown from 0 to an estimated 0. Native American/Other residents' share of Petersham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Petersham is less Native American/Other than neighboring Athol (0.3% Native American/Other), Orange (0.2% Native American/Other), Baldwinville (0.1% Native American/Other), and Gardner (0.2% Native American/Other).

Petersham's Multiracial Population

13 residents of Petersham, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Petersham is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Petersham ranks 242nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petersham's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 225.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Petersham's population has increased from 1.8% to 4.2%.

Petersham is more Multiracial than neighboring Orange (3.1% Multiracial), and Baldwinville (1.6% Multiracial). Petersham is less Multiracial than neighboring Barre (4.6% Multiracial), Athol (5.4% Multiracial), and Gardner (5% 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.