Townsend, MA Demographics

A map of Townsend's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	747	1,056	75.7%	87.1%
Multiracial	85	65	8.6%	5.4%
Hispanic	76	48	7.7%	4.0%
Black	45	22	4.6%	1.8%
Asian	34	9	3.4%	0.7%
Native American/Other	0	13	0.0%	1.1%

Townsend, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 987, a large decrease from the 1,213 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 75.7% White, 8.6% Multiracial, 7.7% Hispanic, 4.6% Black, 3.4% Asian, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Townsend, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Townsend 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 Townsend, that probability was 23.7% in 2020 and 41.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Townsend is ranked the 227th 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). Townsend was ranked the 220th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Townsend's White Population

747 residents of Townsend, or 75.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Townsend is higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Townsend ranks 100th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Townsend's White population has declined by an estimated 29.3%. White residents' share of Townsend's population has decreased from 87.1% to 75.7%.

Townsend is more White than neighboring Fitchburg (52.4% White). Townsend is less White than neighboring Lunenburg (80% White), Pepperell (80.3% White), Shirley (89% White), and Greenville (99.1% White).

Townsend's Black Population

45 residents of Townsend, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Townsend is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Townsend ranks 123rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Townsend's Black population has grown by an estimated 104.5%. Black residents' share of Townsend's population has increased from 1.8% to 4.6%.

Townsend is more Black than neighboring Lunenburg (3.6% Black), Pepperell (1% Black), Shirley (3.1% Black), and Greenville (0% Black). Townsend is less Black than neighboring Fitchburg (6% Black).

Townsend's Asian Population

34 residents of Townsend, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Townsend is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Townsend ranks 207th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Townsend's Asian population has grown by an estimated 277.8%. Asian residents' share of Townsend's population has increased from 0.7% to 3.4%.

Townsend is more Asian than neighboring Fitchburg (2.3% Asian), Shirley (0% Asian), and Greenville (0% Asian). Townsend is less Asian than neighboring Lunenburg (3.6% Asian), and Pepperell (9% Asian).

Townsend's Hispanic Population

76 residents of Townsend, or 7.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Townsend is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Townsend ranks 131st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Townsend's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 58.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Townsend's population has increased from 4.0% to 7.7%.

Townsend is more Hispanic than neighboring Lunenburg (3.3% Hispanic), Pepperell (7% Hispanic), and Greenville (0.9% Hispanic). Townsend is less Hispanic than neighboring Fitchburg (33.5% Hispanic), and Shirley (7.9% Hispanic).

Townsend's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Townsend, 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 Townsend is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Townsend ranks 88th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Townsend's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Townsend's population has decreased from 1.1% to 0.0%.

Townsend is less Native American/Other than neighboring Pepperell (0.2% Native American/Other), and Fitchburg (0.5% Native American/Other).

Townsend's Multiracial Population

85 residents of Townsend, or 8.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Townsend is slightly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Townsend ranks 44th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Townsend's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 30.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Townsend's population has increased from 5.4% to 8.6%.

Townsend is more Multiracial than neighboring Pepperell (2.4% Multiracial), Fitchburg (5.4% Multiracial), Shirley (0% Multiracial), and Greenville (0% Multiracial). Townsend is less Multiracial than neighboring Lunenburg (9.5% 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.