Top photo: Terageorge, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
By Jenna Caldwell, The Boston Report. Updated Oct. 27, 2026.
Worcester is the second-largest city in New England, behind only Boston. The 2020 Census counted 206,518 residents. It is the seat of Worcester County and home to colleges including the College of the Holy Cross, Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and UMass Chan Medical School.
Worcester uses a council-manager form of government. An 11-member City Council, which includes the mayor, sets policy, and an appointed city manager runs city departments. Our Worcester coverage follows council votes on streets, housing and services, and this page links the official resources residents use most.
- Population (2020 Census): 206,518
- Getting there: The MBTA Framingham/Worcester Line runs between Union Station in Worcester and Boston’s South Station. Local buses are run by the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA).
Latest Worcester news
- Worcester Council Seeks Faster Street Repairs, Drone Forum Oct 27, 2026
- Worcester Winter Sports: Holy Cross Basketball and Railers Home Games Oct 26, 2026
- Worcester to Boston by Train: New Fall Schedule, Fastest Trip and Fares Oct 26, 2026
- Worcester Homeowners: $5.5M Lead Grant, New Recycling and Parking Rules Oct 26, 2026
- Worcester Commuter Rail Schedule to Boston: Fall 2026 Train Times, Fares and Parking Oct 22, 2026
- Worcester Winter Parking Ban 2026-27: Odd-Side Rule, Free Garages, Alerts Oct 22, 2026
- Worcester Leaf Collection 2026: Schedule, Yard Waste Drop-Off and Holiday Trash Oct 22, 2026
Official Worcester resources
- City of Worcester (official website)
- Worcester City Council
- Worcester 311
- Worcester Public Schools
- Worcester Public Library
- Election Commission
Related Boston Report guides
- Massachusetts election records
- All Boston-area news
- Boston City Hall decisions tracker
- Best restaurants in Boston
- Boston weather
- MBTA guide
- All Local Towns pages
Worcester FAQ
How do I get from Boston to Worcester by train?
Take the MBTA Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line from South Station or Back Bay to Union Station in Worcester.
Who runs Worcester city government?
Worcester has a council-manager government: an 11-member City Council that includes the mayor, and an appointed city manager.
How do I report a city problem in Worcester?
Use Worcester 311 by phone or online through the city website.
Sources
Have a local news tip? Email contact@thebostonreport.com.