Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 19 min5:09 am – 8:27 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 3 min7:13 am – 4:16 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People6,976 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 44.32,277 householdsMedian household income $122,365Median home value $427,600Median rent $1,481 a month77% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $5,156 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting5.3% unemployment rate53% of adults are in the labour force, 2,984 employedMain industries: education and health care 27%, manufacturing 20%, professional and business services 17%Average commute 40 minutes69% drive alone, 7% car-pool, 3% take public transport, 21% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages37% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher89% finished high school, 15% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 88%, Spanish 6%, Russian or other Slavic 2%, French or Haitian Creole 2%5% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 83°F, lows 62°FColdest month January: highs 34°F, lows 16°F43 in of rain a year, on about 79 dayswettest month October75 in of snow a year, on about 35 days15 days above 90°F, 137 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Fitchburg Muni Ap station, 6 mi away; snow from Ashburnham
Parks and public landsMulpus Brook Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · under a mileShirley Center Cemeteryhistoric site · under a mileOxbow National Wildlife Refugenational wildlife refuge · 2.4 mi · 1,696 acresRich Tree Farmstate conservation land · under a mile · 185 acresSquannacook River Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 1.1 miMorse Conservation Areastate conservation land · 1.2 mi · 55 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes7 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.7 on 2 Oct 199436 mi away, near Hardwick, MassachusettsMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 27 Jan 200038 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively HighMiddlesex County, MA, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsIce storm Very HighRiver flooding Relatively HighLightning Relatively HighHurricane Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality82% of days had good air in 2025299 of 365 days measured65 moderate, 1 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 38, worst day 105main pollutant: ozoneSource: US EPA Air Quality Index, Middlesex County monitors, MA
Internet at home92% of households have a broadband subscription88% have cable, fibre or DSL3% rely on a mobile data plan alone8% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterShirley Water Districtserves 4,165 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 20211 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the ZIP area
Elevation329 ft100 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalHealthAlliance - Clinton Hospital Leominster Campus6.6 miPost officeShirley Post Office2.1 miTown hallShirley Municipal Building2.0 miPoliceShirley Police Department2.0 miFire stationShirley Fire Department Station 2under a mileSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 middleMiddleAyer Shirley Regional Middle School1.9 miCollegeFitchburg State University7.6 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportLaurence G Hanscom Field BED19 miMajor airportBoston Logan International Airport BOS35 miInterstateI-1905.6 miUS highwayUS 312 miAmtrakUnion Station WOR23 miRailShirleyMassachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)2.0 miCoachAyer Depot SquareGreyhound2.8 miTransit1 stop within a mileMontachusett Regional Transit (MART)Sources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 01464 ZIP area.
