Massachusetts residents moving away from resort areas, toward large cities

Recently released census reports show that the five largest cities in Massachusetts have experienced growth over the last decade, according to USA Today.

The population of the state capital, Boston, reportedly grew 4.8 percent from 589,141 in 2000 to 617,594 in 2010, the source says.

The overall statewide increase was 3.1 percent, but the source reports that the state's five largest cities experienced growth above that average. The city with the highest growth was Worcester, Massachusetts which experienced a 4.9 percent increase in population.

The minority population also experienced large growth, particular for the Hispanic and Asian racial groups, whose populations increased 46 and 47 percent, respectively.

Despite all the statewide growth reported on the Census, some areas lost population. According to the source, resort areas in particular suffered, especially Cape Cod and the Berkshires, which are both popular tourist destinations.

Regarding those population declines, Fred Thys of WBUR says, "According to the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, people can't afford to live there and there are few jobs. But [Secretary of State William] Galvin says people have second homes on Cape Cod that they might not be registering as their primary residence. ... It could be a summer residency issue." 

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