Some Massachusetts Towns Could Become Ghost Towns By 2100

Imagine if researchers from over 75 years ago had anticipated the Massachusetts we inhabit today.

Predicting the future is challenging because its exact outcomes are uncertain, but one study suggests that several Massachusetts communities could become ghost towns by 2100.

Population Decline in the U.S.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that about half of U.S. cities are likely to face population decline in the near future. The study was published in Nature.

In Massachusetts, the leading areas of population growth are spread across the state. Notably, towns in the northern Boston region, including Watertown, Malden, Somerville, and Cambridge, are projected to see a 63% rise in their populations, according to the research.

But which communities face the risk of becoming ghost towns? Let's find out.

These 11 Places In Massachusetts Could Be Ghost Towns By 2100

These 11 Massachusetts places could see population declines of more than 25% by 2100:

Gallery Credit: Ryan Pause

Shifts in Population Throughout Daily Activities

The authors also explored how population shifts could affect different parts of daily life, though it remains challenging to predict their precise effects.

“The implications of this massive decline in population will bring unprecedented challenges, possibly leading to disruptions in basic services like transit, clean water, electricity and internet access, simultaneously, increasing population trends in resource-intensive suburban and periurban cities will probably take away access to much needed resources in depopulating areas, further exacerbating their challenges.” - Author's Study

While not everyone agrees with the findings, some interviewees cited by Scientific American believe substantial changes could happen in the next 80 years. One individual called the population projections “pretty reckless,” even though they are based on a solid methodology.