Dartmouth’s population dropped slightly since the last census 10 years ago, bucking the trend of increases at both the county and state levels, according to 2020 census figures released Thursday.

The newest available census figures from 2019 also showed that Dartmouth is wealthier, older and less diverse than the state average and has fewer high school and college graduates.

Dartmouth’s population stands as 33,783, as of the 2020 census. This represents a drop of 249 from the 2010 census number of 34,032.

The figures are based on census data obtained in 2020 in a nationwide effort to count the nation’s population that is held every ten years. The figures are used in part to determine federal funding and to establish political districts. 

Dartmouth’s population reflected less diversity than on the statewide level.

Ninety percent of the population identified as white, compared to 80% across the state.

The number of census respondents identifying as Hispanic or Latino was 3.1 percent, significantly lower than the state average of 12.4 percent.

Dartmouth’s population also skewed older.

Children under 5 make up 3.2 percent of the population, less than the 5.2 percent on the state level. Young people under 18 represent 15.3 percent of the population, compared to 19.6 percent of the state, based on 2019 population estimates.

According to the 2019 estimates:

Slightly more than 20 percent of the town’s population is 65 and older, compared to 17 percent of the state.

Town households earn more than the state average. Median household income is $84,220 in Dartmouth, compared to the state average of $81,215.

A total of 6.8% of residents are living in poverty. The state average is 9.4%. 

Education levels are slightly below state averages. 

Eighty-six percent of Dartmouth respondents have high school degrees or higher, less than the 90% statewide. 

Dartmouth residents with bachelor’s degrees or higher comprise 34.6% of the population, compared to 43.7% statewide.

Nearby towns in Bristol County showed slight increases in population. Acushnet registered 256 more residents, for a total population of 10,559. Fairhaven added 51 residents, bringing its total to 15,924. Westport’s population jumped by 807 to 16,339.

In comparison, the cities in Bristol County saw significant growth. New Bedford added 6,007 residents for a total of 101,079. Fall River added 5,143 residents for a population of 94,000.

The new census figures show the state population at 7,029,917, an increase of 7.4 percent from the 2010 count of 6,547,629.