Shirley is a census-designated place (CDP) located in the town of Shirley in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 1,427.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.5 km² (1.4 mi²). 3.5 km² (1.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.47% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 1,427 people, 632 households, and 343 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 408.1/km² (1,059.4/mi²). There are 664 housing units at an average density of 189.9 persons/km² (493.0 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP is 92.15% White, 3.99% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.82% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 632 households out of which 26.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% are married couples living together, 10.3% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 45.7% are non-families. 38.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.26 and the average family size is 3.08.

In the CDP the population is spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP is $40,956, and the median income for a family is $56,950. Males have a median income of $40,742 versus $32,143 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $22,256. 6.2% of the population and 5.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 4.5% are under the age of 18 and 0.0% are 65 or older.