MetroWest Area
Based on the 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates, approximately 19,859 veterans live in the 36 MetroWest cities and towns, including 1,358 women veterans. The MetroWest area covers parts of Middlesex County in Northeast Mass, Norfolk County in Southeast Mass, and Worcester County in Central Mass. This page includes local events and directories of veterans’ services; VA-accredited representatives, agents, and attorneys; VA healthcare facilities; veterans posts and auxiliaries; elder services; and veteran census and housing data for the MetroWest region.
When you submit events, use metrowest and the regional tags so they automatically show up on the MetroWest and Northeast, Southeast, and Central regional pages as appropriate. The listing below has links to see events at the city and town level. As long as you include the city or town where your event is taking place within the event description, it will appear in the relevant local listing.
Local Event Listings
Local Recovery Meetings
The mission of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans’ Services (EOVS) is to act as the primary advocate on behalf of all the Commonwealth’s veterans. The Office provides outreach and support through various programs. EOVS offers assistance to eligible veterans and their surviving spouses through the MassVets Financial Benefits Program, administered by local veterans’ services.
Local Veterans Services
District Veterans Services
Veterans may use the Mass Vet Benefit Calculator to see what they may qualify for and contact their local veterans’ services office to apply. MGL Chapter 115 requires each town/city have a veterans’ agent to administer these benefits, but two or more contiguous towns can also appoint someone to serve as veterans’ agent and form Veterans’ Services Districts. Many municipal veterans’ services office also have VA-accredited staff to assist with federal benefit claims.
Office Hours for Veterans Benefits
VA-Accredited Representatives, Agents & Attorneys
The directory below includes VA-accredited representatives, agents, and attorneys based in MetroWest cities and towns from the VA Office of the General Counsel (OGC) Accreditation Search Tool, updated on a weekly basis. Accreditation ensures VA claimants receive qualified assistance aligned with VA Standards of Conduct. Attorney listings also include available official state bar data, license status, registration dates, and disciplinary history, updated on a monthly basis.
MetroWest VA Healthcare Facilities
MetroWest area veterans are served by the VA Bedford, VA Boston, and VA Central Western Massachusetts healthcare systems. VA Boston’s Framingham outpatient clinic, a Worcester Vet Center satellite location in Framingham, and an access point for the Brockton Vet Center in Holliston are located in the MetroWest area. Anyone who has served in the military is encouraged to apply to determine their eligibility and Priority Group. Some veterans are exempt from co-pays.
Independence Hall
Located at 59 South Street in Shrewsbury, Independence Hall is a specialized clinical facility operated by Veterans Inc. This 22-acre campus functions as a licensed treatment facility providing inpatient substance abuse treatment, clinical stabilization services, and mental health counseling. The facility offers intensive outpatient therapy, primary medical care, and relapse prevention programming tailored to veterans and the general public. To learn more or discuss clinical admissions at Independence Hall, veterans can click here or call (508) 845-6176.
Veterans Posts & Auxiliaries
The Veterans Posts and Auxiliaries directory includes information about the VFW, American Legion, Italian American War Veterans, and AMVETS Posts, Marine Corps League Detachments, and DAV Chapters based in MetroWest cities and towns, as well as information about their auxiliaries and other affiliates.
Posts
Auxiliaries
Elder Services in the MetroWest Area
Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) are private, non-profit agencies established under MGL Chapter 19A. ASAPs provide direct and protective services, including information and referrals; interdisciplinary case management; intake and assessment; developing, implementing, and monitoring service plans; reassessing needs; and investigating reports of elder abuse and neglect.
Aging Services Access Points
Councils on Aging
Councils on Aging (COAs) are municipal agencies that provide local outreach, social and health services, advocacy, information and referral for older adults, their families, and caregivers. COAs and Senior Centers serve as advocates and links to support services for elders, families, and caregivers. They offer outreach, transportation, meals, health screenings, health insurance counseling, and life-long learning, social, fitness, wellness, and recreation activities.
MassOptions is a service of the Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS) that can also help older adults, people with disabilities, and family members or caregivers identify aging and disability services and connect to those that can meet their needs. Call (800) 243-4636 or click here to complete a referral.
MetroWest Veterans Census Data
Based on the 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates, approximately 19,859 veterans live in the 36 MetroWest cities and towns covered by this field guide. Veterans make up about 3.9 percent of civilian adults age 18 and older, or 3 percent of the total population.
Women account for approximately 6.8 percent of veterans in the area (1,358). Around 59 percent of veterans overall are age 65 or older (11,691), compared with 29 percent of women veterans (399). Around 75 percent of veterans served during a wartime period (14,806). An estimated 309 people are currently serving in the Armed Forces, with a 90 percent margin of error of ±160. The estimate for women serving is 0 ±32; a zero survey estimate does not establish that no women are serving.
The 2020–2024 veteran estimate for MetroWest cities and towns is 14.5 percent lower than the 2017–2021 estimate, from 23,231 to 19,859. The estimated number of women veterans is 27.8 percent higher, from 1,063 to 1,358.
These figures are based on responses to the American Community Survey. The 5-year estimates describe overlapping periods rather than individual years, and differences should be interpreted alongside their margins of error, especially for smaller population groups. These comparisons do not establish annual population change or a statistically significant trend.
If you serve veterans and are trying to learn more about their demographics, you can explore the most recent ACS 5-year estimates (most reliable) from Census Reporter for cities and towns in MetroWest at the links below:
For broader context, age, disability, veteran status, and poverty are available for Middlesex County, Norfolk County, Worcester County, and Massachusetts using ACS 1-year estimates (most current). These 1-year figures are separate from the 5-year estimates used for this page.
Age, sex, and veteran status data are also available by race and Hispanic origin. The links below cover the same 36 cities and towns using ACS 5-year estimates, with whole-county data for Middlesex, Norfolk, and Worcester Counties for broader context. These county links are not MetroWest regional totals. County releases vary by table and population group; check the release shown before making comparisons. Estimates for small groups can have substantial uncertainty; review the margins of error alongside them.
White alone: cities and towns · counties
Black or African American alone: cities and towns · counties
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: cities and towns · counties
Asian alone: cities and towns · counties
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone: cities and towns · counties
Some other race alone: cities and towns · counties
Two or more races: cities and towns · counties
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: cities and towns · counties
Hispanic or Latino: cities and towns · counties
Hispanic or Latino includes people of any race. These categories overlap and should not be added together. ACS figures are estimates, and uncertainty can be substantial for small populations. Census Reporter includes margins of error alongside the data. These census links update as new releases become available; the figures presented here use the 2020–2024 5-year estimates; the page was updated in October 2026.
Around 52 percent of veterans in MetroWest live in Middlesex County (10,301).
6 percent are women veterans (622).
78 percent served during a wartime period (7,995).
60 percent are age 65 or older (6,168), including 25 percent of women veterans (155).
Around 23 percent of veterans in MetroWest live in Norfolk County (4,571).
6.7 percent are women veterans (305).
70 percent served during a wartime period (3,183).
63 percent are age 65 or older (2,874), including 51 percent of women veterans (155).
Around 25 percent of veterans in MetroWest live in Worcester County (4,987).
8.6 percent are women veterans (431).
73 percent served during a wartime period (3,628).
53 percent are age 65 or older (2,649), including 21 percent of women veterans (89).
These county summaries count only the MetroWest municipalities: 17 in Middlesex County, 9 in Norfolk County, and 10 in Worcester County—not the whole counties. Margins of error for combined age or service categories are approximate. Wartime-period service does not necessarily mean combat service.
Housing Advisory Council
Established through Executive Orders filed in conjunction with the Affordable Homes Act, the Housing Advisory Council and Commission on Unlocking Housing Production is bringing together a broad range of stakeholders from across Massachusetts to advise the Healey-Driscoll administration on strategies to address the state’s housing challenges. A regional listening session was held in May 2024 (see the data below). If you missed them, you can still provide feedback here.
