Overall, the state's population increased by about 88,000 to about 6.4 million between the 2000 Census and July 1, 2006. Those three high-growth counties accounted for most of the jump, while the population of the rest of the state has been essentially steady.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/ar...eveal_population_boomlet_in_worcester_county/
http://www.boston.com/news/local/ar...eveal_population_boomlet_in_worcester_county/