The largest city and traditional shire town is Worcester.

The county is larger geographically than the entire state of Rhode Island even including Rhode Island's water ocean limit boundaries.

They are also the only two counties to touch both the northern and southern state lines.

There were 298,159 housing units at an average density of 197 per square mile (76/km2).

The racial makeup of the county was 89.61% White, 2.73% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 2.62% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.93% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races.

There were 326,788 housing units at an average density of 216.3 per square mile (83.5/km2).

[17] The ranking of unincorporated communities that are included on the list are reflective of the census designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns.

In Massachusetts, Sheriffs have more limited roles than most states and are responsible for corrections, court service and bailiffs and jail release programs.

[22] County Sheriffs in Massachusetts are elected to six-year terms.

The Worcester County Conservation District has countywide boundaries.

Massachusetts law allows regional compacts, traditional counties and other governmental entities.

The Massachusetts General Laws describe this relationship of county government and the options for abolishing county governments and/or chartering regional governmental compacts in subchapter 34 B.

Worcester County could exercise that option if it chooses, such as for public safety and/or preparedness due to its rather large geography, by a request to and a special act of the legislature, by local referendum, or by one of three mechanisms.

See the references for the state statute, and the League of Women Voters link.