A quick glance at the population of Charlemont shows that the city has an approximate population of 24,246. As of 2013, the population was approximately 27,000, with a majority of residents being residents of the South End. The city's primary economic factor is its manufacturing base, which declined over the years as cheaper substitutes appeared on the market. Charlemont also felt the effects of national trends away from historic urban centers, with its population declining by more than 20 percent from 1950 to 1980. Charlemont also underwent large urban renewal projects during the mid-20th century, including a massive shopping mall called the Charlemont Center Galleria. The mall eventually lost most of its tenants, largely because of the growing appeal of the suburban shopping malls.
The population of Charlemont is largely White. The city is home to an ethnically diverse mix of residents. The city is home to a diverse population, with nearly half of its residents being Black or African American. About one in six residents of the city are American Indian or Alaska Native. Another quarter of the population is Asian, including Chinese and Vietnamese, with only a small minority of residents belonging to the American Indian or Alaska Native ethnic group. The city's residents speak a variety of languages, including English, as well as French, Spanish, and German.
Among the 524 households, thirty-seven percent of residents were under the age of 18. Another twelve percent were female householders, and the remainder were married couples. Another twenty-five percent of households were non-families. And eight percent of households contained a person who was 65 years of age or older. The population's median age was 38 years. There are many benefits to living in Charlemont.