Research Publications

This publication compares Boston and its Neighborhoods to the U.S. and Massachusetts on several demographic, economic, and housing characteristics. This report uses a combination of 2010 Census data and 2006-2010 American Community Survey data.

This report discusses current demographic and economic trends in the city of Boston. In terms of demographics, this report shows that over the last decade Boston’s population has grown, became more racially and ethnically diverse, increased its share of young adults, and became more educated. As for the economy, Boston appears to have successfully weathered the storm of the most recent recession. The city has experienced strong job growth over the last year, decreased unemployment, and recent building permit data indicates a very active local real estate and construction market. Lastly, industry employment projections for the region suggest that Boston’s economy is poised to continue growing in the coming years.

Boston by the Numbers is a series created by the Research Division that highlights the characteristics of Boston's population and economy.

New Bostonians 2012 is our latest overview of the foreign-born population in Boston. This report provides a demographic and economic snapshot of Boston's foreign-born population. This recent update contains new data and calculations using the most recent American Community Survey, a yearly survey by the U.S. Census Bureau to allow communities to see how they are changing in the years between decennial censuses.

Alvaro Lima, the BRA’s Director of Research, was invited to speak at the International Economic Development Council's (IEDC) 2012 Leadership Summit in San Antonio, TX. IEDC is the world's largest membership organization serving the economic development profession. At the Summit he presented the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) Calculator for assessing the economic, environmental, and social impact of strategic capital investments in municipalities on a panel called Success Metrics: Economic, Social and Ecological.

Over the past thirty years, Boston has become a leader in financial services, health care, and education.

The following reports feature selected data collected on all people and households in the 2010 Census and are from the 2010 Census Summary Files (SF-1).Population information included these reports are sex, age, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, household and family characteristics, and group quarters population. Housing items include whether a housing unit is owner-occupied or renter-occupied, as well as occupancy and vacancy status. This report is a profile of Downtown and was revised to use the boundaries for the West End and Downtown that went into effect in 2014. See the original report using the previous boundaries

The following reports feature selected data collected on all people and households in the 2010 Census and are from the 2010 Census Summary Files (SF-1).Population information included these reports are sex, age, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, household and family characteristics, and group quarters population. Housing items include whether a housing unit is owner-occupied or renter-occupied, as well as occupancy and vacancy status. This report is a profile of Jamaica Plain.

The following reports feature selected data collected on all people and households in the 2010 Census and are from the 2010 Census Summary Files (SF-1).Population information included these reports are sex, age, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, household and family characteristics, and group quarters population. Housing items include whether a housing unit is owner-occupied or renter-occupied, as well as occupancy and vacancy status. This report is a profile of Hyde Park.

The following reports feature selected data collected on all people and households in the 2010 Census and are from the 2010 Census Summary Files (SF-1).Population information included these reports are sex, age, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, household and family characteristics, and group quarters population. Housing items include whether a housing unit is owner-occupied or renter-occupied, as well as occupancy and vacancy status. This report is a profile of Harbor Islands.