Latest from the Research Department: Boston in Context

Nov 22, 2013

• Boston’s Hispanic and Black or African American populations are 17.5% and 12.1% respectively. These populations are both significantly larger than those of Massachusetts; although, the proportion of Hispanics in the city is on par with the Hispanic population in the U.S. (16.3%).
• The neighborhoods with the highest percentages of residents with a Bachelor’s degree or higher are the West End (93.4%), Back Bay and Beacon Hill both with 89.5% with a Bachelor’s degree or higher, South Boston Waterfront with 83.3%, and the North End with 80.9%.
• The percentage of Boston residents age 5 and older who speak English at home is lower than the U.S. – 63.9% versus 79.7%. Additionally, the percent of people who speak Spanish, Chinese, French or Portuguese at home in Boston is higher than in the U.S.
• The total number of housing units in Boston increased by 8.2% from 2000 to 2010. The neighborhoods that experienced the largest share of this development were South Boston Waterfront (349.6%), the Leather District (140.1%), and Chinatown (54.6%).
• The Leather District has the highest percentage of owner occupied housing units at 69.6%, followed by West Roxbury at 63.6%.