Research Publications

Explore the BPDA Research Division publications below by keyword, neighborhood, or topic. If you have questions about these documents, or are looking for specific information, please review the Frequently Requested Information page. This page features publications covering the most requested economic and demographic data for Boston.

A-to-Z
Race and Ethnicity in the 2020 Census: Self-Identification or Classification?

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Nov 09 2023 Publication Date

This report delves into the implications of the 2020 Census's revised approach to collecting and processing race and ethnicity data. This methodological change, entailing the reclassification of respondents based on their origin, resulted in substantial growth in the "two or more races" category. Executed without respondents' consent, the reclassification distorts demographic analysis and undermines the reliability of Census data. The City of Boston has filed an official complaint to the US Census Bureau protesting this race reclassification scheme.


Topics: Race
Workers with Disabilities in Boston

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Oct 20 2023 Publication Date

A presentation exploring the employment, earnings, and occupational representation of Boston’s workers with disabilities as well as national trends in disability reporting and labor force participation. A summarizing infographic is available here.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Higher Education in Boston

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Sep 11 2023 Publication Date

A presentation describing college student demographics as well as the economic contributions of, and future concerns for, higher education in Boston. A summarizing infographic is available here.


Topics: Education
Boston 2010 - 2050 Population Projections (2023 Revision)

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Sep 11 2023 Publication Date

This presentation examines historical trends in Boston's population and introduces the 2023 revision of Boston Planning and Development Agency's population projections for Boston through 2050. This revision accounts for changes due to the effects of COVID-19 on births, deaths, and migration. The 2019 version of the projections is available here.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Celebrating What Unites Us

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Sep 07 2023 Publication Date

Prepared for Age Strong for use in Celebrating What Unites Us!, a collaborative program to celebrate the immigrant experience, build community and cross-cultural understanding, and promote healthy living for aging residents of the City of Boston. The thumbnail image above provides a PDF of all the presentations, while the following links provide access to individual community presentations.





Topics: Age, Foreign-born
The Economic Contributions of Boston's Foreign Born

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Sep 06 2023 Publication Date

A presentation exploring the economic contributions and demographics of Boston's foreign born workers and students.


Topics: Foreign-born
Boston at a Glance 2023

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Aug 14 2023 Publication Date

Boston at a Glance is a demographic fact sheet for the city of Boston. The 2023 update uses current U.S. Census data from the American Community Survey including ACS 2017-2021 5-year estimates.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
Historical Trends in Boston’s Neighborhoods

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Jun 01 2023 Publication Date

A presentation on historical trends in Boston’s neighborhoods between 1950 and 2020, with a focus on population, housing, age distribution, race & ethnicity, nativity, educational attainment, and labor force participation.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
Historical Profile of Boston's Neighborhoods

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Mar 07 2023 Publication Date

A look at Boston's neighborhood through Decennial Census Data from 1950-2020.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
Historical Boston in Context: Neighborhood Comparison by Decade

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Mar 07 2023 Publication Date

This Historical Boston in Context document compares how Boston, Boston’s neighborhoods, Massachusetts, and the United States changed demographically between 1950 and 2021. It uses data from the United States Census Bureau’s Decennial Censuses and American Community Surveys.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race