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
Puerto Ricans in Massachusetts, the United States, and Puerto Rico

N/A Neighborhoods

Nov 15 2017 Publication Date

This report compares the Puerto Rican populations in Massachusetts, the United States, and Puerto Rico to identify differences and similarities in demographics and economic status. It also illustrates the migration patterns of Puerto Ricans coming to Massachusetts.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Neighborhood Profiles

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Aug 31 2017 Publication Date

This document includes profiles of each of Boston's neighborhoods, including demographic, employment, housing, and development information. Click the thumbnail image for a compilation of all profiles, or click on the following links for individual neighborhood profiles: Allston, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Longwood, Mattapan, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South Boston Waterfront, South End, West End, West Roxbury


Topics: Population & Demographics
Boston by the Numbers 2017

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Aug 31 2017 Publication Date

This report by the Boston Planning and Development Agency Research Division is a short reference guide to the city of Boston. It breaks down the population by age group, gender, and nativity. It also looks at Boston's colleges and universities, housing, and land use.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Profiles of Boston's Latinos

N/A Neighborhoods

Jun 08 2017 Publication Date

The BPDA Research Division presents profiles of the seven largest Latino groups in Boston. These profiles supplement the report "Powering Greater Boston's Economy: Why the Latino Community is Critical to our Shared Future"prepared by the BPDA Research Division and Boston Indicators in June 2017. Click the thumbnail image for a compilation of all seven profiles, or click on the following links for individual profiles: Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Salvadorans, Colombians, Mexicans, Guatemalans, and Brazilians.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Powering Greater Boston's Economy: Why the Latino Community is Critical to our Shared Future

N/A Neighborhoods

Jun 07 2017 Publication Date

A Special Report from Boston Indicators and the BPDA in support of the Latino Legacy Fund


Topics: Population & Demographics
The Importance of Immigrants to Boston's Continued Prosperity

N/A Neighborhoods

Apr 24 2017 Publication Date

Presentation by Alvaro Lima, BPDA Director of Research, to The Boston Foundation's April 19, 2017 forum "Our Shared Future: Charting a Path for Immigrant Advancement in a New Political Landscape"


Topics: Foreign-born
Boston in Context 2017

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Jan 25 2017 Publication Date

This publication compares Boston and its neighborhoods to the U.S. and Massachusetts on several demographic, economic and housing characteristics. This report uses 2011-2015 American Community Survey data from the U.S. Census.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Boston at a Glance 2017

N/A Neighborhoods

Jan 19 2017 Publication Date

Boston at a Glance is a series of short reference sheets that present some selected demographic, economic and housing characteristics of Boston. The data used in this report are primarily from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2011-2015 American Community Survey. Updated January 28, 2019 to ensure consistency with prior publications.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Boston 2030 Population Projections

N/A Neighborhoods

Nov 17 2016 Publication Date

This presentation examines historical trends in Boston's population and introduces the Boston Planning and Development Agency's population projections for Boston through 2030.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Methodology for Boston's Population Projections

N/A Neighborhoods

Oct 19 2016 Publication Date

To inform the Imagine Boston 2030 planning process and to create internal capacity to provide ongoing demographic analysis and projections, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) Research Division developed a population projection model. The model examines historical population trends, creates projections for Boston’s population through 2030, and provides capability to test hypothetical scenarios and explore the impact of policy proposals. This report describes the population projection methodology.


Topics: Population & Demographics