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
Impact of Proposed Federal Immigration Rule Changes on Boston: Public Charge Test for Inadmissibility

N/A Neighborhoods

Oct 15 2018 Publication Date

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a person seeking admission to the United States or seeking to adjust his or her immigration status is considered “inadmissible” (i.e. barred from entry or denied adjustment of status) if that person likely to become a “public charge." In October 2018, the federal government proposed a rule change that would enlarge the scope of benefits programs considered in making public charge determinations and heavily weight use of public benefits and other income-based factors as strikes against the applicant. This report analyzes the possible economic and public health impacts that this proposed rule may have on Boston if it is enacted.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Who Is At Risk of Migrating? Developing Synthetic Populations to Produce Efficient Domestic Migration

N/A Neighborhoods

Sep 17 2018 Publication Date

In developing an interregional, cohort-component projection methodology for Boston, Massachusetts, the BPDA Research Division created an innovative approach for producing domestic migration rates with synthetic populations using 1-year, American Community Survey (ACS), and Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS). This article, published in the journal Urban Science, describes the projection methodology.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Boston by the Numbers 2018

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Sep 13 2018 Publication Date

This report by the Boston Planning & 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
Boston's Immigrant Labor Force

N/A Neighborhoods

Jul 24 2018 Publication Date

The labor market is a key means of integration for Boston’s immigrants. Boston’s Immigrant Labor Force: Socio-Economic Characteristics and Economic Integration uses U.S. Census American Community Survey data to profile immigrant workers in Boston, their integration into the labor force, and their resulting standard of living.


Topics: Population & Demographics
A Profile of Boston's Single Mothers

N/A Neighborhoods

Jun 13 2018 Publication Date

About 45% of Boston's households with children are headed by single mothers. This report looks at the demographics of single mothers in Boston and their economic challenges.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Boston in Context 2018

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Mar 02 2018 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 2012-2016 American Community Survey data from the U.S. Census.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Boston at a Glance 2018

N/A Neighborhoods

Jan 10 2018 Publication Date

This document is a two-page reference to frequently requested information about Boston's population and development. The primary data source is the 2012-2016 5-year American Community Survey. Updated January 28, 2019 to ensure consistency with prior publications.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Historical Trends in Boston Neighborhoods since 1950

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Dec 13 2017 Publication Date

This report analyzes trends in Boston neighborhoods since 1950 in the areas of population, housing, age distribution, race and ethnicity, nativity, educational attainment and labor force participation using data from the 1950-2010 Decennial Censuses and the 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 5-year American Community Surveys.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Race
Historical Boston in Context: Neighborhood Comparisons by Decade, 1950 to 2015

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Dec 13 2017 Publication Date

This report includes tables from the 1950 to 2010 Decennial Censuses and the 2011-2015 American Community Survey. These tables provide data by Boston neighborhood on population, age distribution, nativity, race and ethnicity, education, labor force participation, housing units, and tenure.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Historical Profiles of Boston’s Neighborhoods 1950 to 2010

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Dec 13 2017 Publication Date

This report includes summary tables of U.S. Census data from 1950 to 2010 for each of Boston's neighborhoods. The data cover population, housing by tenure, age distribution, educational attainment, nativity, race and ethnicity, and labor force participation.


Topics: Population & Demographics