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
Boston in Context 2020

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Feb 07 2020 Publication Date

Boston in Context tabulates various social, demographic, and economic characteristics from the 2014-2018 American Community Survey by Boston Neighborhood. Citywide totals as well as totals for Massachusetts and the United States are provided for comparison.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Demographic Profile of Adult Limited English Speakers in Massachusetts

N/A Neighborhoods

Feb 06 2019 Publication Date

Limited English-Speaking (LES) adults are those who self-report as speaking English less than "very well." This report details where LES adults live in Massachusetts, their population demographics, and workforce statistics.


Topics: Language
Demographic Trends in Boston 2010-2017

N/A Neighborhoods

Jan 11 2019 Publication Date

Boston has experienced rapid population growth in recent years. This report uses the most recent American Community Survey to examine how the composition of Boston's population has changed from 2010 to 2017. Variables covering age, race, educational attainment, income, housing, and transportation are included.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
Boston at a Glance - 2015

N/A Neighborhoods

Nov 04 2015 Publication Date

Boston at a Glance is a series that presents some selected demographic, economic and housing characteristics of Boston. The data used in this report is a combination of 2013 ACS 1-Year Estimate and 2009-2013 ACS 5-Years Estimates. Updated January 28, 2019 to ensure consistency across publications.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Income & Poverty, Language, Race
Trends in Poverty and Inequality

N/A Neighborhoods

Oct 20 2015 Publication Date

The BRA Research Division prepared this presentation for the Boston Citywide Plan to provide a factual basis to understand 1) historical trends that have shaped poverty and inequality in Boston, 2) the extent of poverty and inequality in Boston today, and 3) specific populations that are disproportionately affected by poverty and inequality.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Income & Poverty, Language, Race
Boston in Context: Neighborhoods - 2015

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Aug 04 2015 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 a combination of 2010 Census data and 2009-2013 American Community Survey data.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Households & Families, Income & Poverty, Industry Profiles, Labor Market, Language, Race
Boston's Shifting Demographics

N/A Neighborhoods

Jul 20 2015 Publication Date

This presentation provides statistics showing historical trends that shaped the present population of Boston. Presentation sections include population growth, diversity, educational attainment, age distribution, and changing families.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
High-skilled Immigrants in the Massachusetts Civilian Labor Force: U.S./Foreign Degree

N/A Neighborhoods

Apr 23 2014 Publication Date

This presentation examines high-skilled immigrant workers in Massachusetts (defined as having a Bachelor's degree or higher) and where they obtained their degree: in the U.S. or in their home country.


Topics: Age, Economy & Jobs, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Language, Race
High-skilled Immigrants in the Massachusetts Civilian Labor Force

N/A Neighborhoods

Apr 23 2014 Publication Date

Immigrants are an increasingly important source of labor for the Massachusetts economy. This presentation explores immigrant workers in Massachusetts with a Bachelor's degree or higher, defined as "high-skilled."


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Income & Poverty, Labor Market, Language, Race
Unemployment in Boston - 2014 (revised)

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Mar 03 2014 Publication Date

This report is a profile on Boston's unemployed population. It includes 2008-2012 and 2012 American Community Survey data by neighborhood, race, age, sex, nativity, and more. This report 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


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Income & Poverty, Industry Profiles, Language, Race