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 by the Numbers 2020

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Aug 18 2020 Publication Date

Boston by the Numbers is a report that highlights the characteristics of Boston's population and economy. This report breaks down the population by age group, gender, and nativity. It also looks at Boston's colleges and universities, housing, and land use, using the most recent American Community Survey data.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Boston at a Glance 2020

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Feb 07 2020 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 2014-2018 5-year American Community Survey.


Topics: Population & Demographics
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
Neighborhood Profiles 2019

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Aug 21 2019 Publication Date

A brief overview of demographic, economic, and development data for each Boston neighborhood. This is an update to the Neighborhood Profiles released in 2017. 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 in Context 2019

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Jan 25 2019 Publication Date

Boston in Context tabulates various social, demographic, and economic characteristics from the 2013-2017 American Community Survey by Boston Neighborhood. Citywide totals as well as totals for Massachusetts and the United States are provided for comparison. Data on slides 22-23 revised June, 2019.


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