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
Neighborhood Unemployment: A Technical Note

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Oct 24 2017 Publication Date

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes the official national monthly unemployment rate, as well official rates at the state, county, and city level through the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program. The BLS does not publish unemployment data at the neighborhood level or any other geography below the citywide level. This report explains attempts to estimate neighborhood-level unemployment rates.


Topics: Economy & Jobs
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
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
Commuter Flows: Employment and Residence Patterns in Greater Boston

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Aug 29 2016 Publication Date

Commuting patterns reflect interactions within the regional economy. Workers who reside in one town may work in a neighboring town. Jobs in a given town may be filled by a combination of resident workers and commuters. This report examines residential and employment patterns in the greater Boston area and within Boston neighborhoods.


Topics: Economy & Jobs
Neighborhood Business Patterns 2016

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

May 31 2016 Publication Date

This report will provide insight into Boston's business establishments and employment by neighborhood. The main data source for this report is the 2013 ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZCBP), published by the U.S. Census Bureau. For citywide business trends, please see "Boston Business Patterns 2016."


Topics: Economy & Jobs
Boston in Context 2016

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Mar 25 2016 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 2010-2014 American Community Survey data.


Topics: Population & Demographics
Boston by the Numbers 2015

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Dec 14 2015 Publication Date

Boston by the Numbers is a packet of short reports on Gender, Foreign Born, Colleges & Universities, Land Use & Housing, Children & Families, Young Adults, and the Elderly. Data are taken primarily from the 2014 American Community Survey.


Topics: Population & Demographics
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
Characteristics of Boston and Its Neighborhoods

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Oct 23 2014 Publication Date

On October 14, 2014, Alvaro Lima, Director of Research at the BRA, presented information on the characteristics of Boston and its neighborhoods to a group from Boston Education Funders. The presentation discusses recent demographic changes in Boston and highlights the 0-24 population.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Race