Research Publications

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.

Boston’s healthcare, scientific, educational, and finance sectors have driven its recent economic growth. Foreign-born workers have supplied needed labor in these sectors. Using the REMI model, this report examines the economic impact that two proposed changes in U.S. immigration policy would have on Boston’s economy over a 10-year period.

This Report analyzes development trends in five sub-markets (housing, office, hotel, industrial, and institutional) while describing concurrent economic and demographic trends that may influence development. Together, these data depict the recent cycle of real estate development in Boston, from the beginning of Article 80 in 1996 through the development downturn during the 2008-2009 recession to the recent development boom coinciding with the city’s economic recovery.

This report looks at the demographics of women in Boston with particular focus on employment and pay disparities between men and women.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The 2018 Economy Report details Boston’s impressive economic growth, covering trends in employment, wages, housing prices, and real estate. The Spotlight section takes a deep dive into Boston’s growing tech industry by examining job openings in biotech, green jobs, and cybersecurity. It also analyzes the ‘middle skill’ jobs that make Boston’s growth accessible to residents without higher education. Finally, the Forecast section describes the outlook for Boston’s economic future, hinting at continued growth.

For a presentation version of the Economy Report, click here: Boston's Economy 2018 Presentation