CityOfBoston Official An official website of the City of Boston

Research Publications

Explore the 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
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
Puerto Ricans in Massachusetts, the United States, and Puerto Rico

N/A Neighborhoods

Nov 15 2017 Publication Date

This report compares the Puerto Rican populations in Massachusetts, the United States, and Puerto Rico to identify differences and similarities in demographics and economic status. It also illustrates the migration patterns of Puerto Ricans coming to Massachusetts.


Topics: Population & Demographics
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
Profiles of Boston's Latinos

N/A Neighborhoods

Jun 08 2017 Publication Date

The BPDA Research Division presents profiles of the seven largest Latino groups in Boston. These profiles supplement the report "Powering Greater Boston's Economy: Why the Latino Community is Critical to our Shared Future"prepared by the BPDA Research Division and Boston Indicators in June 2017. Click the thumbnail image for a compilation of all seven profiles, or click on the following links for individual profiles: Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Salvadorans, Colombians, Mexicans, Guatemalans, and Brazilians.


Topics: Population & Demographics