Research Publications

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.

This white paper reviews the three following census programs: Decennial Census, Population Estimates Program’s (PEP) Annual Estimates of the Resident Population, and the American Community Survey (ACS). The paper examines the differences between the programs and how their methodologies affect Boston population estimates.

With a Brazilian population of 111,224 in 2017, Massachusetts was home to 16% of all Brazilians in the United States. This report provides a demographic profile of Brazilians living in Massachusetts, including those who were born in Brazil and others who claim Brazilian ancestry.

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

Boston's Economy 2019 report details Boston’s recent economic growth. It covers trends in employment, wages, housing prices, and real estate. This report introduces the BPDA's employment forecast, which explores how the rate of housing production and the area's skilled workforce may impact the pace of local job growth. The Spotlight Section covers Boston’s higher education industry examining enrollment, graduation, and tuition trends. Finally, the Forecast Section describes the outlook for Boston’s economic future, hinting at continued growth. This report was updated on September 10, 2019.

For a presentation version of the Economy Report, click here: Boston's Economy 2019 Presentation

In 2018, Boston continued its unparalleled 24-year record with more funding from the National Institutes of Health than any other city in the United States. This report delves into funding provided by the National Institutes of Health for FY2018, with a focus on grant recipients in Boston. This report also cites advancements in science and medicine among grant recipients, including research institutes, hospitals, universities, and private companies.

An analysis of micro businesses (less than 5 employees) and small businesses (less than 50 employees) in Boston, focusing on industry distribution, employment, and economic impact.

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.

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.

A two-page reference guide to frequently requested information about Boston's population and development. The primary data source is the 2013-2017 5-year American Community Survey. Updated January 28, 2019 to ensure consistency with prior publications.