Overview of Boston's Population

Overview of Boston’s
Population

Boston Redevelopment Authority – Research Division
Alvaro Lima, Director of Research
June - 2012

Historic Trends – Boston’s Population

 Boston reached its population peak in 1950.
 Boston’s population, like many major cities, declined after 1950.
 In recent decades, Boston’s population has grown.
 The 2010 Census marks the first time since 1970 that Boston’s population has been over
600,000.
850,000
801,444
800,000

750,000
697,197
700,000
641,071
650,000 617,594
600,000 574,283
589,141
550,000
562,994
500,000

450,000

400,000
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Source: US Census Bureau, BRA Research Division Analysis

Major Northeastern Cities and Population Change, 2010 Census

 Boston’s population growth since 2000 compares favorably to most other northeastern
cities.

Population Change
Total Population
City 2000-2010
2000 2010 N %
Washington (DC) 572,059 601,723 29,664 5.2%
Worcester (MA) 172,648 181,045 8,397 4.9%
Boston (MA) 589,141 617,594 28,453 4.8%
Cambridge (MA) 101,355 105,162 3,807 3.8%
Elizabeth (NJ) 120,568 124,969 4,401 3.7%
Hartford (CT) 121,578 124,775 3,197 2.6%
Providence (RI) 173,618 178,042 4,424 2.5%
New York (NY) 8,008,278 8,175,133 166,855 2.1%
Newark (NJ) 273,546 277,140 3,594 1.3%
Springfield (MA) 152,082 153,060 978 0.6%
Philadelphia (PA) 1,517,550 1,526,006 8,456 0.6%
Baltimore (MD) 651,154 620,961 -30,193 -4.6%
Pittsburgh (PA) 334,563 305,704 -28,859 -8.6%
Buffalo (NY) 292,648 261,310 -31,338 -10.7%


25 Largest US Cities and Population Change, 2010 Census

 Boston’s population growth rate since 2000 was higher than the rates for New York and San
Francisco.

 Four of the 25 largest cities experienced population declines between 2000 and 2010.

Total Population Population Change 2000-2010
City
2000 2010 N %

Fort Worth (TX) 534,694 741,206 206,512 38.6%
Charlotte (NC) 540,828 731,424 190,596 35.2%
Austin (TX) 656,562 790,390 133,828 20.4%
San Antonio (TX) 1,144,646 1,327,407 182,761 16.0%
El Paso (TX) 563,662 649,121 85,459 15.2%
Jacksonville (FL) 735,617 821,784 86,167 11.7%
Columbus (OH) 711,470 787,033 75,563 10.6%
Nashville (TN) 545,524 601,222 55,698 10.2%
Phoenix (AZ) 1,321,045 1,445,632 124,587 9.4%
Seattle (WA) 563,374 608,660 45,286 8.0%
Houston (TX) 1,953,631 2,099,451 145,820 7.5%
San Diego (CA) 1,223,400 1,307,402 84,002 6.9%
San Jose (CA) 894,943 945,942 50,999 5.7%
Washington (DC) 572,059 601,723 29,664 5.2%
Indianapolis (IN) 781,870 820,445 38,575 4.9%
Boston (MA) 589,141 617,594 28,453 4.8%
San Francisco (CA) 776,733 805,235 28,502 3.7%
Los Angeles (CA) 3,694,820 3,792,621 97,801 2.6%
New York City (NY) 8,008,278 8,175,133 166,855 2.1%
Dallas (TX) 1,188,580 1,197,816 9,236 0.8%
Philadelphia (PA) 1,517,550 1,526,006 8,456 0.6%
Memphis (TN) 650,100 646,889 -3,211 -0.5%
Baltimore (MD) 651,154 620,961 -30,193 -4.6%
Chicago (IL) 2,896,016 2,695,598 -200,418 -6.9%
Detroit (MI) 951,270 713,777 -237,493 -25.0%


Demographic Breakdown of Boston’s Population

 Boston is a young city. Currently Boston has the 2nd highest concentration of young adults (20-34)
amongst the largest 25 cities in the US.
 Boston is a diverse city. Today, Boston ranks 6th among the 25 largest cities in the US in proportion of
the population that is foreign-born.

Age Nativity

19% 22%
27%

24%
73%
35%
0-19 years 20 -34 years
35 -54 years 55 and older Native Foreign -Born

Source: Age – 2010 Census, BRA Research Division Analysis
Nativity – 2005-2009 American Community Survey, BRA Research Division Analysis

Educational Attainment of Population, 1980 and 2005-
2009

 Boston has one of the most highly-educated populations among major American cities.
 42.9% of Boston’s adult population has at least a bachelor’s degree, ranking Boston 5th amongst
the 30 largest cities in the nation.

200,000 50.0%
42.9%
180,000 45.0%
160,000 40.0%
140,000 35.0%
35.0%
120,000 30.0%
31.5% 23.3%
100,000 25.0%
18.0%
80,000 15.8% 20.3% 20.0%
60,000 15.0%
13.1%
40,000 10.0%
20,000 5.0%
- 0.0%
Less than High School High School graduate or GED Some College or Associates Bachelor's, Master's or
equivalent Degree Professional Degree
1980 Population 2005-2009 Population
1980 % of Population 2005-2009 % of Population

Source: 2005-2009 American Community Survey, BRA Research Division Analysis

Educational Attainment by Nativity

 Overall, Boston’s foreign-born population is less-educated than its native residents.

35.0%
32.1%

30.0%

25.0% 24.0%
23.1%
21.9%

20.0% 18.1%
16.8% 16.8%
Foreign-Born
15.0% 14.1%
12.6% Native-Born
11.4%

10.0%

5.3%
5.0% 3.8%

0.0%
Less than HS High School Some College Associates Bachelors Graduate Degree
Degree Degree

Source: 2009 American Community Survey Public Use Micro-data Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis

Racial and Ethnic Breakdown for Boston’s Population, 1980-2010
 Over the last several decades, the racial and ethnic composition of Boston has changed a great deal

 In 1980, close to 70% of Boston was white. Today, only half the city is white.
 The last two Census reports show Boston as a “majority-minority” city.

1980 1990
3% 1%
1% 0% 5%
6%
11%

22%

24%
59%
68%

2000 2010
3% 2%
8% 1% 9%
2%
0%
0%

14%

50% 18%

47%
22%
24%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, BRA Research Division Analysis.
Note: 2000 was the first year the Census compiled data on individuals who identified themselves as “multiracial”

Population Change - BRA Planning Districts (2000 – 2010)
25%

Central, 22.7% South End, 22.9%

20%

15% Fenway-Kenmore, 14.9%

South Boston, 12.4%

10%
Population Change (2000 - 2010)

Allston-Brighton, 7.7%
Charlestown, 8.2%

Boston, 4.8% East Boston, 5.5% Roxbury, 5.5% West Roxbury, 5.9%
5%
Jamaica Plain, 4.5%
Back Bay-Beacon Hill, 2.8%
Hyde Park, 1.1%
0%
North Dorchester, -1.4%
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

-5%
South Dorchester, -5.4%
Roslindale, -6.2%
Mattapan, -8.0%
-10%

-15%

Harbor Islands, -16.4%

-20%
Planning Districts

Source: 2010 U.S. Census, BRA Research Division Analysis

Change in White Population – BRA Planning Districts (2000 – 2010)
50%

Roxbury, 42.7%
40%

South End, 34.4%
30%
Change in White Population (2000 - 2010)

20% Central, 20.2%

Jamaica Plain, 12.5%
10%
Fenway-Kenmore, 8.4%
South Boston, 4.8%
Charlestown, 4.3%
0% Boston, -0.4%
0 2
Back4 Bay-Beacon Hill, -1.5%
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

-10% West Roxbury, -7.2%
Mattapan, -12.1%

Roslindale, -18.2% South Dorchester, -17.7%
-20%
East Boston, -21.1%

-30%

Hyde Park, -34.1%

-40% Harbor Islands, -36.5%

-50%
Planning Districts


Change in Black or African American Population – BRA Planning Districts (2000 –
2010)
120%

South Boston, 112.1%

100%

80%
Change in Black or African American Population (2000 - 2010)

West Roxbury, 72.2%

60%

40% Charlestown, 41.7%
Central, 36.2%

20% Hyde Park, 21.1%
Roslindale, 15.2%
East Boston, 9.0%
0% Fenway-Kenmore, 4.3%
Boston, -1.6% North Dorchester, -7.2% 16 South Dorchester, -6.0%
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 18 20
Roxbury, -6.1%
Mattapan, -10.7% South End, -7.5%
Jamaica Plain, -16.0%
-20%
Harbor Islands, -16.4%

-40%
Planning Districts


Change in Hispanic/Latino Population – BRA Planning Districts (2000 –
2010)
120%

100%

West Roxbury, 96.6%
Change in Hispanic/Latino Population (2000 - 2010)

80%

Central, 68.2%

60%
Hyde Park, 62.0%

South Boston, 49.1%
East Boston, 42.9%
40%

Roxbury, 29.0%
Boston, 26.8%
Fenway-Kenmore, 28.0% South Dorchester, 22.1%
Mattapan, 20.1%
20%
Allston-Brighton, 17.4% Roslindale, 16.1% South End, 20.3%
Harbor Islands, 11.7% North Dorchester, 15.9%

0%
Jamaica Plain, -2.2%
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Charlestown, -9.8%

-20%
Planning Districts


Change in Asian Population – BRA Planning Districts (2000 – 2010)

140%

Roxbury, 124.7%
120%

100% Harbor Islands, 100.0%
Change in Asian Population (2000 - 2010)

80%
Charlestown, 77.2% West Roxbury, 81.5%

60%

Fenway-Kenmore, 46.3%
South End, 44.6%
40% Back Bay-Beacon Hill, 44.9%
South Boston, 40.6%

Boston, 24.6%
Jamaica Plain, 26.7%
20%
Central, 18.5%
Hyde Park, 12.6% South Dorchester, 11.9%
Mattapan, 6.9%
0%
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
East Boston, -8.6%
-20% Roslindale, -19.6%

-40%
Planning Districts


Planning District Diversity Index (2000-2010)

North 2010 2000
Dorchester
Back Bay/ 0.80 South
Beacon Hill Dorchester
0.70
Harbor
South Boston
0.60 Islands

0.50

Mattapan 0.40 Boston

0.30

0.20
Charlestown South End
0.10

0.00

West Roxbury Roslindale

Central Hyde Park

Allston/
Jamaica Plain
Brighton
Feneway/
Roxbury
Kenmore
East Boston


Employment and
Unemployment in
Boston

Unemployed With Less Than High School Education by Industry
 The unemployment rate for workers with less than high school education is 12.6%.
 Unemployed workers with less than high school education worked mainly in the
manufacturing, administrative support, and food services industries.

Less than High School (n = 7,622)
Not Specified 15.9%

Government 2.5%

Other Services 0.9%

Accommodation and Food Services 13.2%

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 3.0%

Healthcare and Social Assistance 4.5%

Educational Services 1.5%

Administrative Support and Waste Management Services 14.1%

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 0.0%

Real Estate and Rental & Leasing 4.3%

Finance and Insurance 0.0%

Information 0.0%

Transportation and Warehousing 4.0%

Retail Trade 12.2%

Wholesale Trade 3.6%

Manufacturing 15.0%

Construction 5.5%

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18%


Unemployed With High School Education by Industry
 The unemployment rate for workers a high school education is 14.7%.
 Unemployed workers with a high school education worked mainly in the construction, administrative
support, and food services industries.

High School (n = 12,760)
Not Specified 7.2%

Government 6.4%

Other Services 9.1%









Information 1.8%


Retail Trade 3.9%


Manufacturing 2.9%

Construction 16.8%

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18%


Unemployed With Some College Education by Industry
 The unemployment rate for workers with some college education is 7.9%.
 Unemployed workers with some college education worked mainly in the healthcare, food services, and retail
industries.

Some College (n = 11,699)
Not Specified 13.3%

Government 4.4%

Other Services 5.6%









Information 0.0%


Retail Trade 10.0%


Manufacturing 2.4%

Construction 2.6%

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20%


Unemployed With Associate’s Degree by Industry
 The unemployment rate for workers with an associate’s degree is 9.8%.
 Unemployed workers with an associate’s degree worked mainly in the retail, food services, and
government industries.

Associate's Degree (n = 2,188)
Not Specified 9.3%

Government 12.2%

Other Services 0.0%









Information 0.0%


Retail Trade 13.9%


Manufacturing 5.7%

Construction 3.6%

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16%

Source: 2009 American Community Survey Public Use Micro-data Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Analysis

Unemployed With Bachelor’s Degree by Industry
 The unemployment rate for workers with a bachelor’s degree is 4.5%.
 Unemployed workers with a bachelor’s degree worked mainly in the education, healthcare, and finance
industries.

Bachelor's Degree (n = 6,881)
Not Specified 8.2%

Government 2.3%

Other Services 0.0%









Information 1.4%


Retail Trade 9.4%


Manufacturing 6.5%

Construction 6.8%

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14%


Unemployed With Graduate Degree by Industry
 The unemployment rate for workers with a graduate degree is 4.0%.
 Unemployed workers with a graduate degree worked mainly in the professional services, information, and
healthcare industries.

Graduate Degree (n = 3,045)
Not Specified 3.3%

Government 3.1%

Other Services 0.0%









Information 21.5%


Retail Trade 0.0%


Manufacturing 0.0%

Construction 0.0%

0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35


Boston vs. U.S. on
Unemployment Rate

Unemployment Rate by Race

 Compared to the U.S., Boston’s unemployment rate is lower for people of all races except
Asian.

18%

16%
16% 15%

14%
13%
12%
12%
10%
10% 9%
9% Unemployment Rate (US)
8%
8% Unemployment Rate (Boston)

6%
6%
5%

4%

2%

0%
White Black Hispanic Asian Other


Unemployment Rate by Income

 Boston’s unemployment rate is highest for people in the lowest income brackets.

40%

35% 34%

30%

25% 23%

20%
Unemployment Rate (US)

14% Unemployment Rate (Boston)
15%
11%

10%
6%
5%
5% 3% 4% 3% 3%
3% 2% 2% 1% 1%
1%
0%
Less than $10,000 to $20,000 to $35,000 to $50,000 to $75,000 to $100,000 to $150,000 or
$10,000 $19,999 $34,999 $49,999 $74,999 $99,999 $149,999 more


Unemployment Rate by Educational Attainment

 Residents with higher education levels are more likely to be employed than residents with lower
education levels.

20%
18.9%

18%

16%
14.7%

14%
12.6%
12.3%
12%
10.2%
9.8%
10% Unemployment Rate (US)
7.9% Unemployment Rate (Boston)
8%
6.9%

6% 5.4%
4.5%
4.0%
3.6%
4%

2%

0%
Less than HS HS Some College Associates Bachelors Graduate


Boston’s Foreign
Born Population

Proportion of the Population that is Foreign Born (1850-2009)

 Historically, Boston has had a greater proportion of foreign-born residents than both the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and the nation as a whole.

 Since the 1970s, the proportion of foreign-born residents in Boston has grown dramatically.

40%
Boston

35% Massachusetts

United States
30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%
1850

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1910

1920

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2006

2009
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, BRA Research Division Analysis

Boston’s
Foreign
Born
Populatio
n


Countries of Origin for Boston’s Foreign-Born
Population, 2009
 Today most of Boston’s immigrants come from the Caribbean, Latin America, and Asia

Share of the Foreign-Born Population in Boston
Dominican Republic 9.4%

China 9.0%

Haiti 7.9%

Vietnam 4.6%

El Salvador 4.5%

Brazil 4.4%

Cape Verde 4.2%

Colombia 4.0%

Jamaica 3.7%

Ireland 2.2%

0.0% 1.0% 2.0% 3.0% 4.0% 5.0% 6.0% 7.0% 8.0% 9.0% 10.0%

Source: 2005-2009 American Community Survey, BRA Research Division Analysis.

Age by Nativity
Older residents make up a far greater share of foreign-born residents than
native residents.
45.0%
40.6%
40.0%

35.0% 34.0%

30.0%
26.1%
25.0%
21.0% 20.7% Foreign-Born
20.0% Native-Born
17.1%

15.0% 13.6%
12.3%

10.0% 9.0%

5.7%
5.0%

0.0%
0 to 17 years 18 to 34 years 35 to 49 years 50 to 64 years 65+ years


Nativity of Parent(s)
Although foreign-born children (0 to 17 years) make up a small share of all
children in Boston, more than 40% of all children in Boston have at least one
parent that is foreign born.

40.3%
Native-Born
Foreign-Born
59.7%


Income by Nativity
A smaller portion of foreign-born residents have high-paying jobs than
native residents.
35% 33%

30%
30%

25%

20% 19%
18%
16%
14% Foreign-Born
15% 14%
12% 12% Native-Born

10% 9%
7%
5% 4%
5% 3% 3%
1%
0%
Less than $10,000 to $20,000 to $35,000 to $50,000 to $75,000 to $100,000 to $150,000 or
$10,000 $19,999 $34,999 $49,999 $74,999 $99,999 $149,999 more


Wage Differential By Educational Attainment
As educational attainment improves, native-born residents continue to earn
higher wages than foreign-born residents.
$100,000.00 $94,550.30

$90,000.00

$80,000.00

$70,000.00 $66,866.76
$62,678.98
$60,000.00

$50,000.00
$42,252.64 Foreign-Born
$40,284.47
$40,000.00 $36,249.95 Native-Born
$32,240.60
$30,144.64
$28,148.54
$30,000.00
$22,197.56
$17,401.58
$20,000.00 $16,317.97

$10,000.00

$-
Less than High High School Some College Associate's Bachelor's Graduate
School Degree Degree Degree


Top 5 Countries of Origin for Foreign-Born Population
by Planning District

Allston-Brighton 0.1
0 0.2 Back Bay-Beacon Hill 0.1 0.15 0.2
0 0.05

China 15.3% China 15.3%
Brazil 11.7% Canada 7.3%
Russia 6.9% United Kingdom 6.2%
El Salvador 3.7% France 6.2%
Ukraine 3.6% Colombia 3.7%

Central 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 Charlestown 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4

China 43.0% China 31.5%
Vietnam 6.4% Dominican Republic 23.3%
Italy 6.2% Russia 4.6%
India 3.5% Canada 3.1%
Japan 3.2% Philippines 2.5%

Source: 2005-2009 American Community Survey, BRA Research Division

by Planning District (cont.)

Jamaica Plain 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 Mattapan 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35

Dominican Republic 14.0% Haiti 28.8%
China 13.8% Jamaica 12.5%
India 6.3% Cape Verde 10.6%
Ireland 3.3% Dominican Republic 7.7%
United Kingdom 2.8% Trinidad and Tobago 5.3%

North Dorchester 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 Roslindale 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

Cape Verde 23.3% Dominican Republic 17.8%
Vietnam 13.2% Haiti 10.3%
Albania 7.8% Albania 6.4%
Dominican Republic 7.8% Guatemala 6.3%
Haiti 4.9% Ireland 4.0%



Roxbury 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3South Boston 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35

Dominican Republic 23.9% Dominican Republic 32.9%
Haiti 13.9% China 15.8%
Jamaica 8.0% Cape Verde 6.9%
Cape Verde 6.3% Philippines 4.0%
Trinidad and Tobago 4.9% Vietnam 3.9%

South Dorchester 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 South End 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35

Vietnam China 29.2%
19.2%
Jamaica Dominican Republic 11.3%
10.9%
Haiti Ethiopia 5.0%
10.7%
Cape Verde Colombia 4.0%
10.3%
Dominican Republic Canada 3.9%
7.6%



West Roxbury 0 0.05 0.1 0.15

Haiti 12.4%
China 10.1%
Dominican Republic 8.7%
Ireland 7.6%
Greece 6.0%


Overview of Boston's Population

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