Demographic Data for Boston’s Neighborhoods, 1950-2019

Boston is a city defined by the unique character of its many neighborhoods. The historical tables created by the BPDA Research Division from U.S. Census Decennial data describe demographic changes in Boston’s neighborhoods from 1950 through 2010 using consistent tract-based geographies. For more analysis of these data, please see Historical Trends in Boston's Neighborhoods. The most recent available neighborhood demographic data come from the 5-year American Community Survey (ACS). The ACS tables also present demographic data for Census-tract approximations of Boston’s neighborhoods. For pdf versions of the data presented here plus earlier versions of the analysis, please see Boston in Context.

2020 Census data for the city of Boston, Boston neighborhoods, census tracts, block groups, and voting districts. In the 2020 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau divided Boston into 207 census tracts (~4,000 residents) made up of 581 smaller block groups. The Boston Planning and Development Agency uses the 2020 tracts to approximate Boston neighborhoods. The 2020 Census Redistricting data also identify Boston’s voting districts.

For analysis of Boston’s 2020 Census data including graphs and maps by the BPDA Research Division and Office of Digital Cartography and GIS, see 2020 Census Research Publications

For a complete official data dictionary, please go to 2020 Census State Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, Chapter 6. Data Dictionary. 2020 Census State Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File

2020 Census Tracts In Boston

2020 Census Block Groups In Boston

Boston Neighborhood Boundaries Approximated By 2020 Census Tracts

Boston Voting District Boundaries

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Boston metro area from 1950 to 2025. United Nations population projections are also included through the year 2035.

In 2023, the population of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metropolitan area in the United States was about 4.92 million people. This is a slight increase when compared with last year's population, which was about 4.9 million people.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Boston town population by age cohorts (Children: Under 18 years; Working population: 18-64 years; Senior population: 65 years or more). It lists the population in each age cohort group along with its percentage relative to the total population of Boston town. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution across children, working population and senior population for dependency ratio, housing requirements, ageing, migration patterns etc.

Key observations

The largest age group was 18 to 64 years with a poulation of 4,958 (62.36% of the total population). Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Age cohorts:

• Under 18 years
• 18 to 64 years
• 65 years and over

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Group: This column displays the age cohort for the Boston town population analysis. Total expected values are 3 groups ( Children, Working Population and Senior Population).
• Population: The population for the age cohort in Boston town is shown in the following column.
• Percent of Total Population: The population as a percent of total population of the Boston town is shown in the following column.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Boston town Population by Age. You can refer the same here

U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts statistics for Boston city, Massachusetts. QuickFacts data are derived from: Population Estimates, American Community Survey, Census of Population and Housing, Current Population Survey, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, State and County Housing Unit Estimates, County Business Patterns, Nonemployer Statistics, Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners, Building Permits.

Census block groups are created by the U.S. Census Bureau as statistical geographic subdivisions of a census tract defined for the tabulation and presentation of data from the decennial census and the American Community Survey. Block groups generally contain between 600 and 3,000 people. Census block groups are split or merged every 10 years, depending on population change, with local feedback through the Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). These shapefiles provide the boundaries for the 2020 block groups for Boston.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Boston town Hispanic or Latino population. It includes the distribution of the Hispanic or Latino population, of Boston town, by their ancestries, as identified by the Census Bureau. The dataset can be utilized to understand the origin of the Hispanic or Latino population of Boston town.

Key observations

Among the Hispanic population in Boston town, regardless of the race, the largest group is of Puerto Rican origin, with a population of 37 (97.37% of the total Hispanic population).

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Origin for Hispanic or Latino population include:

• Mexican
• Puerto Rican
• Cuban
• Other Hispanic or Latino

Variables / Data Columns

• Origin: This column displays the origin for Hispanic or Latino population for the Boston town
• Population: The population of the specific origin for Hispanic or Latino population in the Boston town is shown in this column.
• % of Total Hispanic Population: This column displays the percentage distribution of each Hispanic origin as a proportion of Boston town total Hispanic or Latino population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Boston town Population by Race & Ethnicity. You can refer the same here

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Non-Hispanic population of Boston town by race. It includes the distribution of the Non-Hispanic population of Boston town across various race categories as identified by the Census Bureau. The dataset can be utilized to understand the Non-Hispanic population distribution of Boston town across relevant racial categories.

Key observations

Of the Non-Hispanic population in Boston town, the largest racial group is White alone with a population of 7,426 (93.85% of the total Non-Hispanic population).

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Racial categories include:

• White
• Black or African American
• American Indian and Alaska Native
• Asian
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
• Some other race
• Two or more races (multiracial)

Variables / Data Columns

• Race: This column displays the racial categories (for Non-Hispanic) for the Boston town
• Population: The population of the racial category (for Non-Hispanic) in the Boston town is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the percentage distribution of each race as a proportion of Boston town total Non-Hispanic population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Boston town Population by Race & Ethnicity. You can refer the same here

Census tracts are created by the U.S. Census Bureau to be small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county. Census tracts average about 4,000 inhabitants: minimum population –1,200 and maximum population –8,000. Census tracts are split or merged every 10 years, depending on population change, with local feedback through the Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP).

The BPDA Research Division prepared Census data on total population, population by race and ethnicity, voting-age population, group quarters populations, and housing occupancy for use in the 2022 City Council redistricting process. These data reflect 2020 census block-level data from the 2020 Decennial Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data aggregated to the 275 precincts (as amended April 6, 2022) and the 9 current City Council Districts. Also included are 2010 estimates for these geographies based on 2010 census block-level.

Notes on coding of Race and Ethnicity:

The data presented here follow the conventions recommended by the Department of Justice in their September 1, 2021 guidance on the use of race and ethnicity data in redistricting. This differs from other commonly reported race and ethnicity groupings in that it groups those reporting 2 races, one White and one non-White, as being members of the non-White race reported. Thus a person reporting White and Black would be categorized here as Black. All residents of Hispanic or Latino origin, regardless of reported race, are grouped together. This coding appears on page 12 of the guidance that can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1429486/download

Notes on 2010 data:

For 2010 data the BPDA Research Division crosswalked 2010 census block data to 2020 boundaries using a combination of block assignment and areal interpolation based on Census Tiger shapefiles and the publicly available boundary files for Boston electoral geographies. For blocks split across 2020 boundaries the entire 2010 population was assigned to one side of the boundary if no residential structures within that block existed on the other side of the boundary. In cases where residential structures were present on both sides of the boundary, areal interpolation was used to assign the block's population and housing units based on the share of the land area of the block falling on either side of the boundary. These numbers will differ from those produced using different crosswalking methods.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the New Boston town population over the last 20 plus years. It lists the population for each year, along with the year on year change in population, as well as the change in percentage terms for each year. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population change of New Boston town across the last two decades. For example, using this dataset, we can identify if the population is declining or increasing. If there is a change, when the population peaked, or if it is still growing and has not reached its peak. We can also compare the trend with the overall trend of United States population over the same period of time.

Key observations

In 2023, the population of New Boston town was 6,182, a 0.28% increase year-by-year from 2022. Previously, in 2022, New Boston town population was 6,165, a decline of 0.21% compared to a population of 6,178 in 2021. Over the last 20 plus years, between 2000 and 2023, population of New Boston town increased by 2,014. In this period, the peak population was 6,182 in the year 2023. The numbers suggest that the population has not reached its peak yet and is showing a trend of further growth. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Data Coverage:

• From 2000 to 2023

Variables / Data Columns

• Year: This column displays the data year (Measured annually and for years 2000 to 2023)
• Population: The population for the specific year for the New Boston town is shown in this column.
• Year on Year Change: This column displays the change in New Boston town population for each year compared to the previous year.
• Change in Percent: This column displays the year on year change as a percentage. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for New Boston town Population by Year. You can refer the same here

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate in Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH (NECTA) (BOST625UR) from Jan 1990 to Dec 2024 about Boston, NH, MA, unemployment, rate, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for 90% Confidence Interval Lower Bound of Estimate of Median Household Income for South Boston City, VA (DISCONTINUED) (MHICILBVA51780A052NCEN) from 1993 to 1993 about households, median, income, and USA.

The Census Bureau does not recognize or release data for Boston neighborhoods. However, Census tracts can be aggregated to approximate Boston neighborhood boundaries to allow for reporting and visualization of Census data at the neighborhood level. Census tracts are created by the U.S. Census Bureau as statistical geographic subdivisions of a county defined for the tabulation and presentation of data from the decennial census and the American Community Survey. The 2020 Census tract boundary files for Boston can be found here. These tract-approximated neighborhood boundaries are used for work with Census data. Work that does not rely on Census data generally uses the Boston neighborhood boundaries found here.

U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts statistics for New Boston town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. QuickFacts data are derived from: Population Estimates, American Community Survey, Census of Population and Housing, Current Population Survey, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, State and County Housing Unit Estimates, County Business Patterns, Nonemployer Statistics, Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners, Building Permits.

The Boston Area Research Initiative’s Geographical Infrastructure for Boston is a database that organizes and links the places and regions of Boston, MA across 17 levels—including land parcels, streets, census geographies, and other administrative regions. The levels are organized in a hierarchy, with the items in each level nested in the higher-level regions that contain it (e.g., land parcels in census geographies). This is coordinated via variables that act as unique identifiers at each level. As a composite, the database is intended to facilitate aggregate calculations across levels of the hierarchy and analyses of data from different sources that reference the same geographical units. In particular, the database makes it possible to connect data sets generated by the City of Boston with census geographies and data. Note: Only data sets that were updated in 2021 are posted here. See earlier versions of the Geographical Infrastructure for the other data sets (e.g., census, administrative geographies)

Graph and download economic data for 90% Confidence Interval Upper Bound of Estimate of Percent of Related Children Age 5-17 in Families in Poverty for South Boston City, VA (DISCONTINUED) (PPCIUB5T17VA51780A156NCEN) from 1989 to 1993 about 5 to 17 years, child, family, poverty, percent, persons, and USA.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the population of Boston town by race. It includes the population of Boston town across racial categories (excluding ethnicity) as identified by the Census Bureau. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution of Boston town across relevant racial categories.

Key observations

The percent distribution of Boston town population by race (across all racial categories recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau): 93.40% are white, 0.01% are Black or African American, 0.14% are American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.55% are Asian, 1.50% are some other race and 4.40% are multiracial.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Racial categories include:

• White
• Black or African American
• American Indian and Alaska Native
• Asian
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
• Some other race
• Two or more races (multiracial)

Variables / Data Columns

• Race: This column displays the racial categories (excluding ethnicity) for the Boston town
• Population: The population of the racial category (excluding ethnicity) in the Boston town is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the percentage distribution of each race as a proportion of Boston town total population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Boston town Population by Race & Ethnicity. You can refer the same here