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.

About this dataset

Context

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

Key observations

The percent distribution of Boston population by race (across all racial categories recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau): 96.18% are white and 3.82% 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
• Population: The population of the racial category (excluding ethnicity) in the Boston is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the percentage distribution of each race as a proportion of Boston 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 Population by Race & Ethnicity. You can refer the same here

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.

How racially diverse are residents in Massachusetts? This topic shows the demographic breakdown of residents by race/ethnicity and the increases in the Non-white population since 2010.

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

About this dataset

Context

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

Key observations

Of the Non-Hispanic population in Boston, the largest racial group is White alone with a population of 295,342 (54.88% 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
• Population: The population of the racial category (for Non-Hispanic) in the Boston is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the percentage distribution of each race as a proportion of Boston 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 Population by Race & Ethnicity. You can refer the same here

Historical Dataset of Boston Latin School is provided by PublicSchoolReview and contain statistics on metrics:Total Students Trends Over Years (1991-2023),Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (2005-2023),Distribution of Students By Grade Trends,Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (2005-2023),Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023),Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023),Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023),White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023),Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2023),Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023),Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2000-2023),Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2001-2014),Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022),Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022),Science Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2021-2022),Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2011-2022),Graduation Rate Comparison Over Years (2012-2022)

Historical Dataset of Boston Avenue School is provided by PublicSchoolReview and contain statistics on metrics:Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2008),Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1987-2008),Distribution of Students By Grade Trends,Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1987-2008),Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2008),Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2008),White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2008),Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1988-2008),Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1988-2008)

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 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

Historical Dataset of New Boston Daep is provided by PublicSchoolReview and contain statistics on metrics:Total Students Trends Over Years (2006-2018),Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2015-2016),White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2006-2016),Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (2015-2016)

Historical Dataset of New Boston School District is provided by PublicSchoolReview and contain statistics on metrics:Comparison of Diversity Score Trends,Total Revenues Trends,Total Expenditure Trends,Average Revenue Per Student Trends,Average Expenditure Per Student Trends,Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends,Math Proficiency Trends,Science Proficiency Trends,Overall School District Rank Trends,Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1998-2013),Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1995-2023),Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2023),White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1992-2023),Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2023),Comparison of Students By Grade Trends

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.

Summary

The State of Early Education and Care in Boston: Supply, Demand, Affordability, and Quality, is the first in what is planned as a recurrent landscape survey of early childhood, preschool and childcare programs in every neighborhood of Boston. It focuses on potential supply, demand and gaps in child-care seats (availability, quality and affordability). This report’s estimates set a baseline understanding to help focus and track investments and policy changes for early childhood in the city.

This publication is a culmination of efforts by a diverse data committee representing providers, parents, funding agencies, policymakers, advocates, and researchers. The report includes data from several sources, such as American Community Survey, Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Boston Public Health Commission, City of Boston, among others. For detailed information on methodology, findings and recommendations, please access the full report here

The first dataset contains all Census data used in the publication. Data is presented by neighborhoods:

• Population 0 – 5 years;
• Population 0 – 2 years;
• Population 3 – 5 years;
• Race/ethnicity for children 0 – 4 years (White, non-Hispanic; Black; Asian; Hispanic/Latinx);
• Family type (married couples, female householder, male householder);
• Poverty status;
• Family median income in the past 12 months;
• Average cost of care as a percentage of median family income (infant, preschool);
• Share of families that cannot afford care (infant, preschool)

The Boston Planning & Development Agency Research Division analyzed 2013-2017 American Community Survey data to estimate numbers by ZIP-Code. The Boston Opportunity Agenda combined that data by the approximate neighborhoods and estimated cost of care and affordability.

Additional notes:

• Record Type: Each record represents a ZIP-Code defined neighborhood. See list below for detailed information on Boston ZIP-Codes used to create each one of the 15 neighborhoods.
• Data Quality: Numbers presented here came from 2013-2017 American Community Survey data. Therefore, these are ESTIMATES and have margin of errors. The smaller the geographical unit, the greater the margin of error. The Boston Planning & Development Agency analyzed the data to estimate numbers by ZIP-Code.
• Race/Ethnicity: Non-White Hispanics may be double counted due to data limitations.
• Cost of Care: The average cost of care as a percentage of median family income was computed assuming the annual average cost of infant care was $19,877 and the average cost of preschool care was $ 13,771 (Childcare Aware of America, 2019). For each neighborhood we estimated the impact of child care (infant and preschool) on its median annual family income.
• Affordability: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) sets a standard regarding the affordability of child care, where the annual cost of child care should not exceed 10 percent of household annual income. Using this 10% threshold, we estimated that to afford market rate infant care, a family’s annual income would have to be at least $198,770. The census income bracket closest to this income was a family income of $150,000– 199,999. To afford preschool care, a family's annual income should be at least $137,710. Thus, the census income bracket that encompass this income is $125,000 - 149,999. For both infant and preschool care, we underestimated the number of families that can afford care.

Graph and download economic data for White to Non-White Racial Dissimilarity (5-year estimate) Index for Middlesex County, MA (RACEDISPARITY025017) from 2009 to 2023 about Middlesex County, MA; racial dissimilarity; non-white; Boston; MA; white; 5-year; and USA.

Historical Dataset of Boston Adult Tech Academy is provided by PublicSchoolReview and contain statistics on metrics:Total Students Trends Over Years (2003-2023),Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (2005-2023),Distribution of Students By Grade Trends,Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (2005-2023),Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2023),Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2023),Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2023),White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2023),Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2023),Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (2003-2023),Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2004-2023),Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2001-2014),Graduation Rate Comparison Over Years (2012-2022)

The population density picture of Boston is generally a story of two Bostons: the high density central and northern neighborhoods, and the low density southern neighborhoods.The highest density areas of Boston are particularly concentrated in Brighton, Allston, and the Fenway area, areas of the city with large numbers of college students and young adults. There is also high population density in areas such as the Back Bay, the South End, Charlestown, the North End, and South Boston. These are all relatively small areas geographically, but have housing stock conducive to population density (e.g. multi-family dwelling units, row housing, large apartment buildings). The southern neighborhoods, specifically Hyde Park and West Roxbury, have significant numbers of people living in them, but lots sizes tend to be much larger. These areas of the city also tend to have more single family dwelling units. In that, there are fewer people per square mile than places north in the city. Census data reveals that population density varies noticeably from area to area. Small area census data do a better job depicting where the crowded neighborhoods are. In this map, areas of highest density exceed 30,000 persons per square kilometer. Very high density areas exceed 7,000 persons per square kilometer. High density areas exceed 5,200 persons per square kilometer. The last categories break at 3,330 persons per square kilometer, and 1,500 persons per square kilometer.How to make this map for your city

Historical Dataset of New Boston High School is provided by PublicSchoolReview and contain statistics on metrics:Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023),Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1991-2023),Distribution of Students By Grade Trends,Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1991-2023),Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2000-2016),Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1992-2023),Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023),White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023),Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023),Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023),Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1993-2023),Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1999-2023),Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022),Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022),Science Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2021-2022),Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2011-2022),Graduation Rate Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)

About this dataset

Context

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

Key observations

Of the Non-Hispanic population in Boston, the largest racial group is White alone with a population of 252 (98.82% 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
• Population: The population of the racial category (for Non-Hispanic) in the Boston is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the percentage distribution of each race as a proportion of Boston 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 Population by Race & Ethnicity. You can refer the same here

Graph and download economic data for White to Non-White Racial Dissimilarity (5-year estimate) Index for Norfolk County, MA (RACEDISPARITY025021) from 2009 to 2023 about Norfolk County, MA; racial dissimilarity; non-white; Boston; MA; white; 5-year; and USA.