Overview of Boston s Population Boston Redevelopment Authority Research Division Alvaro Lima, Director of Research September - 2011
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. 850,000 800,000 801,444 750,000 700,000 697,197 650,000 600,000 550,000 641,071 562,994 574,283 589,141 617,594 500,000 450,000 400,000 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. City Total Population Population Change 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% Source: US Census Bureau, BRA Research Division Analysis
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. City Total Population Population Change 2000 2010 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% Source: US Census Bureau, BRA Research Division Analysis
Demographic Breakdown of Boston s Population Boston is a young city. Currently Boston has the 2 nd highest concentration of young adults (20-34) amongst the largest 25 cities in the US. Boston is a diverse city. Today, Boston ranks 6 th among the 25 largest cities in the US in proportion of the population that is 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. According to the 2005-2009 American Community Survey, 42.9% of Boston s adult population has at least a bachelor s degree, ranking Boston 5 th amongst the 30 largest cities in the nation. Source: 2005-2009 American Community Survey, 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 6% 1980 1% 3% 11% 1990 0% 5% 1% 22% 68% 24% 59% 8% 0% 2000 1% 3% 0% 9% 2010 2% 2% 14% 50% 18% 24% 22% 47% 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% Population Change (2000 2010) South Boston, 12.4% Allston Brighton, 7.7% Charlestown, 8.2% 10% 5% Boston, 4.8% East Boston, 5.5% Jamaica Plain, 4.5% Roxbury, 5.5% Back Bay Beacon Hill, 2.8% Hyde Park, 1.1% 0% 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 North Dorchester, 14 1.4% 16 18 20 5% Roslindale, 6.2% South Dorchester, 5.4% Mattapan, 8.0% 10% West Roxbury, 5.9% 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% 40% Roxbury, 42.7% South End, 34.4% 30% Change in White Population (2000 2010) Central, 20.2% Jamaica Plain, 12.5% Fenway Kenmore, 8.4% Allston Brighton, 3.6% 20% 10% South Boston, 4.8% Charlestown, 4.3% 0% Boston, 0.4% 0 2 Back 4Bay Beacon Hill, 6 1.5% 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 10% 20% North Dorchester, 3.8% West Roxbury, 7.2% Mattapan, 12.1% Roslindale, 18.2% South Dorchester, 17.7% East Boston, 21.1% 30% Hyde Park, 34.1% 40% Harbor Islands, 36.5% 50% Planning Districts Source: 2010 U.S. Census, BRA Research Division Analysis
Change in Black or African American Population BRA Planning Districts (2000 2010) 120% South Boston, 112.1% 100% Change in Black or African American Population (2000 2010) 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 20% Allston Brighton, 10.3% Charlestown, 41.7% Central, 36.2% Back Bay Beacon Hill, 5.1% Boston, 1.6% East Boston, 9.0% Hyde Park, 21.1% Fenway Kenmore, 4.3% North Dorchester, 7.2% South Dorchester, 6.0% Roxbury, 6.1% Mattapan, 10.7% South End, 7.5% Jamaica Plain, 16.0% Harbor Islands, 16.4% Roslindale, 15.2% West Roxbury, 72.2% 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 40% Planning Districts Source: 2010 U.S. Census, BRA Research Division Analysis
Change in Hispanic/Latino Population BRA Planning Districts (2000 2010) 120% 100% West Roxbury, 96.6% Change in Hispanic/Latino Population (2000 2010) 80% 60% 40% 20% Central, 68.2% Hyde Park, 62.0% South Boston, 49.1% East Boston, 42.9% Back Bay Beacon Hill, 29.8% Roxbury, 29.0% Boston, 26.8% Fenway Kenmore, 28.0% Mattapan, 20.1% South Dorchester, 22.1% Allston Brighton, 17.4% Roslindale, 16.1% South End, 20.3% Harbor Islands, 11.7% North Dorchester, 15.9% 0% Charlestown, 9.8% Jamaica Plain, 2.2% 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 20% Planning Districts Source: 2010 U.S. Census, BRA Research Division Analysis
Change in Asian Population BRA Planning Districts (2000 2010) 140% 120% Roxbury, 124.7% 100% Harbor Islands, 100.0% Change in Asian Population (2000 2010) 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 20% Charlestown, 77.2% West Roxbury, 81.5% Fenway Kenmore, 46.3% Back Bay Beacon Hill, 44.9% South End, 44.6% South Boston, 40.6% Boston, 24.6% Allston Brighton, 20.7% Jamaica Plain, 26.7% Central, 18.5% Hyde Park, 12.6% South Dorchester, 11.9% Mattapan, 6.9% 0 2 4 6 8 10 North Dorchester, 0.4% 12 14 16 18 20 East Boston, 8.6% Roslindale, 19.6% 40% Planning Districts Source: 2010 U.S. Census, BRA Research Division Analysis
Planning District Diversity Index: 2000-2010 South Boston Back Bay/ Beacon Hill North Dorchester 0.80 0.70 0.60 South Dorchester 2010 2000 Harbor Islands 0.50 Mattapan 0.40 Boston 0.30 Charlestown 0.20 0.10 South End 0.00 West Roxbury Roslindale Central Hyde Park Allston/ Brighton Jamaica Plain Feneway/ Kenmore East Boston Roxbury Source: 2010 U.S. Census, BRA Research Division Analysis
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% 35% 30% Boston Massachusetts United States 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 Population Source: 2009 American Community Survey Public Use Micro data Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis
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 China 9.0% 9.4% Haiti 7.9% Vietnam El Salvador Brazil Cape Verde Colombia Jamaica 4.6% 4.5% 4.4% 4.2% 4.0% 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.
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% 23.1% 21.9% 24.0% 20.0% 15.0% 16.8% 12.6% 18.1% 16.8% 11.4% 14.1% Foreign Born Native Born 10.0% 5.0% 5.3% 3.8% 0.0% Less than HS High School Some College Associates Degree Bachelors Degree Graduate Degree Source: 2009 American Community Survey Public Use Micro data Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis
45.0% Age by Nativity Older residents make up a far greater share of foreign born residents than native residents. 40.0% 40.6% 35.0% 34.0% 30.0% 26.1% 25.0% 20.0% 21.0% 17.1% 20.7% Foreign Born Native Born 15.0% 12.3% 13.6% 10.0% 9.0% 5.0% 5.7% 0.0% 0 to 17 years 18 to 34 years 35 to 49 years 50 to 64 years 65+ years Source: 2009 American Community Survey Public Use Micro data Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis
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. Native Born Foreign Born 40.3% 59.7% Source: 2009 American Community Survey Public Use Micro data Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis
Income by Nativity A smaller portion of foreign born residents have high paying jobs than native residents. 35% 33% 30% 30% 25% 20% 15% 18% 12% 19% 14% 14% 12% 16% Foreign Born Native Born 10% 9% 7% 5% 3% 3% 5% 4% 1% 0% Less than $10,000 $10,000 to $19,999 $20,000 to $34,999 $35,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 to $99,999 $100,000 to $149,999 $150,000 or more Source: 2009 American Community Survey Public Use Micro data Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis
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 $60,000.00 $66,866.76 $62,678.98 $50,000.00 $40,000.00 $30,000.00 $20,000.00 $17,401.58 $16,317.97 $28,148.54 $22,197.56 $32,240.60 $30,144.64 $42,252.64 $36,249.95 $40,284.47 Foreign Born Native Born $10,000.00 $ Less than High School High School Some College Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree Graduate Degree Source: 2009 American Community Survey Public Use Micro data Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis
Top 5 Countries of Origin for Foreign-Born Population by Planning District Source: 2005-2009 American Community Survey, BRA Research Division Analysis.
Top 5 Countries of Origin for Foreign-Born Population by Planning District (cont.) Source: 2005-2009 American Community Survey, BRA Research Division Analysis.
Top 5 Countries of Origin for Foreign-Born Population by Planning District (cont.) Source: 2005-2009 American Community Survey, BRA Research Division Analysis.
Top 5 Countries of Origin for Foreign-Born Population by Planning District (cont.) Source: 2005-2009 American Community Survey, BRA Research Division Analysis.