Boston, MA

Census Place

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2021 Population

672,814

2.4% 1-year decline

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

32.6

0.617% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

17.6%

1.92% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$81,744

7.14% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$610,400

5.02% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

374,449

2.55% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Boston, MA had a population of 673k people with a median age of 32.6 and a median household income of $81,744. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Boston, MA declined from 689,326 to 672,814, a −2.4% decrease and its median household income grew from $76,298 to $81,744, a 7.14% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Boston, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (44%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (21.7%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (9.59%), White (Hispanic) (6.13%), and Other (Hispanic) (5.92%).

None of the households in Boston, MA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

86.3% of the residents in Boston, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Boston, MA are Boston University (11,580 degrees awarded in 2021), Northeastern University (8,157 degrees), and University of Massachusetts-Boston (3,924 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Boston, MA was $610,400, and the homeownership rate was 34.8%.

Most people in Boston, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 30.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Boston, MA was 1 car per household.

Photo by Robbie Shade

United States Massachusetts Suffolk County, MA Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Population & Diversity

Boston, MA is home to a population of 673k people, from which 86.3% are citizens. As of 2021, 28.1% of Boston, MA residents were born outside of the country (189k people).

In 2021, there were 2.03 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (296k people) in Boston, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 146k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 64.5k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

86.3%

2021 Citizenship

85.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 86.3% of Boston, MA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Boston, MA was 85.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Boston, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Boston, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
296k ± 2.09k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
146k ± 1.99k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
64.5k ± 1.26k

19.8%

Hispanic Population

133k people

19.8% of the people in Boston, MA are hispanic (133k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Boston, MA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.

Most Common Origin

China
102,889 ± 7,817 people
Dominican Republic
98,796 ± 7,662 people
Brazil
87,929 ± 7,234 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 102,889 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 98,796 and Brazil with 87,929.

Foreign-Born Population

28.1%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

189k people

28.2%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

195k people

As of 2021, 28.1% of Boston, MA residents (189k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Boston, MA was 28.2%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Boston, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
4,049 ± 525
Vietnam
3,690 ± 499
Gulf War (1990s)
1,278 ± 313

Boston, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.1 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Boston, MA employs 374k people. The largest industries in Boston, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (67,932 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (55,506 people), and Educational Services (49,863 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($110,407), Finance & Insurance ($91,463), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($85,515).

Males in Massachusetts have an average income that is 1.31 times higher than the average income of females, which is $74,737. The income inequality in Massachusetts (measured using the Gini index) is 0.48, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

374k

2021 Value

± 4,999

−2.55%

1 Year decline

± 1.92%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Boston, MA declined at a rate of −2.55%, from 384k employees to 374k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Boston, MA, are Management Occupations (45,638 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (37,209 people), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (34,345 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Boston, MA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Massachusetts (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

374k

2021 Value

± 4,999

−2.55%

1 Year decline

± 1.92%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Boston, MA declined at a rate of −2.55%, from 384k employees to 374k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Boston, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (67,932 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (55,506 people), and Educational Services (49,863 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Boston, MA, though some of these residents may live in Boston, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$56,669

Median earning men ± $1,124

$48,629

Median earning women ± $1,325

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($95,595), Public Administration ($83,419), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($79,076).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Manufacturing ($77,750), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($73,857), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($68,421).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Massachusetts. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Massachusetts.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $37.1B, followed by Mixed freight ($29.7B) and Electronics ($28.8B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Massachusetts products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts.

$296B

2020 Value in Massachusetts

$627B

Projected 2050 Value in Massachusetts

112% growth

In 2020, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $296B. This is expected to increase 112% to $627B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Massachusetts trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Most Common Trade Partners

New York
$28.8B
New Hampshire
$20.3B
Connecticut
$14.2B

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $28.8B, followed by New Hampshire with $20.3B and Connecticut and $14.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Massachusetts shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 65.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.29%).

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing the state of Massachusetts. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Boston, MA. Showing the available data for Massachusetts.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (65.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (31.9%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.29%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 65.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.29%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Massachusetts for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Massachusetts

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Elizabeth Warren

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ed Markey

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on July 16, 2013
Elected to the seat to succeed Mo Cowan, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of John Kerry, who had become Secretary of State.

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing Massachusetts.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Massachusetts over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Massachusetts

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Massachusetts have changed over time starting in 2008.

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Education

In 2021, universities in Boston, MA awarded 44,525 degrees. The student population of Boston, MA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 125,366 male students and 181,372 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Boston, MA are White (18,290 and 54%), followed by Asian (4,638 and 13.7%), Hispanic or Latino (4,190 and 12.4%), and Black or African American (3,119 and 9.21%).

The largest universities in Boston, MA by number of degrees awarded are Boston University (11,580 and 26%), Northeastern University (8,157 and 18.3%), and University of Massachusetts-Boston (3,924 and 8.81%).

The most popular majors in Boston, MA are General Business Administration & Management (2,390 and 5.37%), Registered Nursing (1,306 and 2.93%), and General Business (1,205 and 2.71%).

The median tuition costs in Boston, MA are $39,146 for private four year colleges, and $7,609 and $30,640 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Boston, MA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 35.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 22.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 306,738 (40.9% men and 59.1% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 306,738 students enrolled in Boston, MA, 40.9% men and 59.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 119,162 records, of which 60.8% were women and 39.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
1,525 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
1,064 degree-majors awarded
General Business
922 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Boston, MA was General Business Administration & Management with 1,525 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Boston, MA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Boston University
11,580 degrees awarded
Northeastern University
8,157 degrees awarded
University of Massachusetts-Boston
3,924 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Boston University with 11,580 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 17,974 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Boston, MA, which is 0.677 times less than the 26,551 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 18,290 degrees mean that there were 3.94 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 4,638 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($39,146) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($6,830) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($2,008) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Measure

In 2021, 1.06% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.14% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.35M), Bachelors Degree (1.33M), and Some college (1.01M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Boston, MA was $610,400 in 2021, which is 2.49 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $581,200 to $610,400, a 5.02% increase. The homeownership rate in Boston, MA is 34.8%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Boston, MA have an average commute time of 30.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Boston, MA is lower than the national average, with an average of 1 car per household.

Median household income in Boston, MA is $81,744. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Boston, MA was Census Tract 706 with a value of $206,667, followed by Census Tract 1201.03 and Census Tract 401, with respective values of $196,563 and $165,926.

Housing

Property

$610,400

Median Property Value 2021

±$7,507

$94,579

Median Property Taxes

±$2,088

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Boston, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Boston, MA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

34.8%

Homeownership

2021

65.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 34.8% of the housing units in Boston, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 35.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Boston, MA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 706
Census Tract 1201.03
Census Tract 401

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Boston, MA was Census Tract 706 with a value of $206,667, followed by Census Tract 1201.03 and Census Tract 401, with respective values of $196,563 and $165,926.

The following map shows all of the places in Boston, MA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$81,744

Median Household Income

± $1,679

272k

Number of Households

± 4,050

In 2021, the median household income of the 272k households in Boston, MA grew to $81,744 from the previous year's value of $76,298.

The following chart displays the households in Boston, MA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Boston, MA is from Massachusetts.

0.48

2021 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.48

2020 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2021, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.48 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0427% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Massachusetts in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Massachusetts across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (36.1%)
Public Transit (28%)
Walked (14.4%)

In 2021, 36.1% of workers in Boston, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who used public transit to get to work (28%) and those who walked to work (14.4%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

30.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Boston, MA have a longer commute time (30.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.14% of the workforce in Boston, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Boston, MA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

1 car

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Boston, MA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Boston, MA have 1 car.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

17.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Boston, MA (111k out of 630k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Boston, MA is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

96.6% of the population of Boston, MA has health coverage, with 53.3% on employee plans, 24.2% on Medicaid, 6.83% on Medicare, 11.8% on non-group plans, and 0.451% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Massachusetts was $10,559 in 2014. This is a 2.78% increase from the previous year ($10,273).

Primary care physicians in Suffolk County, MA see 648 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.43% decrease from the previous year (671 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 452 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 107 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Suffolk County, MA.

648 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Suffolk County, MA

Primary care physicians in Suffolk County, MA see an average of 648 patients per year. This represents a 3.43% decrease from the previous year (671 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Suffolk County, MA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 17.9% under 18 years, 36.8% between 18 and 34 years, 33.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 11.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.2% were men and 52.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

3.42%

Uninsured

53.3%

Employer Coverage

24.2%

Medicaid

6.83%

Medicare

11.8%

Non-Group

0.451%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Boston, MA declined by 3.01% from 3.53% to 3.42%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Boston, MA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.