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This is the website for the City of Boston’s new Planning Department, which launched on July 1. The staff and many responsibilities of the Boston Planning & Development Agency have moved to the Planning Department of the City of Boston including planning & zoning, urban design, development review, and real estate divisions. Please excuse any misalignment you may see on our site as we transition to the City. Learn more

Research Publications

Explore the Research Division publications below by keyword, neighborhood, or topic. If you have questions about these documents or are looking for specific information, please review the Frequently Requested Information page. This page features publications covering the most requested economic and demographic data for Boston.

A-to-Z
Celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Jun 17 2024 Publication Date

With over 137,000 residents with Caribbean ancestry living in Boston, Caribbeans make important demographic, economic, and cultural contributions to the city. This presentation provides an overview of many characteristics that demonstrate these contributions. A summarizing infographic is available here.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
Exploring Boston Neighborhood Park Usage and Users

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Jun 07 2024 Publication Date

This presentation, a collaboration between BPDA Research and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, investigates the park usage patterns and user demographics of 3 of Boston's neighborhood parks: Ringer park in Allston, McLaughlin park in Mission Hill, and Ronan park in Dorchester. Further, it considers factors potentially influencing park usage.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
Celebrating Asian / Pacific American Heritage Month: A Profile of AAPI Residents and Workers in Boston

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

May 13 2024 Publication Date

This presentation provides a current snapshot of the demographic, educational, and labor force characteristics of the AAPI residents and workers in Boston. In addition, the presentation analyzes selected household characteristics of the two populations.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
Boston's Population: 2025-2050 and Implications

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Apr 03 2024 Publication Date

BPDA Research Division has updated its 2050 population projections for Boston. This projection uses the BPDA Research Division’s adjusted 2020 population for Boston and uses new demographic trend data to project Boston’s population by age group out to 2050.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
Global, National and Regional Demographic Trends affecting Boston's Future

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Mar 19 2024 Publication Date

The following presentation explores global, national, and local demographic trends and their impact on Boston's population. A summarizing infographic is available here.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
Evolution of Boston's Home Financing: Analyzing Changes in Mortgage Applicants

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Feb 22 2024 Publication Date

This presentation explores Boston's home purchase mortgage environment to understand the trends and changes in mortgage applicant composition by income and race/ethnicity from 2007 to 2022, using HMDA data from the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Income & Poverty, Language, Race, Real Estate & Development
Boston by the Numbers 2023

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Dec 13 2023 Publication Date

Boston by the Numbers explores the characteristics of Boston's population and economy. This report breaks down the population by age group, gender, and nativity. It also looks at Boston's colleges and universities, housing, and land use, using the most recent American Community Survey data.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
Boston at a Glance 2023

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Aug 14 2023 Publication Date

Boston at a Glance is a demographic fact sheet for the city of Boston. The 2023 update uses current U.S. Census data from the American Community Survey including ACS 2017-2021 5-year estimates.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
Historical Trends in Boston’s Neighborhoods

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Jun 01 2023 Publication Date

A presentation on historical trends in Boston’s neighborhoods between 1950 and 2020, with a focus on population, housing, age distribution, race & ethnicity, nativity, educational attainment, and labor force participation.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race
Historical Profile of Boston's Neighborhoods

All Neighborhoods Neighborhoods

Mar 07 2023 Publication Date

A look at Boston's neighborhood through Decennial Census Data from 1950-2020.


Topics: Age, Education, Foreign-born, Gender, Households & Families, Language, Race