Research Publications

This report re-visits previous research conducted by the BRA Research Division examining the characteristics of Metro Boston’s workforce with limited English language skills and the importance of language skills in the labor market using the newest available demographic data and updated labor market data. The current research finds that Metro Boston's workforce with limited English language skills appears to be significantly larger than it was in 2000. Moreover, the disparity in pay and the potential growth rates between occupations requiring low language skills and jobs requiring at least modest language skills stands out even more in our region than previously reported.

Boston’s job growth has been responsible for leading the economic recovery of the Massachusetts economy since the end of the national recession in the early 2000s. Boston continues to be the economic hub of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the center for commerce in New England – attracting workers from all over the world for jobs in finance, professional services, education and health care.

This report looks at the language challenges of the foreign-born population in Metro Boston and analyzes the language skill requirements for the current labor market, as well as projections for 2014.

The Labor Market Assessment Tool (LMAT) is an interactive computer-based program that is capable of estimating wages and the distribution of occupations by educational, skill, knowledge, and training requirements by industry for both current and future labor market scenarios

A collection of thematic maps showing some of the important demographic, housing and socio-economic characteristics of Boston neighborhoods based on Census 2000 and other sources.

A collection of boundary maps showing some of the important political, administrative and reporting geographies of Boston and neighborhoods based on US Census Bureau and other public entities.

Check out our new series on the largest industries in the City of Boston, that contains facts including employment, major employers, education, and more.

Boston's economy presented in a series of graphs showing Boston's share of Massachusetts' jobs, goods and services, and tax revenues.

This report for 2007 presents the major economic, real estate market, and demographic trends for the city and region. Much of the data in this report extends through year-end 2006 and into the first quarter of 2007.

Higher Education, a leading industry in Boston, is a source of economic, social and cultural strength. However, housing markets get pressure from students’ demand for on-campus dormitories and by intensive use of off-campus neighborhood apartments. This report summarizes survey results from the University Accountability Ordinance, a Boston City Council requirement mandating all private colleges with resident students to report both student enrollment and neighborhood location twice annually.