Research Publications

This report explores characteristics of Boston's domestic migration, looking at net migration and in and out flows, to understand trends behind Boston's recent population growth.

Boston at a Glance is a demographic fact sheet for the city of Boston. The 2021 update uses current U.S. Census data from the American Community Survey including ACS 2019 1-year estimate and ACS 2015-2019 5-year estimates.

Boston in Context tabulates various social, demographic, and economic characteristics from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey by Boston Neighborhood. Citywide totals as well as totals for Massachusetts and the United States are provided for comparison.

Boston by the Numbers is a report that highlights 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.

Throughout 2019, the Mayor's Office of Economic Development hosted a series of discussions exploring the economic contributions and challenges facing different communities in Boston. The thumbnail image provides a pdf of all the presentations given to date, while the following links provide access to individual community presentations.

• Brazilians: A Prosperous Boston for All
• Boston: Uma Cidade Próspera Para Todos



• Cape Verdeans: A Prosperous Boston for All
• Cape Verdeans in Three Massachusetts Cities



• Cape Verdeans in Brockton


• Cape Verdeans in New Bedford


• Caribbeans: A Prosperous Boston for All


• Haitians: A Prosperous Boston for All


• Dominicans: A Prosperous Boston for All


• Dominicanos: Un Boston para Todos


• Puerto Ricans: A Prosperous Boston for All


• Puertorriqueños: Un Boston para Todos


• Vietnamese: A Prosperous Boston for All


• Boston Thịnh Vượng Cho Mọi Người Việt Nam

This document is a two-page reference to frequently requested information about Boston's population and development. The primary data source is the 2014-2018 5-year American Community Survey.

Boston in Context tabulates various social, demographic, and economic characteristics from the 2014-2018 American Community Survey by Boston Neighborhood. Citywide totals as well as totals for Massachusetts and the United States are provided for comparison.

This white paper reviews the three following census programs: Decennial Census, Population Estimates Program’s (PEP) Annual Estimates of the Resident Population, and the American Community Survey (ACS). The paper examines the differences between the programs and how their methodologies affect Boston population estimates.

With a Brazilian population of 111,224 in 2017, Massachusetts was home to 16% of all Brazilians in the United States. This report provides a demographic profile of Brazilians living in Massachusetts, including those who were born in Brazil and others who claim Brazilian ancestry.

A brief overview of demographic, economic, and development data for each Boston neighborhood. This is an update to the Neighborhood Profiles released in 2017. Click the thumbnail image for a compilation of all profiles, or click on the following links for individual neighborhood profiles: Allston, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Longwood, Mattapan, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South Boston Waterfront, South End, West End, West Roxbury