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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Boston

Massachusetts · 589,141 residents · 48.34 sq mi
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The short version

Boston has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $39,629. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $210,100. At a median age of 31.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Despite a median home value of $210,100, the poverty rate sits 57% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 31.1
US median: 35.2
More educated
36% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

589,141
+3%since 1990
from 574,283 in 1990
1990 – 2025
12,187 / sq mi
+3%since 1990
from 11,880 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
31.1
+2%since 1990
from 30.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
563K596K629K662K695K1990201020202024Boston
2024666K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$39,629
+3%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $29,180 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$23,353
+50%since 1990
from $15,581 in 1990
US average: $21,522
19.5%
+0.8 ptssince 1990
from 18.7% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$210,100
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 1990
from $160,100 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$803
−2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $625 in 1990
US average: $602
32.2%
+1.4 ptssince 1990
from 30.9% in 1990
67.8% rent
5.3
−3%since 1990
from 5.5 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Boston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic63%(361,513)
Black25.5%(146,695)
Hispanic / Latino10.4%(59,692)
Asian5.3%(30,457)
Diversity Score75.9%(435,712)
2000
White, non-Hispanic49.5%(291,561)
Black23.8%(140,305)
Hispanic / Latino14.4%(85,089)
Asian7.5%(44,009)
Diversity Score79.8%(469,943)
80
+5%since 1990
from 76 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

35.6%
+5.6 ptssince 1990
from 30.0% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
78.9%
+3.2 ptssince 1990
from 75.7% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
15.3%
+2.9 ptssince 1990
from 12.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

19.2 min
−19%since 1990
from 23.8 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Neighborhoods in Boston

AllstonBack BayBayBeacon HillBrightonCharlestownDowntownEast BostonFenwayHyde ParkJamaica PlainKenmoreMattapanMission HillNorth DorchesterNorth EndRoslindaleRoxburySouth BostonSouth DorchesterSouth EndWest EndWest RoxburyNeighborhoods in Boston
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Places similar to Boston

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Boston, Massachusetts?

Boston, Massachusetts has about 589,141 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Boston, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Boston, Massachusetts earns about $39,629 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Boston, Massachusetts expensive?

In Boston, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $210,100, and the typical rent is about $803 a month.

How educated are people in Boston, Massachusetts?

About 35.6% of adults age 25 and over in Boston, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Boston, Massachusetts?

About 19.5% of people in Boston, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Boston, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Boston, Massachusetts has grown since 1990. The population has added about 14,858 residents, a change of about 3 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →