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METRO AREA · 2000 CENSUS

Boston Metro

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH · 7 counties · 4,391,344 residents · 3,486.097 sq mi
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The short version

Boston is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $55,174. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $212,436.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 36.1
US median: 35.2
More educated
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 8%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,391,344
+6%since 1990
from 4,133,895 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,260 / sq mi
+6%since 1990
from 1,186 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
36.1
+8%since 1990
from 33.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
4.1M4.3M4.5M4.8M5.0M1990201020202024Boston
20245.0M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$55,174
+4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $40,213 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,016
+51%since 1990
from $18,496 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
8.6%
+0.2 ptssince 1990
from 8.3% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$212,436
−8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $174,711 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$773
−8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $640 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
61.3%
+2.3 ptssince 1990
from 59.0% in 1990
38.7% rent
Afford Score
3.9
−11%since 1990
from 4.3 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Boston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic89%(3,678,592)
Black5.7%(233,937)
Hispanic / Latino4.4%(182,315)
Asian2.9%(118,294)
Diversity Score33.4%(1,382,718)
2000
White, non-Hispanic80.7%(3,545,277)
Black5.6%(247,524)
Hispanic / Latino6.4%(281,605)
Asian4.6%(200,625)
Diversity Score37.8%(1,659,763)
Diversity Score
38
+13%since 1990
from 33 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.8%
+6.6 ptssince 1990
from 30.2% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
86.6%
+3.9 ptssince 1990
from 82.7% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
15.3%
+3.4 ptssince 1990
from 11.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.4 min
−13%since 1990
from 23.3 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.

In this metro

Principal cities

BostonCENTRAL672,973CambridgeCENTRAL122,588NewtonCENTRAL90,741FraminghamCENTRAL73,021WalthamCENTRAL65,037
What's inside

7 component counties

Middlesex CountyCENTRAL1,669,979Essex CountyCENTRAL826,653Suffolk CountyCENTRAL791,891Norfolk CountyCENTRAL739,749Plymouth CountyCENTRAL546,829Rockingham CountyCENTRAL324,077Strafford County135,043
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Boston

Seattle
Pop 4,161,883
San Francisco
Pop 4,630,041
Washington
Pop 6,465,724
Riverside
Pop 4,769,007
Places similar to Boston
Head to head

Compare Boston side by side

BOSTON VS
Seattle
Income$116,172+111%
Home value$749,490+253%
Population4,161,883−17%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BOSTON VS
San Francisco
Income$136,713+148%
Home value$1,186,704+459%
Population4,630,041−8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BOSTON VS
Washington
Income$130,074+136%
Home value$613,108+189%
Population6,465,724+28%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BOSTON VS
Riverside
Income$89,505+62%
Home value$532,724+151%
Population4,769,007−5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH has about 4,391,344 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

The typical household in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH earns about $55,174 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH expensive?

In Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, the median home is worth about $212,436, and the typical rent is about $773 a month.

How educated are people in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

About 36.8% of adults age 25 and over in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

About 8.6% of people in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH live below the federal poverty line.

Has Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH grown since 1990?

Yes, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH has grown since 1990. The population has added about 257,449 residents, a change of about 6 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →