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NEIGHBORHOOD

Back Bay

Massachusetts · Boston · 19,544 residents · 1.043 sq mi
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The short version

Back Bay is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $129,082. Population has held roughly steady since 2024. 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $1,523,278. Households here earn about 33% more than the Boston median. These figures are approximated by combining the 9 census tracts that make up Back Bay; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.9
US median: 38.9
More educated
85% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
31% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,544
Population density
18,738 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
36.9
US average: 38.9
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$129,082
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$143,636
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
65.3%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.1%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.597
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services18%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration14.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Information6.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade5.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Wholesale trade1.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,523,278
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$2,720
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
31.4%
68.6% rent
Vacancy rate
17.9%
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.8%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.7%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
11.8
RELATED:See current rent listings in Back Bay on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2024
White, non-Hispanic69.3%(13,540)
Black6.3%(1,232)
Hispanic / Latino8.2%(1,593)
Asian11.5%(2,256)
Other4.7%(923)
Diversity Score61.7%(12,065)
2024
White, non-Hispanic69.3%(13,540)
Black6.3%(1,232)
Hispanic / Latino8.2%(1,593)
Asian11.5%(2,256)
Other4.7%(923)
Diversity Score61.7%(12,065)
Diversity Score
62
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
85.2%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.9%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
44.7%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.0 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
16.5%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
1.9%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
13.9%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
30.9%
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
30.1%
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
4.0%
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
48.8%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.5%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.4%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
72.3%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.1%
Female
53.9%
Foreign born
20.6%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
1.6%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.3%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.6%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.9%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
75.7%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.7%
US average: 13.6%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Boston

AllstonBayBeacon HillBrightonCharlestownDowntownEast BostonFenwayHyde ParkJamaica PlainKenmoreMattapanMission HillNorth DorchesterNorth EndRoslindaleRoxburySouth BostonSouth DorchesterSouth EndWest EndWest RoxburyNeighborhoods in Boston
Drill deeper

Places similar to Back Bay

Rose Garden
Pop 18,809
North Gateway
Pop 20,910
Portola
Pop 20,205
Excelsior
Pop 17,745
Places similar to Back Bay
Head to head

Compare Back Bay side by side

BACK BAY VS
Rose Garden
Income$135,379+5%
Home value$1,332,159−13%
Population18,809−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BACK BAY VS
North Gateway
Income$135,102+5%
Home value$632,046−59%
Population20,910+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BACK BAY VS
Portola
Income$138,182+7%
Home value$1,121,056−26%
Population20,205+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BACK BAY VS
Excelsior
Income$123,600−4%
Home value$1,151,400−24%
Population17,745−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts?

Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts has about 19,544 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts earns about $129,082 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts expensive?

In Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $1,523,278, and the typical rent is about $2,720 a month.

How educated are people in Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts?

About 85.2% of adults age 25 and over in Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts?

About 14.1% of people in Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

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Containing area
Boston

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

How we source and harmonize this data →