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NEIGHBORHOOD

South Boston

Massachusetts · Boston · 43,446 residents · 3.065 sq mi
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The short version

South Boston is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $165,929. Population has held roughly steady since 2024. 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $947,592. At a median age of 33.4, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 70% more than the Boston median. These figures are approximated by combining the 19 census tracts that make up South Boston; 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 33.4
US median: 38.9
More educated
72% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
41% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
43,446
Population density
14,175 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
33.4
US average: 38.9
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$165,929
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$108,983
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
75.8%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.0%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.428
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services17.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration15.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Information8.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade7.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Wholesale trade2.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$947,592
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$2,919
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
41.5%
58.5% rent
Vacancy rate
8.9%
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
29.1%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.1%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.7
RELATED:See current rent listings in South Boston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2024
White, non-Hispanic77.1%(33,477)
Black3.6%(1,552)
Hispanic / Latino9.2%(4,017)
Asian6.7%(2,898)
Other3.5%(1,502)
Diversity Score48.8%(21,223)
2024
White, non-Hispanic77.1%(33,477)
Black3.6%(1,552)
Hispanic / Latino9.2%(4,017)
Asian6.7%(2,898)
Other3.5%(1,502)
Diversity Score48.8%(21,223)
Diversity Score
49
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
72.1%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.3%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
28.0%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.2 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
29.1%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.7%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
22.8%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
28.6%
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
12.4%
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.9%
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
30.0%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.4%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
82.9%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.9%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
66.3%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
Female
50.5%
Foreign born
15.0%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.8%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.1%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.8%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.6%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
82.1%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.7%
US average: 13.6%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Boston

AllstonBack BayBayBeacon HillBrightonCharlestownDowntownEast BostonFenwayHyde ParkJamaica PlainKenmoreMattapanMission HillNorth DorchesterNorth EndRoslindaleRoxburySouth DorchesterSouth EndWest EndWest RoxburyNeighborhoods in Boston
Drill deeper

Places similar to South Boston

Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill
Pop 39,977
East Midtown-Turtle Bay
Pop 42,046
Rancho Penasquitos
Pop 50,750
La Jolla
Pop 34,806
Places similar to South Boston
Head to head

Compare South Boston side by side

SOUTH BOSTON VS
Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill
Income$169,390+2%
Home value$1,374,007+45%
Population39,977−8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH BOSTON VS
East Midtown-Turtle Bay
Income$176,801+7%
Home value$1,055,547+11%
Population42,046−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH BOSTON VS
Rancho Penasquitos
Income$169,253+2%
Home value$1,101,176+16%
Population50,750+17%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH BOSTON VS
La Jolla
Income$167,500+1%
Home value$1,698,258+79%
Population34,806−20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts?

South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts has about 43,446 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts?

The typical household in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts earns about $165,929 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts expensive?

In South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $947,592, and the typical rent is about $2,919 a month.

How educated are people in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts?

About 72.1% of adults age 25 and over in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts?

About 10.0% of people in South Boston, 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 →