South Dorchester is a neighborhood of 66,039 people in Boston. 42% of homes are owner-occupied. The foreign-born share is 34%. The typical home is worth $671,063. There are 16,929 people per square mile. Getting to work takes 35 minutes on average. These figures are approximated by combining the 14 census tracts that make up South Dorchester; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.
At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 38.9
Average education
36% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
42% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
66,039
Population density
16,929 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
38.6
US average: 38.9
Land area
3.90 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$86,273
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$43,495
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
53.8%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.8%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.469
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information9.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance5.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration4.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$671,063
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$2,006
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
42.3%
57.7% rent
Vacancy rate
5.5%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.68 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
37.3%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.3%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
7.8
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic25.2%(16,651)
Black33.1%(21,863)
Hispanic / Latino18.7%(12,377)
Asian11.5%(7,569)
Other11.5%(7,579)
2024
White, non-Hispanic25.2%(16,651)
Black33.1%(21,863)
Hispanic / Latino18.7%(12,377)
Asian11.5%(7,569)
Other11.5%(7,579)
Diversity Score
96
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
How many people live in South Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts?
South Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts has about 66,039 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in South Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts?
The typical household in South Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts earns about $86,273 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is South Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts expensive?
In South Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $671,063, and the typical rent is about $2,006 a month.
How educated are people in South Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts?
About 35.7% of adults age 25 and over in South Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in South Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts?
About 14.8% of people in South Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.
