Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

4.91M

1.18% 1-year growth

2021 Median Age

38.8

0% 1-year change

2021 Poverty Rate

8.99%

0.119% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$99,039

5.88% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$487,600

5.66% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

2.66M

1.01% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH had a population of 4.91M people with a median age of 38.8 and a median household income of $99,039. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH grew from 4.85M to 4.91M, a 1.18% increase and its median household income grew from $93,537 to $99,039, a 5.88% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH are White (Non-Hispanic) (68.5%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (8.24%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (7.29%), White (Hispanic) (4.26%), and Other (Hispanic) (3.65%).

None of the households in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

90.9% of the residents in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH are Boston University (11,580 degrees awarded in 2021), Harvard University (9,623 degrees), and Northeastern University (8,157 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH was $487,600, and the homeownership rate was 61.6%.

Most people in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 31.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH was 2 cars per household.

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH borders Barnstable Town, MA, Concord, NH, Laconia, NH, Manchester-Nashua, NH, Portland-South Portland, ME, Providence-Warwick, RI-MA, and Worcester, MA-CT.

Photo by Emmanuel Huybrechts

United States Massachusetts New Hampshire

Population & Diversity

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is home to a population of 4.91M people, from which 90.9% are citizens. As of 2021, 19.4% of Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH residents were born outside of the country (952k people).

In 2021, there were 8.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (3.36M people) in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH than any other race or ethnicity. There were 405k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 358k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

90.9%

2021 Citizenship

91.1%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 90.9% of Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH was 91.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

White (Non-Hispanic)
3.36M ± 4.22k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
405k ± 2.37k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
358k ± 3.25k

11.6%

Hispanic Population

570k people

11.6% of the people in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH are hispanic (570k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Most Common Origin

China
106,814 ± 9,353 people
Dominican Republic
103,918 ± 9,416 people
Brazil
90,390 ± 8,451 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts and New Hampshire was China, the natal country of 106,814 Massachusetts and New Hampshire residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 103,918 and Brazil with 90,390.

Foreign-Born Population

19.4%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

952k people

19%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

921k people

As of 2021, 19.4% of Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH residents (952k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH was 19%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
59,864 ± 1,991
Gulf War (2001-)
30,926 ± 1,455
Gulf War (1990s)
20,625 ± 1,350

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.94 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH employs 2.66M people. The largest industries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH are Health Care & Social Assistance (415,812 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (340,269 people), and Educational Services (309,680 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($95,148), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($93,263), and Finance & Insurance ($90,631).

Males in Massachusetts have an average income that is 1.31 times higher than the average income of females, which is $74,737. The income inequality in Massachusetts (measured using the Gini index) is 0.48, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

2.66M

2021 Value

± 13,456

1.01%

1 Year growth

± 0.7%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH grew at a rate of 1.01%, from 2.63M employees to 2.66M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, are Management Occupations (351,683 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (256,372 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (235,244 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Massachusetts and New Hampshire (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

2.66M

2021 Value

± 13,456

1.01%

1 Year growth

± 0.7%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH grew at a rate of 1.01%, from 2.63M employees to 2.66M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, are Health Care & Social Assistance (415,812 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (340,269 people), and Educational Services (309,680 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, though some of these residents may live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$65,952

Median earning men ± $484

$47,460

Median earning women ± $461

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($100,757), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($94,633), and Information ($91,510).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($69,590), Public Administration ($67,135), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($66,142).

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

52,047
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
35,487
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
28,085
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$103M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$68.6M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$52.7M
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts and New Hampshire to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts and New Hampshire product (by dollars) was Electronics with $39.2B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($39B) and Mixed freight ($37B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Massachusetts and New Hampshire products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

$296B

2020 Value in Massachusetts

$627B

Projected 2050 Value in Massachusetts

112% growth

$56.7B

2020 Value in New Hampshire

$105B

Projected 2050 Value in New Hampshire

84.6% growth

In 2020, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $296B. This is expected to increase 112% to $627B by 2050.

Comparatively, total outbound New Hampshire trade was $56.7B. This is expected to increase 84.6% to $105B by 2050.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts and New Hampshire to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Most Common Trade Partners

New York
$32.6B
Connecticut
$15.5B
Texas
$12.6B

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts and New Hampshire domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $32.6B, followed by Connecticut with $15.5B and Texas and $12.6B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Massachusetts and New Hampshire shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts and New Hampshire went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 62.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.35%).

Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Jeanne Shaheen, and Maggie Hassan are the senators currently representing the state of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Massachusetts and New Hampshire is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH. Showing the available data for Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (62.9%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (34.3%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.35%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Elizabeth Warren

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ed Markey

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on July 16, 2013
Elected to the seat to succeed Mo Cowan, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of John Kerry, who had become Secretary of State.

Jeanne Shaheen

Senator from New Hampshire

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Maggie Hassan

Senator from New Hampshire

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Jeanne Shaheen, and Maggie Hassan are the senators currently representing Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Massachusetts and New Hampshire over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Massachusetts and New Hampshire is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Massachusetts and New Hampshire have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH awarded 106,236 degrees. The student population of Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 151,822 male students and 209,153 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH are White (51,488 and 58.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (10,185 and 11.7%), Asian (9,936 and 11.4%), and Black or African American (7,031 and 8.04%).

The largest universities in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH by number of degrees awarded are Boston University (11,580 and 10.9%), Harvard University (9,623 and 9.06%), and Northeastern University (8,157 and 7.68%).

The most popular majors in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH are General Business Administration & Management (8,128 and 7.65%), Registered Nursing (3,846 and 3.62%), and General Psychology (2,492 and 2.35%).

The median tuition costs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH are $41,242 for private four year colleges, and $1,030 and $26,630 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, the percentage of applicants admitted was 35.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 22.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 360,975 (42.1% men and 57.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 360,975 students enrolled in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, 42.1% men and 57.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 164,769 records, of which 58.7% were women and 41.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
4,280 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
2,198 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
2,123 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH was General Business Administration & Management with 4,280 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Boston University
11,580 degrees awarded
Harvard University
9,623 degrees awarded
Northeastern University
8,157 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Boston University with 11,580 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 44,136 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, which is 0.711 times less than the 62,100 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 51,488 degrees mean that there were 5.06 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 10,185 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($41,242) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($9,822) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,500) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Measure

In 2021, 0.968% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.04% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.66M), Bachelors Degree (1.58M), and Some college (1.24M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH was $487,600 in 2021, which is 1.99 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $461,500 to $487,600, a 5.66% increase. The homeownership rate in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is 61.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH have an average commute time of 31.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $99,039. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH was Nantucket County, MA with a value of $116,571, followed by Norfolk County, MA and Middlesex County, MA, with respective values of $112,089 and $111,790.

Housing

Property

$487,600

Median Property Value 2021

±$1,690

$1.17M

Median Property Taxes

±$7,196

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

61.6%

Homeownership

2021

61.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 61.6% of the housing units in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 61.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH was Nantucket County, MA with a value of $116,571, followed by Norfolk County, MA and Middlesex County, MA, with respective values of $112,089 and $111,790.

The following map shows all of the counties in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$99,039

Median Household Income

± $596

1.9M

Number of Households

± 10,602

In 2021, the median household income of the 1.9M households in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH grew to $99,039 from the previous year's value of $93,537.

The following chart displays the households in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is from Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

0.48

2021 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.48

2020 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.456

2021 Wage GINI in New Hampshire

0.457

2020 Wage GINI in New Hampshire

In 2021, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.48 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0427% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Massachusetts in comparison to the national average.

In the same year, the income inequality in New Hampshire was 0.456 and income inequality had a 0.19% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for New Hampshire was lower than than the national average of 0.478, meaning wages are distributed more evenly in New Hampshire in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (62.2%)
Worked At Home (13%)
Public Transit (10.7%)

In 2021, 62.2% of workers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (13%) and those who used public transit to get to work (10.7%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

31.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH have a longer commute time (31.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 3.34% of the workforce in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

8.99% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH (427k out of 4.75M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

97% of the population of Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH has health coverage, with 57.6% on employee plans, 15.8% on Medicaid, 10.7% on Medicare, 12.3% on non-group plans, and 0.625% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Massachusetts see 960 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.826% decrease from the previous year (968 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 930 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 145 patients per year.

Similarly, primary care physicians in New Hampshire see 1111 patients per year on average, which represents a 1% increase from the previous year (1100 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1295 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 288 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

960 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Massachusetts

1,111 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in New Hampshire

Primary care physicians in Massachusetts see an average of 960 patients per year. This represents a 0.826% decrease from the previous year (968 patients).

Primary care physicians in New Hampshire see an average of 1,111 patients per year. This represents a 1% increase from the previous year (1,100 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Massachusetts and New Hampshire in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.5% under 18 years, 23.4% between 18 and 34 years, 39.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

2.97%

Uninsured

57.6%

Employer Coverage

15.8%

Medicaid

10.7%

Medicare

12.3%

Non-Group

0.625%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH grew by 0.945% from 2.95% to 2.97%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.