Immigrant demographics
Data and research about Boston’s diverse immigrant populations.
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IMMIGRANT ADVANCEMENT -
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BOSTON, MA 02201-2030
Overview
OverviewBoston has more than 690,000 residents. In the City, 29% of our population is foreign-born and many are the children of immigrants. Of the entire population, 15% of residents have limited English proficiency, and 35% speak a language other than English at home. The top three spoken languages are Spanish, Mandarin-Chinese, and Haitian.
Other common countries of origin include Jamaica, India, and Cabo Verde.
In the City, 28% of foreign-born immigrants in Boston are Hispanic/Latino, 27% are Black/African American, and 26% are Asian/Pacific Islander.
Source: 2019 American Community Survey (PUMS), BPDA Research Division Analysis
In service and blue collar jobs, immigrant workers double that of native-born residents. Blue collar occupations include natural resources, construction, repair, and production.
Immigrants struggle to integrate into the labor market because they lack a general understanding of the market. They have limited access to employment and have difficulties transferring skills for certification/re-certification.
Source: 2019 American Community Survey (PUMS), BPDA Research Division Analysis
In this map, the font size is proportional to the foreign-born population within each neighborhood. Nearly half of East Boston residents are foreign-born. Over one third of Downtown, Allston, Mattapan, and Dorchester residents are foreign-born.
Source: 2019 American Community Survey (PUMS), BPDA Research Division Analysis
Boston demographics
Boston demographicsEconomic Impacts
Immigrants make great economic contributions to our City. Boston’s economic success wouldn’t be the same without immigrants as business owners, members of the workforce, and consumers.