Boston, MA Demographics

A map of Boston's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	293,690	301,464	44.1%	44.6%
Black	128,487	129,264	19.3%	19.1%
Hispanic	128,456	126,113	19.3%	18.7%
Asian	68,354	75,588	10.3%	11.2%
Multiracial	39,555	32,721	5.9%	4.8%
Native American/Other	7,900	10,497	1.2%	1.6%

Boston, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 666,442, a slight decrease from the 675,647 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 44.1% White, 19.3% Black, 19.3% Hispanic, 10.3% Asian, 5.9% Multiracial, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Boston, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Boston is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Massachusetts overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Boston, that probability was 71.4% in 2020 and 71.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Boston is ranked the most populous place in Massachusetts, out of 248 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Boston was ranked the 1st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Boston's White Population

293,690 residents of Boston, or 44.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Boston is significantly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Boston ranks 238th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Boston's White population has declined by an estimated 2.6%. White residents' share of Boston's population has decreased from 44.6% to 44.1%.

Boston is more White than neighboring Chelsea (17.7% White), and Everett (34.4% White). Boston is less White than neighboring Winthrop Town (72.8% White), Quincy (53.7% White), and Revere (46.6% White).

Boston's Black Population

128,487 residents of Boston, or 19.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Boston is considerably higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Boston ranks 4th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Boston's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Boston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 19.3%.

Boston is more Black than neighboring Chelsea (7.1% Black), Winthrop Town (3.2% Black), Quincy (6% Black), Everett (9.4% Black), and Revere (4.4% Black).

Boston's Asian Population

68,354 residents of Boston, or 10.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Boston is slightly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Boston ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Boston's Asian population has declined by an estimated 9.6%. Asian residents' share of Boston's population has decreased from 11.2% to 10.3%.

Boston is more Asian than neighboring Chelsea (2.1% Asian), Winthrop Town (1.4% Asian), Everett (8.2% Asian), and Revere (4.2% Asian). Boston is less Asian than neighboring Quincy (29.1% Asian).

Boston's Hispanic Population

128,456 residents of Boston, or 19.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Boston is higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Boston ranks 21st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Boston's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 1.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Boston's population has increased from 18.7% to 19.3%.

Boston is more Hispanic than neighboring Winthrop Town (18.1% Hispanic), and Quincy (6.5% Hispanic). Boston is less Hispanic than neighboring Chelsea (67.3% Hispanic), Everett (32.5% Hispanic), and Revere (39.3% Hispanic).

Boston's Native American/Other Population

7,900 residents of Boston, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Boston is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Boston ranks 54th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Boston's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 24.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Boston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Boston is more Native American/Other than neighboring Chelsea (1% Native American/Other). Boston is less Native American/Other than neighboring Winthrop Town (1.8% Native American/Other), Everett (4.7% Native American/Other), and Revere (1.8% Native American/Other).

Boston's Multiracial Population

39,555 residents of Boston, or 5.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Boston is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Boston ranks 75th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Boston's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 20.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Boston's population has increased from 4.8% to 5.9%.

Boston is more Multiracial than neighboring Chelsea (4.9% Multiracial), Winthrop Town (2.8% Multiracial), Quincy (3.4% Multiracial), and Revere (3.8% Multiracial). Boston is less Multiracial than neighboring Everett (10.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.