BPDA Releases South Boston Waterfront Neighborhood Profile

The Research Division of the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) released a neighborhood profile of the South Boston Waterfront in July 2017 based largely on 2015 and 2016 demographic and economic development statistics. The BPDA aligns Fort Point with the South Boston Waterfront. 

How far have we come in the 21st century?

The population grew by 104% and occupied housing units grew by 101% from 2000 to 2015.

Payroll jobs in the South Boston Waterfront grew by 15% from 2011 to 2014.

From 2000 to 2015, the share of South Boston Waterfront female residents ages 16 and older, and participating in the labor force, grew from 69% to 79%.

South Boston Waterfront is still predominantly White, but after 2000 it became somewhat more diverse: the percentage of Asian residents increased from 5% to 10%.

The foreign born share of the population grew from 12% in 2000 to 18% in 2015.

The percentage of South Boston Waterfront residents aged 25 and over and with a Bachelor’s degree rose from 44% to 79% between 2000 and 2015.

What is in our future?

South Boston Waterfront’s growth is poised to continue, with 4,137 new units of housing approved between 2010 and 2016.*4   Out of the 4,137 new units, 250 are affordable units. 

Who are we?

South Boston Waterfront had 2,862 residents in 2015, less than 1% of Boston’s population*1

South Boston Waterfront grew by 104% from 2000 to 2015, much faster than the city’s growth of 10% over the same time period.

Age Distribution
Only 4% of South Boston Waterfront residents are children, compared to 16% in Boston as a whole.
The 25-34 age group represents 39% of South Boston’s Waterfront population, compared to 23% for Boston as a whole. 
The 35-64 age group represents 38% of  South Boston’s Waterfront population, compared to 34% for Boston as a whole.

Diversity
About a fifth of South Boston Waterfront’s population is foreign born, compared to the 27% share of Boston.
In 2015, the share of non-Hispanic White residents was 84%, much higher than the city share of 46%.

Jobs
South Boston Waterfront had 27,577 jobs in 2014, most of which were in the Business and Financial sectors*2
South Boston Waterfront has almost 15 payroll jobs per resident worker, and 4.9% of the city’s payroll jobs.

Labor Force
South Boston Waterfront’s labor force had 2,307 people in 2015, less than 1% of the city’s resident labor force.
77% of South Boston Waterfront residents ages 16 and older participated in the labor force, a higher rate than the 68% for Boston.
The top occupations for South Boston Waterfront residents in 2015: Management, Business and Financial Services, and Administrative Support.

Education
In 2015, only 1% of South Boston Waterfront residents were enrolled in college or university, a much lower enrollment rate than the city (17%).
About 79% of South Boston Waterfront residents ages 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, higher than Boston’s 45%.

Income
The median household income in South Boston Waterfront in 2015 was $111,518, doubling the Boston median of $55,777.

Download the profile. Contact BPDA's Research Division with any questions.

Note: Demographic data are for the Census-tract approximations of the South Boston Waterfront. Source: (1) U.S. Census Bureau, 1950-2010 Decennial Census and 2011-2015 American Community Survey, (2) OnTheMap Application and LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics, 2014, (3) City of Boston assessing data FY 2016, (4) Boston Planning and Development Agency Board Memos.