Government Information Research Guide
Topics

Boston Neighborhoods

| Introduction |
| What are Tracts, Blocks, Neighborhoods? |
| How Do I Find What Census Tracts and Blocks Make Up the Boston Neighborhoods? | 
| What Census Volumes Do I Use to Find Census Tract and Block Statistics and Maps?|
| Does the Library Have Statistical Reports on Boston Neighborhoods? |
| Where Can I Find Information on  Boston Neighborhoods on the Internet? |

Introduction

Research on Boston's neighborhoods has always been difficult because the Bureau of the Census does not break down cities and towns by neighborhood boundaries. 

The Bureau uses census tracts and blocks to compile statistics on small areas within counties, cities, and towns. The Census Bureau began collecting block statistics in 1940 and tract statistics in 1950.  

This guide assembles maps, statistics, census volumes, and reports in paper and electronic format that specifically refer to Boston neighborhoods, so that researchers can quickly and efficiently acquire the information and statistics they need.

What are Tracts, Blocks, and Neighborhoods?

Tract
A small statistical subdivision of a county, city or town for the purpose of presenting data. Census tract boundaries normally follow visible features, but may follow governmental unit boundaries and other non-visible features.  Designed to be relatively homogeneous units with respect to population characteristics, economic status, and living conditions at the time of establishment, census tracts average about 4,000 inhabitants.

Block
A subdivision of a census tract (or, prior to 2000, a block numbering area), a block is the smallest geographic unit for which the Census Bureau tabulates statistics. Many blocks correspond to individual city blocks bounded by streets, but blocks - especially in rural areas - may include many square miles and may have some boundaries that are not streets.

Neighborhood
The concept of neighborhood includes both geographic (place-oriented) and social (people-oriented) components.  It can be used to refer to the small group of houses in the immediate vicinity of one's house or to a larger area with similar housing types and market values.  Neighborhood is also used to describe an area surrounding a local institution patronized by residents, such as a church, school, or social agency. It can also be defined by a political ward or precinct, or relatively stable ethnic, racial, or commercial areas.

How Do I Find What Census Tracts and Blocks Make Up the Boston Neighborhoods?

1980 Decennial Census, Neighborhood Statistics Program, Geographic Definition of Neighborhoods: Boston, Mass.
Bureau of the Census. 1983.  (UM/DOC REF HA730 B6 U55 1983)
Lists tract and block numbers by neighborhood code.  Use to identify census tracts and blocks in neighborhood areas in the 1980 Census of Population and Housing,  Block Statistics, Boston (PHC80-1-98), which is in microfiche.  Use to locate neighborhoods by tract/block numbers in earlier censuses.

1980 Decennial Census, Neighborhood Statistics Program, Geographic Definition of Neighborhoods: Boston, Mass.
Revised.  Bureau of the Census. 2007, 1983.  (UM/DOC REF HA730 B6 U55 1983/Rev.1)
This document is the same as the one above except that it does not include state, county, and metropolitan area codes.  Also use to identify census tracts in neighborhood areas in the 1980 Census of Population and Housing, Block Statistics, Boston (PHC80-1-98), which is in microfiche.  Use to locate neighborhoods by tract/block numbers in earlier censuses.

1990 Census Block Groups with Tract Outlines.
Northeastern University Center for Applied Social Research.  1994?  (UM/DOC REF  F73.6 A15 1994)
Maps.

What Census Volumes Do I Use to Find Boston Census Tract and Block Statistics and Maps?

1940 Housing Census. Volume 5, Block Statistics, part 16, Boston. 
(UM/DOC REF C 3.940-5:H 81/v.5/1-23)
Statistics and tract and block maps. 

1950 Census of Population, Volume 3, Census Tracts, part 6, Boston.
(UM/DOC REF C 3.950-7/5:v.3)
Statistics and tract maps. 

1950 Census of Housing, Volume 5, Block Statistics, part 21, Boston.
Statistics and tract and block maps. 
(UM/DOC REF C 3.950-8/5:v.5/pt.1-27)

1960 Census of Population and Housing, PHC(1)-18, Census Tracts, Boston.
(UM/DOC REF C 3.223/11:960/18)
Statistics and maps. 

1960 Census of Housing, HC(3)-180, City Blocks, Boston.
(UM/DOC REF C 3.224/5:960)
Statistics and maps. 

1970 Census of Population and Housing, PHC(1)-29), Census Tracts, Boston.
(UM/DOC REF C 3.223/11:970/29)
Statistics and maps. 

1970 Census of Housing, (HC(3)-108), Block Statistics, Boston.
(UM/DOC REF C 3.224/5:970/108)
Statistics and maps. 

1980 Census of Population and Housing, PHC80-2-98, Census Tracts, Boston.
(UM/DOC REF C 3.223/11:980/98)  (UM/DOC REF C 3.223/11:980/98/MAPS)
Statistics and maps. 

1980 Census of Population and Housing, PHC80-1-98, Block Statistics, Boston.
(UM/Microforms Storage C 3.224/5:PHC80-1-98)

1980 Census of Population and Housing, PHC80-1-98, Block Statistics, Maps, Boston.
(UM/DOC REF C 3.224/5:PHC80-1-98)

1990 Census of Population and Housing. Population and Housing Characteristics for Census Tracts and Block Numbering Areas.  Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH CMSA (part); Boston, MA PMSA.  Sections 1 and 2.  1990 CPH-3-95A.
(UM/DOC REF C 3.223/11:1990 CPH-3-95A/ Sec.1-2)

1990 Census of Population and Housing.  Population and Housing Characteristics for Census Tracts and Block Numbering Areas.  Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH CMAS (part); Boston MA PMSA.  Maps.  1990 CPH-3-95A.
(UM/DOC REF C 3.223/11:1990-CPH-3-9fA/MAPS)

2000 Massachusetts Census Block Maps.
(UM/Docs. Office C 3.223/11-2:)
See Suffolk County maps. 

2000 Massachusetts Census Tract Outline Maps.
(UM/Docs. Office C 3.223/11-3:)
See Suffolk County maps.

2000 Massachusetts Census P.L. 94-171 Voting District/State Legislative Outline Maps.
(UM/Docs. Office C 3.223/11-4:)
See Suffolk County maps.

Does the Library Have Statistical Reports on Boston Neighborhoods?

Boston Neighborhood Health Status Report.  16v.
Boston Department of Health and Hospitals.  1994.  (UM/Du Bois RA407.4 M45 B67 1994)
Includes census maps, population, social, economic, and housing data in addition to health data.

Boston Neighborhoods: 1990 Census of Population and Housing; Summary Tape File 3A.  2v.
Boston Redevelopment Authority.  1993.  (UM/Du Bois HA730 B7 B6 1994)
Population, social, economic, and housing statistics.

Boston Population and Housing by Neighborhood Areas, 1980: Demographic Information from the U.S. Bureau of the Census.
Boston Redevelopment Authority.  1983.  (UM/DOC REF HB3527 B7 B673 1983)
Population, social, economic, and housing statistics.

Change and Diversity in Boston's Planning Districts: 1980 vs. 1990
Boston Redevelopment Authority.  1994.  (UM/Gov. Docs. Ref. HT168 B6 G64 1994)
Based on whole census tracts, 1980 and 1990 census population and housing tables, and U.S. summary tape file 3 with social and economic statistics.

Diversity and Change in Boston Neighborhoods: a Comparison of Demographic, Social, and Economic Characteristics of Population and Housing, 1970-1990
Boston Redevelopment Authority.  1985.  (UM/Gov. Docs. Ref. HB3527 B7 O27 1985)

Facts About Boston Neighborhoods
Boston Redevelopment Authority.  1995.  (UM/DOC REF HA730 B7 G64 1995)
Comprehensive guide to population, income, housing, and job statistics from the census.

Where Can I Find Information on Boston Neighborhoods on the Internet?

American Factfinder  (Bureau of the Census)
Primary database for census 2000 population, economic, social, and housing statistics.  Also includes 1990 data.  Must use census tracts and blocks to define neighborhood boundaries. Includes tract maps.

Boston Redevelopment Authority
Reports and statistics on Boston neighborhoods.  Includes reports from census 2000 data. Some reports available electronically, others available only in paper.

Boston Statistics (Government Documents, Boston Public Library)
Population statistics by neighborhood from 1790. Statistics by race for Boston from 1790.