Shifting Immigration Demographics in the Greater Boston Area

On February 14, 2024, the Commonwealth Beacon released an article outlining the change in demographics in immigration to the Greater Boston area over the last 30 years as reported by Boston Indicators, the research department of the Boston Foundation. According to the report described, in 1990 the top ten countries of origin for immigrants in the area were primarily European countries with Canada representing the largest number. In 2021, there were no European countries in the top ten countries of origin, and China represented the largest number.

The Boston Indicator report also found that immigrants made up 21 percent of Massachusetts’ population, and nearly a quarter of the total labor force in the state.  Further, “… immigrants contribute about 21 percent of the regional GDP and they pay $17 billion in local, state, and federal taxes.” The report also found that the majority of immigrants were in higher-paying positions such as scientists or software developers, and specified that “The report defined a low-wage worker as earning less than $49,000 a year; only 39 percent of the total immigrant population fell into that category.”  

The report also found that an increasing number of these immigrants are moving away from the city to areas like Revere, Marlborough, East Bridgewater, and Brockton, reflecting the impact of increased housing costs in the Boston area.