Population 60,738 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Roxbury
Household size in Roxbury
| Period | Roxbury | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.43 | 2.54 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.41 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.49 | 2.60 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.36 | 2.55 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Roxbury are small: just 2.36 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.43, as it has nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Roxbury
| Period | Roxbury | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.9 | 38.9 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.3 | 39.7 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.9 | 40.4 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.2 | 40.8 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.3 | +1.9 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Roxbury is young: half of its residents are under 34.2, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 29.9, as it has nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Roxbury
| Period | Roxbury | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.7% | 10.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.8% | 10.2% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 18.9% | 9.6% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.5% | 9.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −8.2 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Roxbury: 16.5% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 8.2 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Roxbury
Renters in Roxbury
| Period | Roxbury | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 76.7% | 36.8% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 80.0% | 38.5% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 78.1% | 38.3% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 74.9% | 38.4% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Roxbury rent: 74.9% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 34.2% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 1.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Roxbury
| Period | Roxbury | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 8.1% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.5% | 7.4% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.7% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 6.7% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.0 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Roxbury as nationally: 9.5%, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Boston area overall (6.7%). Vacancy has fallen 4.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Roxbury
| Period | Roxbury | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1948 | 1958 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1949 | 1959 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1950 | 1961 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1959 | 1964 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Roxbury is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1959, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1948 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the south has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Roxbury
| Period | Roxbury | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $853 | $1,171 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $934 | $1,251 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,115 | $1,537 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,507 | $2,051 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$653 | +$881 | +$775 | +$606 |
The median renter in Roxbury pays $1,507 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in the wider Boston area ($2,051). Rent has climbed $653 a month since 2006–10, up 77%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 35.4% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Roxbury
Bachelor's degrees in Roxbury
| Period | Roxbury | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.0% | 42.2% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.6% | 44.1% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.1% | 48.2% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 33.3% | 51.9% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +9.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Roxbury (33.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in the Boston area as a whole (51.9%). The share with a degree has risen 7.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Roxbury
| Period | Roxbury | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.0% | 89.8% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.7% | 90.6% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.4% | 91.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 81.5% | 91.8% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +2.1 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in five adults in Roxbury never finished high school, well above the national share: only 81.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 3.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Roxbury
| Period | Roxbury | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.3% | 7.0% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 15.7% | 8.0% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.8% | 4.6% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.2 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Roxbury runs well above the national rate: 8.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 7.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Roxbury compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roxbury | 2.36 | 34.2 | 16.5% | 74.9% | 9.5% | 1959 | $1,507 | 33.3% | 81.5% | 8.2% |
| Nubian Square | 2.21 | 36.7 | 17.3% | 78.3% | 8.2% | 1968 | $1,427 | 28.8% | 79.1% | 11.2% |
| Mount Bowdoin | 3.19 | 30.8 | 32.7% | 80.3% | 6.2% | 1952 | $1,418 | 21.4% | 77.0% | 11.5% |
| Fenway-Kenmore | 1.72 | 25.4 | 4.7% | 89.2% | 18.9% | 1959 | $2,266 | 76.9% | 94.7% | 9.1% |
| South End | 1.89 | 37.8 | 6.3% | 64.7% | 10.3% | 1959 | $2,363 | 68.9% | 90.9% | 6.1% |
| North Dorchester | 2.27 | 34.4 | 12.8% | 64.5% | 7.7% | 1957 | $2,052 | 48.4% | 86.3% | 6.6% |
| Brookline Village | 2.09 | 37.2 | 5.7% | 54.3% | 4.0% | 1950 | $2,688 | 82.6% | 98.3% | 2.9% |
| Brookline Village Commercial District | 2.39 | 35.4 | 4.4% | 54.4% | 3.2% | 1945 | $2,858 | 85.6% | 97.4% | 2.9% |
| Back Bay | 1.57 | 37.8 | 3.4% | 67.6% | 19.3% | 1950 | $2,565 | 84.2% | 96.6% | 4.1% |
| Forest Hills | 2.26 | 40.7 | 4.4% | 57.6% | 5.0% | 1939 | $2,258 | 65.8% | 95.0% | 1.3% |
| Coolidge Corner | 1.94 | 37.0 | 3.0% | 68.5% | 7.6% | 1954 | $2,853 | 87.2% | 97.2% | 3.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Rogers Park, Chicago, IL · Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL · Little Havana, Miami, FL · Long Island City, Queens, NY · McLane, Fresno, CA · Allston-Brighton, Brighton, MA · Midtown, Manhattan, NY · Mira Mesa, San Diego, CA · Morris Heights, Bronx, NY · Northeast, Virginia Beach, VA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Roxbury. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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