Boston Redevelopment Authority

 
  

Economy and Jobs Publications

As of April 15, 2010 Boston's total population is 617,594.
Citywide
2013 Economy Report
Alvaro Lima, Mark Melnik, John Avault, Gregory Perkins
1/25/2013
This report discusses current demographic and economic trends in the city of Boston. In terms of demographics, this report shows that over the last decade Boston’s population has grown, became more racially and ethnically diverse, increased its share of young adults, and became more educated. As for the economy, Boston appears to have successfully weathered the storm of the most recent recession. The city has experienced strong job growth over the last year, decreased unemployment, and recent building permit data indicates a very active local real estate and construction market. Lastly, industry employment projections for the region suggest that Boston’s economy is poised to continue growing in the coming years.
 
The Largest Employers in the City of Boston
Alvaro Lima, Mark Melnik, Gregory W. Perkins, Nanette Dyer Blake, Nicoya Borella
4/1/2011
The Largest Employers in the City of Boston is a report produced through the results of an analysis of the largest private sector companies with 500 or more employees in Boston.
 
Encore Careers: One Solution to the Coming Labor Shortage
Mark Melnik and Barry Bluestone
2/1/2011
Mark Melnik, deputy director of research, co-authors article in the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Communities & Banking Spring 2011 issue. Demographic changes and economic growth will result in a changing labor picture that includes encore careers -- jobs filled with workers aged 55 and up. How will this impact the future labor force and labor trends?
 
The Boston Economy in 2010: Neighborhood Network News
Mark Melnik
2/1/2011
Click here to view Mark Melnik, Deputy Director of Research, in an interview with Neighborhood Network News about the newly released report "Boston's Economy in 2010."
 
Triple Bottom Line Calculator - Urban Sustainability Director's Network
Mark Melnik
2/1/2011
The BRA Research Division developed a model of a Triple Bottom Line (TBL) Calculator for assessing the economic, environmental, and social impact of strategic capital investments in municipalities for the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) led by the Energy and Environmental Services Department at the City of Boston.
 
The Boston Economy in 2010
John Avault, Gregory Perkins, Mark Melnik, Nanette Dyer Blake & Alvaro Lima, Director
1/1/2011
This report profiles Boston's current economic state and analyzes past recessions with an eye toward the prospects for recovery.
 
Boston Continues to Give More Than It Gets From The Rest of Massachusetts
John Avault, Mark Melnik, Sarah Rustan, Intern
4/20/2010
As a follow-up to the publication released in 2006, this short report demonstrates that although Boston has increased its share of population, employment, Gross State Product, and state tax revenues, the city's share of state aid has further declined.
 
Economic and Sustainability Benefits of Boston's ARRA Investments
Alvaro Lima, Mark Melnik, Gregory Perkins & Dan Hodge, Jon Lee, Stephane Larocque of HDR Decision Economics
3/1/2010
This study estimates the near-term economic impacts and longer-term sustainability benefits of Boston’s ARRA investments.In short, this study projects significant economic impact in such things as job creation, Gross Regional Product, and tax generation, as well as longer-term sustainability benefits such as energy cost saving and water preservation. In addition, the study shows that when considering financial and sustainability efforts together, local benefits are expected to exceed costs by at least a four-to-one ratio, demonstrating a strong return on investment to the City of Boston.
 
Boston Economy 2008, Holding Strong
John Avault, Dominic Modicamore, Gregory Perkins, Eswaran Selvarajah, Jim Vrabel
9/1/2008
This report for 2008 presents the major economic, real estate market, and demographic trends for the city and region.
 
Insight - Boston's Job Growth - the Key to the Massachusetts Economy
Dominic Modicamore,
John Avault,
Jim Vrabel,
Dan Abate, Intern
12/31/2007
Boston’s job growth has been responsible for leading the economic recovery of the Massachusetts economy since the end of the national recession in the early 2000s. Boston continues to be the economic hub of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the center for commerce in New England – attracting workers from all over the world for jobs in finance, professional services, education and health care.
 
The New Boston Chartbook
Dan Abate, John Avault
7/31/2007
Boston's economy presented in a series of graphs showing Boston's share of Massachusetts' jobs, goods and services, and tax revenues.
 
The Boston Economy 2007 - Steady Growth
Gregory Perkins,
Dominic Modicamore,
Jim Vrabel
5/1/2007
This report for 2007 presents the major economic, real estate market, and demographic trends for the city and region. Much of the data in this report extends through year-end 2006 and into the first quarter of 2007.
 
Boston Gives More Than It Gets from the Rest of Massachusetts
John Avault, Nanette Dyer Blake, Martina Kukin, Yolanda Perez, Jim Vrabel
12/1/2006
With 9.3% of the state’s population and just 0.6% of its land area, Boston generates 15.6% of state jobs, 19.3% of state tax revenue, and 23.5% of Gross State Product. But despite Boston’s role as the economic and fiscal engine of Massachusetts, the city receives only a small and shrunken sliver of state aid and revenue sharing, leaving it increasingly dependent on the property tax.
 
Boston's Neighborhood Business Patterns
BRA
5/1/2006
Boston's Neighborhood Business Patterns examines patterns in private sector employment by neighborhood. It identifies Boston's leading industries, employers and the geographical location of businesses and jobs in the city. The intention of this report is to provide an overview of business concentration patterns at both the city and neighborhood levels and to provide detailed economic data that would further facilitate the implementation of informed policy making.
 
THE BOSTON ECONOMY 2005 - Moving Forward
Paul Leonard, Dominic Modicamore, Gregory W. Perkins, Jim Vrabel
3/1/2006
Boston’s economy is once more showing signs of steady growth and of recovery from a regional economic recession after four years of a slow economy.
 
Boston Among 35 American Cities
Yolanda Perez
9/1/2004
Report on employment growth and specialization in 35 of the largest American cities including Boston with specific reference to location, growth and concentration of jobs in cities.
 
The Boston Economy 2004 - Turning the Corner
Paul Leonard, Dominic Modicamore, Gregory W. Perkins
9/1/2004
Report for year 2004 presents major economic and demographic trends for the past ten years in a citywide and regional context.
 
Boston Chartbook: A Primer of Boston's Economy
John Avault, Paul Leonard, Geoff Lewis
5/5/2004
Boston's economy presented in a series of graphs showing Boston's share of Massachusetts' jobs, goods and services, and tax revenues.
 
Economic and Fiscal Impact of the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston
Chris Giuliani, Dominic Modicamore
4/7/2004
An assessment of the economic and fiscal impacts of the first ever Democratic National Convention in Boston using the REMI model (an econometric input-output model).
 
The Boston Economy - 2003
Dominic Modicamore, Jim Vrabel, Luis Rosero
10/1/2003
A report on major economic, demographic and market indicators for Boston
 
Leadership Through Innovation: The History of Boston's Economy: 1970-2000
1/1/2003
Innovation and public-private partnerships have played central roles in the development of Boston's modern economy. This report discusses the evolution of the city's economy with detailed data for 1970-2000.
 
Boston's Influence Found Throughout the Region
Aracelis Mercado
7/1/2002
Boston is the economic, cultural, medical, educational and governmental capital of New England.
 
Boston's Strong Economy 2002--Resisting the Recession
Gregory Perkins, Dominic Modicamore, Jim Vrabel, Luis Rosero
6/1/2002
A comprehensive view of Boston's economy and its continued strength in the face of a national recession. Uses a variety of city, state, federal and private data sources.
 
Federal R&D Funding in Boston
Herbert Butler,
Dominic Modicamore,
Jim Vrabel
5/1/2002
The City’s Intellectual Capital Yields Large Economic Benefits. This report details the level and type of research and development funding occurring in Boston and its impacts upon the city's economy.
 
Intellectual Capital Drives Boston’s Record as a Top Location for Business
Mary Ellen Gambon, Aracelis Mercado, Jim Vrabel
1/1/2002
Discusses Boston's consistently high rankings in Fortune Magazine as a place to live and do business. This success comes from the innovation and intellectual capital driving the city's major industries.
 
The Largest Private Employers: 2001
Dominic Modicamore,
Gregory Perkins,
Mark Renehan,
Cathy Frye
8/1/2001
Lists the largest private employers in Boston in 2001.
 
Boston’s Unemployment is Lowest Ever Measured
BRA
3/1/2001
Boston’s Unemployment is Lowest Ever Measured--Record unemployment rate leads to full employment economy
 
Tall Ships Visit Boston - July 2000
Gregory Perkins
6/1/2000
Documents the economic benefits of the tall ship's visit to Boston in July, 2000.
 
Higher Education in Boston: Intellectual Capital as a Catalyst for Economic Growth
Linda Kowalcky,
Zachary Zhang,
Jim Vrabel,
John Avault
3/1/2000
Highlights the important role of Boston's $4 billion higher education economy to both the city and the economy.
 
History of Boston's Economy: Growth and Transition 1970-1998
Geoff Lewis,
John Avault,
Jim Vrabel
11/1/1999
Over the past thirty years, Boston has become a leader in financial services, health care, and education.
 
Industrial and Operations Jobs in Boston
BRA
2/1/1999
Describes the changes in Boston's manufacturing industry and actions to maintain industrial and operations jobs.
 
Boston's Growth Economy Looks to the Future
BRA
11/1/1998
Projects Boston's economic growth to the year 2006.
 
Fortune Once Again Names Boston One of Top Ten Cities for Business
BRA
12/1/1997
Fortune magazine recently named Boston the third best city in North America for business, trailing only New York and Denver/Boulder, Colorado. The magazine cited Boston's strong position in the mutual fund market and the vibrant student population as two of the reasons that "keep this 400-year-old hub young."
 
The Largest Employers in the City of Boston 1996-1997
Thomas F. Welch,
Gregory Perkins
1/1/1997
Lists the 44 private sector employers with over 1,000 employees, where employees live and their education.
 
Neighborhoods and Sub-Neighborhoods
Click here to view map
Boston's Neighborhood Business Patterns
BRA
5/1/2006
Boston's Neighborhood Business Patterns examines patterns in private sector employment by neighborhood. It identifies Boston's leading industries, employers and the geographical location of businesses and jobs in the city. The intention of this report is to provide an overview of business concentration patterns at both the city and neighborhood levels and to provide detailed economic data that would further facilitate the implementation of informed policy
 

These publications are in Portable Document Format (.pdf) and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print them.



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