Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is the capital and largest city in Massachusetts, located in the northeastern United States. With a population of 675,647 as of 2020, Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in the United States. Founded in 1630 by Puritan colonists, Boston played a key role in the American Revolution and the founding of the United States.

Some key facts about Boston:

Population (2020 census): 675,647 (24th largest city in US) [1]
County: Suffolk County [2]
Area: 89.6 square miles
Density: 7,702 people per square mile
Nickname: The Hub, Beantown
Time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC-5)
Area codes: 617, 857
Public school districts: Boston Public Schools [3]

History

Boston was founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers from England under Governor John Winthrop. It was named after Boston, England, the origin of many of the original settlers. Early settlers established the Shawmut Peninsula due to its natural harbor and access to the Atlantic Ocean.

By the mid-1700s, Boston had grown into one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the Thirteen Colonies. As dissatisfaction with British rule grew, Boston became a hotbed of revolutionary activity in the years leading up to the American Revolution. Events like the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party took place in the city, leading up to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1775.

During the Revolution, Boston served as the headquarters for the Continental Army under General George Washington. After independence, Boston continued to be an important center of politics, commerce, and culture in the early United States.

In the 19th century, Boston grew rapidly into a global metropolitan area due to waves of immigration, annexation of surrounding towns, and new industry. It was an important center for abolitionism prior to the Civil War. After the war, Boston continued to develop into a diverse city supporting major educational institutions, arts and culture, finance, and high technology.

Today, Boston is considered one of the most historic cities in the United States. Many colonial-era landmarks still stand today, such as Faneuil Hall and the Old State House. The Freedom Trail connects 16 historic sites central to the American Revolution and Boston’s founding.

For more on the history of Boston, visit the Boston Public Library Special Collections.

Geography and Climate

Boston is located in eastern Massachusetts, along the Atlantic Ocean. It covers 89.6 square miles of land, making it one of the smaller major cities in the U.S. by land area. However, it has a relatively high population density of over 7,700 people per square mile.

Boston has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The Charles River separates Boston from Cambridge and Watertown. Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay provide access to the Atlantic Ocean. Boston’s skyline and harbor are recognized around the world.

Some key geographical facts about Boston:

Land area: 89.6 square miles
Borders: Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, Quincy, Winthrop, Revere
Highest elevation: Bellevue Hill (330 feet)
Average January high temp: 36°F
Average July high temp: 81°F
Annual precipitation: 43.77 inches (rain and melted snow/ice)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Boston had a population of 675,647. It is ethnically diverse, with a large Irish American population along with other major groups such as Italian Americans, African Americans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Haitians, Chinese Americans, and more. Here is a brief demographic profile of Boston:

White: 44.6%
Black or African American: 19.1%
Asian: 9.7%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 20.4%
Median household income (2018): $71,115
Persons below poverty line: 21.3%

The Greater Boston metropolitan area, which includes the city along with surrounding suburbs, has a population of about 4.9 million as of 2020. This makes it the 10th largest metro area in the U.S.

Economy

Boston has a diverse, thriving economy with strengths in finance, education, biotechnology, and information technology. Here are some key facts about Boston’s economy:

Largest industries by employment:
- Professional/business services: 19.3%
- Education and health services: 15.7%
- Trade/transportation/utilities: 11.2%
Median household income: $71,115
Major companies headquartered in Boston: Liberty Mutual, Gillette, Staples, Wayfair, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Leading employers: Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston University, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, State Street Corporation

The finance industry has a major presence in Boston, including large mutual fund companies like Fidelity Investments and State Street Corporation. Boston is also a top area for venture capital investment, especially in the biotech sector. Major educational institutions such as Harvard University, MIT, Boston University, and Tufts also boost the economy.

For more on business and the economy in Boston, visit the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

Government

Boston has a mayor-council form of government. The mayor serves as the chief executive while the city council serves as the legislative body. Some key facts about Boston’s government:

Current Mayor: Michelle Wu (since 2021) [4]
Address: Boston City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
Phone: 617-635-4000
City Council: 13 members representing individual districts
City Council website: City Council website

Boston is the county seat of Suffolk County. However, Suffolk County has limited functions today after much of the government was absorbed by the city over the decades.

Transportation

Boston has an extensive transportation system that includes both public and private options. Key transportation services and infrastructure include:

MBTA – Also known as the T, this is the public transportation system serving Boston and surrounding cities and towns. Includes subways, buses, ferries, and commuter rail.
MBTA website
Logan International Airport – Boston’s major international airport. Over 33 million passengers passed through Logan in 2021.
Logan Airport website
Amtrak – Inter-city passenger rail services connecting Boston to destinations across the Northeast and beyond.
Amtrak Boston station info
Major highways – Key highways and interstates include I-90 (Mass Pike), I-93, I-95, Route 2, Route 3, and Route 128/I-95.

The Boston area is very walkable and bikeable compared to many U.S. cities. It has an extensive network of pedestrian paths and bike lanes.

Education

Boston is one of the top educational and academic centers in the world. It is home to dozens of universities, colleges, and other institutions of higher education. Here are some of the top schools located in Boston:

Harvard University – Considered one of the most prestigious universities globally. Located in Cambridge across the Charles River.
Harvard website
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – World-renowned technology and research university located in Cambridge.
MIT website
Boston University – Major private research university located along the Charles River.
Boston University website
Northeastern University – Private research university located in the Fenway area.
Northeastern University website
Tufts University – leading private research university located in Medford/Somerville.
Tufts University website

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) system serves about 49,000 students in over 125 schools in the city of Boston. BPS is the largest school district in Massachusetts.

Healthcare

Boston is a leader in medical research and healthcare delivery. The Longwood Medical and Academic Area is home to a dense cluster of medical facilities and institutions, anchored by Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Other major hospitals and research centers include Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Boston Medical Center.

The Boston area receives over $2.5 billion annually in funding from the National Institutes of Health for biomedical research. Overall, the “Medicine/Medical Research” cluster directly employs over 140,000 people in Greater Boston.

Museums and Cultural Attractions

As an old, cultured city, Boston boasts a variety of world-class museums and cultural sites and events. Some of the top attractions include:

Museum of Fine Arts – One of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world with over 450,000 works.
MFA website
New England Aquarium – Major public aquarium with thousands of aquatic animals and exhibits.
New England Aquarium website
Fenway Park – Historic baseball stadium opened in 1912 and home of the Boston Red Sox.
Fenway Park website
Freedom Trail – Walking path connecting 16 historic sites central to Boston and Revolutionary history.
Freedom Trail website
Boston Symphony Orchestra – One of the “Big Five” American orchestras, performing at Symphony Hall.
Boston Symphony Orchestra website

The Boston Public Library is also a valuable cultural asset, with over 24 million items. It is the 3rd largest public library system in the U.S.

Neighborhoods

Boston is composed of distinct neighborhoods, many with their own character, history, and attractions. Some of Boston’s major neighborhoods include:

Back Bay – Upscale neighborhood known for shopping, restaurants, and Victorian architecture.
Beacon Hill – Historic neighborhood with Federal-style brick row houses and local shops.
North End – Boston’s Little Italy, with Italian restaurants andhistorical sites like the Old North Church.
South End – Trendy, artistic neighborhood with diverse architecture and dining.
Fenway – Lively area home to Fenway Park and numerous museums and attractions.

Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Despite being a dense city, Boston has numerous public green spaces for recreation and relaxation. Some notable parks and outdoor areas include:

Boston Common – Oldest city park in the U.S., 50 acres dating back to 1634.
Boston Public Garden – 24 acre botanical park adjacent to Boston Common.
Esplanade – Three mile long park along the Charles River.
Arnold Arboretum – 265 acre botanical garden operated by Harvard University.
Franklin Park – Massive 527 acre park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Sports

Boston is a major sports city and home to several professional teams across the major leagues. The local teams include:

Boston Red Sox – Baseball team in MLB and 9-time World Series champions. Play at Fenway Park.
Red Sox website
New England Patriots – Football team in NFL and 6-time Super Bowl champions. Play in nearby Foxborough, MA.
Patriots website
Boston Celtics – Basketball team in NBA with 17 championships. Play at TD Garden.
Celtics website
Boston Bruins – Hockey team in NHL and 6-time Stanley Cup winners. Also play at TD Garden.
Bruins website

The Boston Marathon is also a major annual event dating back to 1897. It attracts over 30,000 runners and over 1 million spectators along its 26.2 mile course.

Landmarks

Boston is full of historic sites and monuments important to the history of the United States. Here are some of the most notable landmarks and their locations:

Faneuil Hall – Historic marketplace located along Freedom Trail.
1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, MA 02109

GPS: 42.3600° N, 71.0585° W
Old North Church – Colonial church famous for two lanterns hung in its steeple to signal the British invasion during the American Revolution.
193 Salem Street, Boston, MA 02113

GPS: 42.3647° N, 71.0578° W
Old State House – Oldest surviving public building in Boston, built in 1713. Site of the Boston Massacre.
- Old State House – Oldest surviving public building in Boston, built in 1713. Site of the Boston Massacre.
  206 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02109
  GPS: 42.3588° N, 71.0576° W
- Bunker Hill Monument – 221 foot granite obelisk commemorating the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.
  Charlestown, MA
  GPS: 42.3740° N, 71.0756° W
- USS Constitution – Oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, launched in 1797.
  Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA
  GPS: 42.3746° N, 71.0590° W
Here is an embedded Google Map showing some of these landmarks in Boston:

Local Resources

Here are some additional local resources and websites for Boston residents or visitors:
- City of Boston Website – Official government site with information on departments, services, news and events. www.boston.gov
- Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau – Tourism website with info on attractions, events, deals, and planning a visit. www.bostonusa.com
- The Boston Calendar – Upcoming events calendar for Boston. www.thebostoncalendar.com
- Boston Public Library – Resources, programs, and 24 million items available for loan. www.bpl.org
- MBTA Trip Planner – Plan your public transit trip around Boston. MBTA Trip Planner
I hope this provides a comprehensive overview of Boston, Massachusetts with helpful details and local resources! Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.