Boston

Boston is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It is a cultural and financial center of New England, a region in the Northeastern United States. With an area of 48.4 sq mi (125 km²) and a population of 675,647 as of the 2020 census, Boston is the third-most populous city in the Northeastern United States after New York City and Philadelphia.

Founded in 1630 by English Puritan settlers on Shawmut Peninsula, Boston played a key role during the American Revolution and Revolutionary War. Important events include the Boston Massacre in 1770, the Boston Tea Party in 1773, Paul Revere's midnight ride in 1775, the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, and the Siege of Boston from 1775 to 1776.

Today, Boston is a leader in higher education, research, and innovation. It is home to many universities and research centers, making it a global hub for biotechnology and scientific discovery. The city is also known for its strong economy in finance, technology, and business, and it ranks high in philanthropy and sustainability.

Etymology

Isaac Johnson named the new settlement "Boston" after his hometown in England. He did this just before he passed away in 1630. The name comes from an old English town called St. Botolph's town, which was later shortened to Boston. Before this, the area was called "Shawmut" by an early settler and "Tremontaine" by others who came later.

History

Main article: History of Boston

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Boston.

Indigenous era

Before European settlers arrived, the Massachusett people lived around what is now Boston. They built small villages where Boston is today. In 1630, settlers led by John Winthrop arrived and found the land nearly empty because many Native people had died from diseases brought by earlier visitors. Old remains show that Native people built fishing traps as far back as 7,000 years ago.

European settlement

The first European to settle in what would become Boston was William Blaxton, a teacher from University of Cambridge. In 1630, Puritan settlers led by Isaac Johnson joined him. The Puritans started the city and built America's first public school, Boston Latin School, in 1635.

Boston grew into a busy port and became an important town in the Thirteen Colonies. However, by the mid-1700s, cities like New York and Philadelphia became wealthier than Boston.

American Revolution and Siege of Boston

Boston played a big role in the American Revolution. Many important events happened here, showing the colonists' desire to break free from Britain. When Britain passed laws that the colonists didn't like, protests happened in Boston. In 1770, British troops shot at a crowd, an event called the Boston Massacre. In 1773, colonists threw tea into the harbor to protest British taxes in what is known as the Boston Tea Party. These events helped start the American Revolutionary War.

British soldiers laid siege to Boston, but after a long standoff, they left in 1776 after the colonists set up strong defenses.

Post-revolution and the War of 1812

After the Revolution, Boston became a busy port again. However, trade slowed during the Embargo Act of 1807 and the War of 1812. After that, Boston began making things in factories instead of just trading. The city also became known for its libraries and art.

Boston was once part of the trade that brought people from Africa against their will, but later became a place where people spoke out for freedom.

In 1822, Boston changed from a town to a city.

19th century

In the 1800s, many people from other countries moved to Boston, especially from Ireland. Later, people came from Germany, Lebanon, Syria, France, Canada, and Jewish communities from Russia and Poland. These new residents changed the city's culture and neighborhoods.

The city grew larger by filling in land along the water. Big fires in 1872 led to more land being filled in.

20th century

Many important buildings were built in the early 1900s, like Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, and Logan International Airport.

In 1942, a terrible fire happened at a nightclub, causing many deaths.

Later in the 20th century, Boston faced economic problems but began to grow again. New buildings went up, and hospitals and schools became famous for their work. The city also went through difficult times with school changes that caused unrest.

21st century

Boston remains a center for ideas, technology, and government. Some big companies have moved in, and the city continues to grow. In 2013, sadly, two bombs were set off during a race, and the city came together to support each other. Boston will host some games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Gillette Stadium.

Geography

Boston is the capital city of Massachusetts. It covers an area of 89.63 square miles, of which 48.4 square miles is land and 41.2 square miles is water. The city sits near Boston Harbor, a part of Massachusetts Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Boston is surrounded by many towns and cities. It borders Winthrop and the Boston Harbor Islands to the east, Revere, Chelsea, and Everett to the northeast, Somerville and Cambridge to the north, Watertown to the northwest, Newton and Brookline to the west, Dedham, Needham, and Canton to the southwest, and Milton and Quincy to the southeast. The Charles River separates parts of Boston from Watertown and Cambridge, while other rivers like the Neponset and Mystic define boundaries with nearby towns.

Boston is known for its many neighborhoods, which give the city its character. Some well-known neighborhoods include Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, Seaport District, South Boston, South End, West End, and West Roxbury. The city's landscape has changed over time, with much of the land being filled in from tidal areas.

Demographics

See also: History of the Irish in Boston, History of Italian Americans in Boston, History of African Americans in Boston, Chinese Americans in Boston, Vietnamese Americans in Boston, and LGBT culture in Boston

In the 2020 census, Boston was estimated to have 691,531 residents living in 266,724 households—a 12% population increase over 2010. Boston is the third-most densely populated large U.S. city of over half a million residents, and the most densely populated state capital. Many people come to the city for work, school, health care, and special events, which makes the number of people in Boston change a lot during the day.

In 2011, 21.9% of the population was aged 19 and under, 14.3% was from 20 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30.8 years.

Ethnicity

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U.S. Navy sailors march in Boston's annual Saint Patrick's Day parade. Irish Americans constitute the largest ethnicity in Boston.

An Armenian American family in Boston, 1908

In 2011, African-Americans comprised 22% of the city's population. People of Irish descent formed the second-largest single ethnic group in the city, making up 15.8% of the population, followed by Italians, accounting for 8.3% of the population. People of West Indian and Caribbean ancestry are another sizable group, collectively at over 15%.

In Greater Boston, these numbers grew significantly, with many different groups living in various neighborhoods. There is a large and historical Armenian community in Boston, and the city is home to the Armenian Heritage Park. Over 27,000 Chinese Americans made their home in Boston city proper in 2013.

Income

See also: List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income

Data is from the American Community Survey's five-year estimates 2008–2012.

Religion

In a 2023-24 study by the Pew Research Center, 47% of the population of the city identified themselves as Christians, with 21% attending a variety of Protestant churches and 24% professing Roman Catholic beliefs. 40% claim no religious affiliation. The remaining 13% are composed of adherents of Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and other faiths.

In 2010, the Catholic Church had the highest number of adherents as a single denomination in the Greater Boston area, followed by the Episcopal Church.

In 2015, the Boston metro area had a Jewish population of approximately 248,000. More than half the Jewish households in the Greater Boston area reside in the city itself, Brookline, Newton, Cambridge, Somerville, or adjacent towns.

Economy

See also: Major companies in Greater Boston and List of tourist attractions in Boston

Boston is a very important city for business and money. It is one of the top 30 most powerful cities in the world for its economy. The area around Boston has a big economy, worth over $610 billion, and is the eighth-largest in the United States.

The many colleges and universities in Boston help the city's economy a lot. Over 350,000 students come to Boston each year, bringing in more than $4.8 billion. These schools also create jobs and attract many different businesses. Boston is especially known for its work in biotechnology and gets a lot of money from the National Institutes of Health.

Tourism is also very important to Boston. Millions of visitors come each year, spending billions of dollars. The city is also a major seaport and has many important companies in finance, publishing, and sports gear.

Education

Boston has many schools for children and students of all ages. The Boston Public Schools have 145 schools and 57,000 students. One of these schools, the Boston Latin School, was started in 1635 and is the oldest public high school in the United States.

Boston is also home to many colleges and universities. Some of the most famous include Harvard University, MIT, and Tufts University. There are more than 50 colleges and universities in the Boston area, with over 250,000 students. These schools help make Boston a very important place for learning and research.

In 2019, Boston started a program called Boston Saves. This program gives every child in kindergarten a small savings account with $50 to help pay for college or training when they grow up.

Government

Boston has a strong mayor–council government system where the mayor, chosen every four years, has a lot of power. Michelle Wu became mayor in November 2021. Before her, Kim Janey served as Acting Mayor starting in March 2021. The Boston City Council is chosen every two years, with nine local seats and four citywide seats.

Boston uses a tool called CityScore to check how well city services are working. This helps leaders make improvements. The city also has many groups and state offices that help with things like parks, health, and water. As the capital of Massachusetts, Boston is important for state politics.

Boston has several important federal buildings and courts. The city is split between two areas for the U.S. Congress, with representatives from each area. Both are members of the Democratic Party. The state’s senators in the United States Senate are also Democrats.

Public safety

Boston spends a lot of money to keep its people safe. In 2021, the city spent $414 million on the Boston Police Department, which is the second largest amount after money spent on schools.

Like many big cities in the United States, Boston has seen fewer serious crimes since the early 1990s. This change happened because the police worked closely with neighborhood groups and churches to help young people stay out of gangs. This effort also got help from local government leaders. As a result, the number of serious crimes went down a lot. For example, in 1990 there were 152 murders, but by 1999 that number dropped to 31.

In 2022, Boston reported 3,955 serious crimes such as robbery and attack, and 11,514 property crimes like theft. The rate of serious crimes in Boston is higher than in all of Massachusetts and the whole United States. However, the rate of property crimes in Boston is lower than the national rate.

Arts and culture

Main article: Culture in Boston

Further information: List of annual events in Boston, List of arts organizations in Boston, and Sites of interest in Boston

Boston shares many cultural roots with greater New England, including a special way of speaking and a regional cuisine that features seafood, salt, and dairy products. The city has been called the "Athens of America" for its rich literary history. Famous writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Nathaniel Hawthorne lived and worked in Boston. The Boston Public Library, founded in 1852, was the first free library in the United States.

Music is very important in Boston. The Boston Symphony Orchestra is one of the greatest American orchestras and performs at Symphony Hall. The city also has many theaters, including the Cutler Majestic Theatre and the Orpheum Theatre. Boston hosts many special events throughout the year, such as First Night on New Year's Eve and the Boston Arts Festival. The city is also home to many museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Science.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Boston

Boston is home to teams in four big sports leagues and Major League Soccer. As of now, the city has won 40 championships in these leagues. From 2001 to 2024, the city's teams won thirteen championships. These teams include the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins.

The Boston Red Sox, one of the oldest baseball teams, play at Fenway Park, the oldest stadium in use in the United States. The Boston Bruins and Celtics play at TD Garden. The New England Patriots, founded as the Boston Patriots, now play in Foxborough but were once part of the city. The area also has many college teams and hosts famous events like the Boston Marathon and the Head of the Charles Regatta.

Parks and recreation

Boston Common is the oldest public park in the United States and is located near the Financial District and Beacon Hill. Together with the nearby Boston Public Garden, it forms part of the Emerald Necklace, a series of parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The Emerald Necklace includes places like the Back Bay Fens, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Pond, which is Boston's largest freshwater area, and Franklin Park, the city's biggest park that houses the Franklin Park Zoo.

Another important park is the Esplanade, situated along the Charles River. Nearby, the Hatch Shell serves as an outdoor concert venue. Additional parks and beaches can be found close to Castle Island and in areas such as Charlestown, Dorchester, South Boston, and East Boston.

Media

Main article: Media in Boston

See also: Boston in fiction § Film, and Boston in fiction § Video games

Boston has many newspapers, radio stations, and TV channels. The Boston Globe is the main newspaper in the city. Other papers include the Boston Herald, DigBoston, and the Boston edition of Metro. There are also newspapers for the city's Latino community, such as El Planeta, El Mundo, and La Semana.

Boston has many radio stations, including talk radio WRKO, sports and talk station WEEI, and news radio WBZ (AM). There are also FM stations, college radio stations, and public radio like WBUR and WGBH.

Boston has many TV stations from major networks like CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, and PBS. There are also Spanish-language TV channels in the area. Most TV stations have their transmitters in nearby Needham and Newton.

Infrastructure

Main article: Infrastructure in Boston

Healthcare

Boston has many important medical centers connected to universities. The Longwood Medical and Academic Area, close to the Fenway area, has several big hospitals and research places, like Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, and Joslin Diabetes Center. Other well-known hospitals are in the Beacon Hill area, such as Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. These hospitals often work with Harvard Medical School.

There are also hospitals like Tufts Medical Center in Chinatown, connected to Tufts University School of Medicine. Boston Medical Center in the South End is the biggest hospital that helps many people who need care and is also a teaching hospital for the Boston University School of Medicine.

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in Boston

Logan International Airport, located in East Boston and run by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), is the main airport for Boston. There are smaller airports nearby for private planes, like Beverly Regional Airport, Lawrence Municipal Airport, Hanscom Field, and Norwood Memorial Airport.

Boston’s downtown streets grew in a natural way and don’t follow a planned pattern, unlike areas like Back Bay, East Boston, the South End, and South Boston. Boston is where I-90 begins, and this road in Massachusetts is called the Massachusetts Turnpike. The Central Artery follows I-93 and is the main road for traffic going north and south through downtown Boston. Other important roads include US 1 for the North Shore and areas south of Boston, US 3 for the northwestern suburbs, MA 3 for the South Shore and Cape Cod, and MA 2 for the western suburbs. Around the city is MA 128, which connects to other roads like I-95 and I-93.

Many people in Boston use public transportation to get to work. In 2016, 33.8 percent of households didn’t have a car, which is much higher than the national average of 8.7 percent. Boston’s public transport system, run by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), has the oldest underground train system in the Americas and is very busy. The MBTA also runs buses, trains, and ferries.

Amtrak, the national train service, has four stations in Boston: South Station, North Station, Back Bay, and Route 128. South Station is a big place where many trains and other types of transport meet. It’s the end point for Amtrak’s Northeast Regional, Acela Express, and Lake Shore Limited trains, as well as many MBTA services. Back Bay station also has these Amtrak trains and MBTA services. Route 128 station, farther from the city center, only has the Acela Express and Northeast Regional trains. North Station is where the Downeaster train to Brunswick, Maine ends.

Boston is known as “The Walking City” because many people walk to work. About 13 percent of people walk to get around, the highest in the country for big cities. As of 2024^[update], Walk Score says Boston is the third most walkable city in the U.S.

Boston also has many people who ride bikes. The city has a bike-sharing program called Bluebikes, which started in July 2011. It has 480 stations and 4,500 bikes. PBSC Urban Solutions helps run this bike-sharing system.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Boston

Boston has been home to many famous people throughout history. The city has produced leaders, artists, and thinkers who have made important contributions to the United States and the world. Many well-known individuals grew up or lived in Boston at some point in their lives.

International relations

Boston has eleven official sister cities around the world, including Kyoto in Japan, Strasbourg in France, and Barcelona in Spain. These partnerships help Boston connect with people from different places.

Boston also has formal partnerships with five more cities or regions, such as Guangzhou in China and Lyon in France. These partnerships began in recent years and continue to grow.