Dorchester, Boston, MA Demographics

What is the population of Dorchester?

There are 85,506 residents in Dorchester, with a median age of 36.3. Of this, 47.6% are males and 52.4% are females. US-born citizens make up 63.96% of the resident pool in Dorchester, while non-US-born citizens account for 23.59%. Additionally, 12.45% of the population is represented by non-citizens. A total of 73,374 people in Dorchester currently live in the same house as they did last year.
Y-o-Y Change
Total Population 85,506 -0.4%
Male Population 40,705 0.8%
Female Population 44,801 -1.4%
Male Population 47.6%
Female Population 52.4%
Y-o-Y Change
Median Age 36.3 3.4%
Citizen U.S. Born 54,689 -0.4%
Citizen not U.S. Born 20,174 2.9%
Not Citizen 10,643 -5.9%
Citizen U.S. Born 63.96%
Citizen not U.S. Born 23.59%
Not Citizen 12.45%
Y-o-Y Change
Moved from Abroad 774 0.0%
Moved from Same County 6,644 -11.9%
Moved from Same State 2,398 8.3%
Moved from Different State 1,459 10.5%
Same House as Last Year 73,374 0.5%
Moved from Abroad 0.91%
Moved from Same County 7.85%
Moved from Same State 2.83%
Moved from Different State 1.72%
Same House as Last Year 86.68%

What are the employment statistics in Dorchester?

White-collar workers make up 84.99% of the working population in Dorchester, while blue-collar employees account for 15.01%. There are also 2,832 entrepreneurs in Dorchester (6.39% of the workforce); 27,374 workers employed in private companies (61.79%); and 5,930 people working in governmental institutions (13.39%).
Y-o-Y Change
White Collar 37,654 -0.2%
Blue Collar 6,649 -3.4%
White Collar 84.99%
Blue Collar 15.01%
Y-o-Y Change
Self Employees 2,832 0.0%
Private Companies 27,374 -1.5%
Governmental Workers 5,930 0.8%
Not for Profit Companies 8,167 0.5%
Self Employees 6.39%
Private Companies 61.79%
Governmental Workers 13.39%
Not for Profit Companies 18.43%

How many households are there in Dorchester?

There are a total of 32,573 households in Dorchester, each made up of around 3 members. Family establishments represent 59.19% of these Dorchester households, while non-family units account for the remaining 40.81%. Additionally, 29.97% of households have children and 70.03% of households are without children.
Y-o-Y Change
Total households 32,573 1.2%
Average People per Household 3 N/A
Family Households 19,281 1.9%
Non-Family Households 13,292 0.2%
Family Households 59.19%
Non-Family Households 40.81%
Y-o-Y Change
Households with Children 9,763 0.1%
Households without Children 22,810 1.7%
Households with Children 29.97%
Households without Children 70.03%

What are the median and average incomes in Dorchester?

The average annual household income in Dorchester is $102,612, while the median household income sits at $72,189 per year. Residents aged 25 to 44 earn $92,165, while those between 45 and 64 years old have a median wage of $61,719. In contrast, people younger than 25 and those older than 65 earn less, at $34,453 and $29,593, respectively.
Y-o-Y Change
Average Household Income $102,612 10.2%
Median Household Income $72,189 9.9%
People below Poverty Level 1 N/A
People above Poverty Level 67,610 -0.6%

How many homeowners and renters are there in Dorchester?

There are 35,601 housing units in Dorchester, and the median year in which these properties were built is 1938. Of the 32,573 occupied housing units in Dorchester, 38.81% are owner-occupied, while 61.19% have renters living in them. Meanwhile, properties bought with mortgages account for 73.88% of the units, and the median value of a home with a mortgage is $611,000. In general, housing costs reach $1,875 per month in Dorchester.
Y-o-Y Change
Housing Units 35,601 0.7%
Median Year Built 1938 -0.5%
Built in 1939 or Earlier 19,529 -2.1%
Built between 1940 and 1949 1,992 16.6%
Built between 1950 and 1959 2,164 3.1%
Built between 1960 and 1969 1,899 -4.6%
Built between 1970 and 1979 1,832 7.0%
Built between 1980 and 1989 1,954 -0.5%
Built between 1990 and 1999 1,564 0.3%
Built between 2000 and 2009 2,631 4.4%
Built between 2010 and 2019 1,986 7.0%
Built in 2020 or Later 50 233.3%
Y-o-Y Change
Occupied Housing Units 32,573 1.2%
Owner Occupied 12,640 3.2%
Renter Occupied $19,933 -0.1%
Owner Occupied 38.81%
Renter Occupied 61.19%
Y-o-Y Change
With Mortgage 9,339 0.2%
Without Mortgage 3,301 12.8%
Median Value with Mortgage $611,000 11.2%
Median Value without Mortgage $607,900 9.3%
Median Housing Costs per Month $1,875 8.9%
With Mortgage 73.88%
Without Mortgage 26.12%

What is the level of education in Dorchester?

Approximately 34.35% of the population in Dorchester holds a high school degree (that's 23,644 residents), while 19.53% have attained a college certificate (13,447 locals) and 19.74% have a bachelor's degree (13,591 people).
Y-o-Y Change
No High School 5,410 -1.4%
Some High School 23,644 1.4%
Some College 13,447 -1.6%
Associate Degree 3,784 2.6%
Bachelor's Degree 13,591 4.1%
Graduate Degree 8,961 -1.1%
No High School 7.86%
Some High School 34.35%
Some College 19.53%
Associate Degree 5.5%
Bachelor's Degree 19.74%
Graduate Degree 13.02%

What is the marital status of Dorchester residents?

A total of 37,034 people in Dorchester have never been married (which represents 50.25% of the total population), while 25,495 of them are wedded (34.59%). Separated and divorced residents are in smaller numbers, at 2,335 (3.17%) and 6,047 (8.2%), respectively.
Y-o-Y Change
Never Married 37,034 -1.2%
Married 25,495 2.2%
Separated 2,335 -3.8%
Widowed 2,793 -3.4%
Divorced 6,047 6,047.0%
Never Married 50.25%
Married 34.59%
Separated 3.17%
Widowed 3.79%
Divorced 8.2%

What are the most common means of transportation in Dorchester?

The top three means of transportation people in Dorchester use to get to work are: car, bus or trolley bus and walking. A total of 21,919 residents commute by car, 5,040 prefer going to work by bus or trolley bus and 2,603 by walking
Y-o-Y Change
Car 21,919 -1.5%
Bus or TrolleyBus 5,040 -16.1%
Railroad 133 52.9%
Ferryboat 10 -9.1%
Bicycle 498 2.7%
Motorcycle 1 -85.7%
TaxiCab 248 1.2%
Walk 2,603 1.7%

Methodology & Disclaimers

Demographic data shown in this section was gathered from the latest U.S. Census Bureau release, the 2022 American Community Survey. The information is updated yearly, as soon as new data is made available by the US Census Bureau.
No representation, guarantee or warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information modified or aggregated for specific neighborhoods and/or zip codes.