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Frequently Asked Questions About Cambridge Demographics
- What is the population of Cambridge?
- How many households reside in Cambridge?
- What is the average size of Cambridge households?
- How many Cambridge residents reside in group quarters?
- How densely populated is Cambridge?
- How highly educated are Cambridge residents?
- How many Cambridge residents are current college or graduate students?
- How many Cambridge residents were born in another country?
- How racially diverse is Cambridge?
- How ethnically diverse is Cambridge?
- What languages, other than English, are most often spoken in Cambridge?
- What is the median income of Cambridge residents?
- What is the poverty rate in Cambridge? How many people are low or moderate income?
- How many housing units are found in Cambridge?
- How many Cambridge units are rented and how many are owner occupied?
- What is the mix of Cambridge residential building types?
- How much does it cost to buy in Cambridge?
- How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Cambridge?
- How many people work in Cambridge?
- What are the predominant industries in Cambridge?
- How many business are located in Cambridge?
- What is the average annual wage in Cambridge?
- What are the predominant occupations of Cambridge residents?
- What is the unemployment rate of Cambridge residents?
- For More Information
The source for all the information found below is the U. S. Bureau of the Census, unless stated otherwise. Certain figures used here are from the 2000 decennial census. These will be updated following the release of 2010 decennial census results for the City of Cambridge. More up to date measures of population characteristics are available through the Census Bureau's American Community Survey program, and these are used below where possible.
1. What is the population of Cambridge?
The 2010 U.S. Census recorded 105,162 residents, a 3.8% increase from the 2000 U. S. Census. The 2000 decennial census found that the population of Cambridge was 101,355. The population of Cambridge in 1990 was 95,802, up from 95,322 in 1980 and down from the 1950 peak of 120,740.
2. How many households reside in Cambridge?
The 2010 Census found 44,032 households in Cambridge. The 2000 U. S. Census recorded 42,615 households in Cambridge, including 17,595 families, 41.3% of the total. The 1990 U. S. Census recorded 39,405 households in Cambridge, including 17,575 families, 44.6% of the total.
3. What is the average size of Cambridge households?
The average household size was 2.00 persons in 2010, 2.03 persons in 2000, and 2.08 persons in 1990.
4. How many Cambridge residents reside in group quarters?
As of the 2010 Census 17,102 Cambridge residents or 16.3% of the total, lived in group quarters. As of the 2000 Census 14,663 Cambridge residents, or 14.5%, lived in group quarters. Residents of group quarters include all persons residing in dormitories, hospitals, nursing homes, jails and group homes. All persons who do not reside in group quarters reside in households. The vast majority of group quarters residents, over 90% of those recorded in 2010, were college dormitory residents.
5. How densely populated in Cambridge?
In 2010 Cambridge had a population density of 16,469 persons per square mile and 7,406 housing units per square mile. According to the United States Census Bureau, as of the 2000 U. S. Census, Cambridge is the 10th densest city in the United States.
6. How highly educated are Cambridge residents?
According to the 2007 - 2009 American Community Survey, 72.4% of the population over 25 had either a four year bachelor degree or a graduate degree, 11.0% had either an Associate degree or some college course work, 11.6% had a high school diploma and 5.0% did not have a high school diploma.
7. How many Cambridge residents are current college or graduate students?
According to the 2007 - 2009 American Community Survey, 22.7% of the population 3 or older was enrolled in a full time or part time in college or graduate school degree programs. The 2010 Annual Town Gown Reports submitted by Cambridge College, Harvard University, Lesley University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology indicate that these institutions have 14,612 undergraduate students and 21,457 graduate students, not all of whom are resident in Cambridge.
8. How many Cambridge residents were born in a foreign country?
According to the 2007 2009 American Community Survey, 25.7% of Cambridge residents were foreign born and 9.9% were naturalized citizens. Cambridge has long served as a port of entry for immigrants from around the world.
9. How racially diverse is Cambridge?
The 2010 U. S. Census found that 66.6% of Cambridge residents were White, 11.7% were Black, 15.1% were Asian or Pacific islander and 6.6% classified themselves as some other race or a member of two or more races. Hispanics totaled 7.6% of the population. 62.1% of the population was White and Non-Hispanic.
Sixty-eight percent of 2000 residents were White, 12% Black, 12% Asian or Pacific Islander, 3% described their race as "Other" and 5% selected two or more races. Seven percent of all residents were of Hispanic background. Sixty-five percent of 2000 residents were White non-Hispanic. Slightly less than 50% of residents under 18 were White non-Hispanic.
Seventy-five percent of all 1990 residents were White; 14% Black, 8% Asian and 3% of other races, including American Indian. Seven percent of all residents were of Hispanic background. Seventy-two percent of 1990 residents were White non-Hispanic.
Hispanics can be members of any racial group and are measured separately from race.
10. How ethnically diverse is Cambridge?
Major ancestry groups reported by the 2007 - 2009 American Community Survey included Irish (14.7%), English (10.6%), German (9.8%), Italian (8.5%), Polish (4.2%), Russian (3.8%), Subsaharan African (3.9%), French (3.8%), and West Indian (3.2%). Note that the Census allows people to claim more than one ancestry.
11. What languages, other than English, are most often spoken in Cambridge?
Major languages and language groups recorded 2007 - 2009 American Community Survey in Cambridge include Spanish (6.5%), Chinese (4.5%), French, including Haitian Creole (4.4%), African languages (2.2%), and Indic Languages such as Hindi, Gujarthi and Urdu (2.1%).
12. What is the median income of Cambridge residents?
According to the 2007 - 2009 American Community Survey median family income totaled $88,238, in inflation adjusted dollars up from $76,495 in 1999 and $66,791 in 1989. This represents an increase of 15.4% from 1999 and 32.1% from 1989 in inflation adjusted dollars.
Median household incomes rose from $61,763 in 1999 to $67,042 in 20076 - 2009 in inflation adjusted dollars, an 8.5% increase. In 1989 median household income stood at $55,350 in inflation adjusted dollars, indicating an increase of 21.1% increase over the next twenty years.
All figures adjusted to the 2009 level using the change in Consumer Price Index for all urban wage earners (CPI-U-RS).
The U. S. Department of Housing & Urban Development estimates that the 2010 Boston area median income for a family of four is $91,800 per year and the 2007 - 2009 American Community Survey indicates that the national family median income for that period was $62,367.
13. What is the poverty rate in Cambridge?
According to the 2007 - 2009 American Community Survey 15.4% of all persons and 10.0% of all families had incomes below the poverty line, as defined by the U. S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey.
14. How many housing units are found in Cambridge?
The Census Bureau recorded 47,291 housing units while conducting the 2010 Census.
15. How many Cambridge units are rented and how many are owner occupied?
As reported by the 2000 Census, 67.7% of units are rented and 32.3% are owner occupied (including owner occupied condominiums). Approximately 15% of the entire housing stock is subsidized in some form.
16. What is the mix of Cambridge residential building types?
According the Cambridge Community Development Department's Housing Profile, in 2010 single family dwellings accounted for 7.5% of housing units, two family buildings for 14.3%, three family buildings for 12.6%, four to six unit buildings for 10.1%, buildings with over six units up to 50 units 20.2% and buildings with 51 or units 35.2%. Condominiums, regardless of their building type, included for 27.0% of the housing stock. Units located in mixed use buildings were 5.6% of the stock, and rooming houses accounted for 2.4% of housing units.
17. How much does it cost to buy a home in Cambridge?
The 2010 median market rate sales price of a single family home was $760,000, for a two family $705,000, and for a condominium $424,000.
18. How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Cambridge?
According to an April 2011 survey of Boston.com and Craigslist.com, median monthly rents for market rate Cambridge apartments are $2,000 for a one bedroom unit, $2,650 for a two bedroom unit and $3,000 for a three bedroom unit.
19. How many people work in Cambridge?
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported 105,660 jobs in Cambridge during the third quarter of 2010. This figure includes only employees for whom the unemployment tax is paid; it does not include self employed persons or sole proprietors. (Note that this number represents persons who work in Cambridge, not employed City residents.)
20. What are the predominant industries in Cambridge?
During the third quarter of 2010, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, 26.2% of employed persons in Cambridge worked in Professional and Technical Services, 25.7% in Educational Services, 10.2% in Health Care and Social Assistance, 8.2% in Accommodation and Food Services and 5.7% in Retail Trade.
21. How many business are located in Cambridge?
During the third quarter of 2010, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, 4,241 establishments paid unemployment tax for employees. This figure does not include self employed persons. According to the 2007 - 2009 American Community Survey over 4,000 Cambridge residents are self-employed.
22. What is the average annual wage in Cambridge?
During the first quarter of 2010, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, the average annual wage earned in Cambridge was $82,264.
23. What are the predominant occupations of Cambridge residents?
According to the 2006 - 2008 American Community Survey, many Cambridge residents worked in Education, Training and Library (16.5%), Management Occupations (11.4%), Service Occupations (10.5%), and Office and Administrative Support (9.2%).
24. What is the unemployment rate of Cambridge residents?
In May 2011, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, the unemployment rate in Cambridge stood at 4.9% (unadjusted). For up to date unemployment information, visit the Labor Force and Unemployment Rates page linked to the Economic Data page of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
For More Information
For more information about socioeconomic and demographic statistics about Cambridge, please contact Cliff Cook, ccook@cambridgema.gov, Planning Information Manager, at 617/349-4656. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.
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