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MASSACHUSETTS
Social & Demographic Characteristics
Other facts sheets for Massachusetts:
The data below describe the state rankings and selected characteristics of the immigrant and native-born populations in Massachusetts in 2011.Rankings
The following shows Massachusetts' rankings in several categories. (All rankings include the 50 states and the District of Columbia and are ranked highest to lowest.)
| Rankings | |
| Size of the foreign-born population, 2011: | 7 out of 51 |
| Percent foreign born in the total population, 2011: | 8 out of 51 |
| Numeric change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: | 14 out of 51 |
| Percent change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: | 40 out of 51 |
Data Highlights
For data on these topics click on the link:
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Population
The foreign-born population (or immigrants; we use
these terms interchangeably) of Massachusetts changed by 27.2 percent
between 2000 and 2011.
Between 2000 and 2011, the foreign-born population in Massachusetts changed
from 772,983 to 983,389, representing a change of 27.2 percent. In comparison, the foreign-born
population changed from 573,733 to 772,983 between 1990 and 2000, a difference of 34.7 percent.
At the national level, the foreign-born population increased from 19,767,316 to 31,107,889 between 1990 and 2000, representing a change of 57.4 percent, and grew from 31,107,889 to 40,377,860 ( 29.8 percent) between 2000 and 2011.
In 2011, the foreign born represented 14.9 percent of
Massachusetts'
total population.
In 2011, 14.9 percent of
Massachusetts'
total population were immigrants,
compared to 12.2 percent in 2000 and 9.5 percent in 1990.
At the national level, the foreign-born population represented 13.0 percent of the total population in 2011, compared to 11.1 percent in 2000 and 7.9 percent in 1990.
Of the total immigrant population in Massachusetts, 24.4 percent entered
during the 1990s, and 39.3 percent entered in 2000 or later.
Of the foreign-born population resident in Massachusetts in 2011, 19.5
percent entered the country prior to 1980, 16.8 percent between 1980 and 1989,
24.4 percent between 1990 and 1999, and 39.3 percent in 2000 or later.
Nationally, 19.3 percent of the foreign-born population entered the country before 1980, 18.3 percent during the 1980s, 26.7 percent during the 1990s, and 35.7 percent in 2000 or later.
The largest share of the foreign-born population in Massachusetts were from Latin America.
Of the total foreign-born population in Massachusetts in 2011, 8.4 percent
were from Africa, 29.3 percent from Asia, 23.3 percent from Europe, 35.7 percent from
Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), 3.0
percent from Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and
Miquelon), and 0.3 percent from Oceania.
At the national level, 4.1 percent were from Africa, 28.6 percent from Asia, 12.1 percent from Europe, 52.6 percent from Latin America, 2.0 percent from Northern America, and 0.5 percent from Oceania.
The top three countries of birth of the foreign born in Massachusetts were
china, brazil, and portugal.*
Of the total immigrant population in Massachusetts in
2011, 7.6 percent were born in china, 6.7 percent in brazil, and 5.6 percent
in portugal. In contrast, the top three countries of birth in 1990 were Portugal (12.7
percent), Canada (9.1 percent), and Italy (6.6 percent).
At the national level, the top three countries of birth in 2011 were mexico (28.9 percent), india (4.6 percent), and china (4.6 percent). The top three countries of birth in 1990 were Mexico (21.7 percent), the Philippines (4.6 percent), and Canada (3.8 percent).
*Note: These are the largest countries of birth reported by the Census Bureau. Some countries are only listed as part of a larger geographic region. For example, those born in Somalia are included only among those born in Eastern Africa. Therefore, a few states may have larger populations of foreign-born persons born in countries not listed individually in census data. "China" refers to China and Hong Kong, but not Taiwan. The 1990 data on the countries of birth reflect geographic boundaries as of 1990.In Massachusetts, 51.0 percent of the foreign born were US citizens in 2011.
The 2011 American Community Survey reported that 501,139, or 51.0 percent, of the foreign-born population in Massachusetts were citizens,
compared to 337,617, or 43.7 percent,
in 2000. This represents a change of 48.4 percent
in the size of the foreign-born citizen population between 2000 and 2011.
Nationally, 40.3 percent of the foreign-born population were citizens in 2000, and 44.9 percent were citizens in 2011.
In Massachusetts, 81.3 percent of the immigrants who entered before 1980 were citizens,
compared to 21.3 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
Among the foreign-born population in Massachusetts in 2011, 81.3 percent
of those who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 72.7
percent who entered during the 1980s, 59.5 percent who entered during the 1990s,
and 21.3 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
Nationally, 79.8 percent of the foreign-born population who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 64.2 percent who entered during the 1980s, 45.1 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 16.1 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
In Massachusetts, 51.8 percent of the immigrant population were female in 2011,
and 48.2 percent male.
Of the total foreign-born population in Massachusetts in 2011, 51.8 percent
were female and 48.2 percent male, compared to 51.6 percent female and 48.4 percent male among the native born.
At the national level, 51.1 percent of the foreign born were female and 48.9 percent male.
Immigrants made up 1.4 percent of young children in Massachusetts, 4.9 percent of
youths, 19.4 percent of working-age (18-54)
adults, and 15.0 percent
of adults age 55 and older.
In 2011, 1.4 percent of
Massachusetts'
population younger than
age 5 were born abroad as were 4.9 percent of those
5 to 17; 12.7 percent of those 18 to 24; 21.1 percent of those 25 to 54; and 15.0 percent of seniors 55 and older.
Nationally, 1.2 percent of those under age 5 were foreign born, as well as 4.5 percent of those 5 to 17; 10.8 percent of those 18 to 24; 18.9 percent of those 25 to 54; and 13.0 percent of those 55 and older.
Of the immigrant population in Massachusetts, 5.7 percent were minors, 67.5 percent
were of working age (18-54), and 26.8 percent were 55
and older.
In 2011, 0.5 percent of the foreign-born population in Massachusetts were
under the age of 5; 5.2 percent were 5 to 17; 8.8 percent were 18 to 24; 58.7
percent were 25 to 54; and 26.8 percent were 55 or older. Among the native-born
population in Massachusetts, 6.4 percent were under the age of 5; 17.7
percent were between 5 and 17; 10.6 percent were 18 to 24; 38.6 percent were 25
to 54; and 26.7 percent were 55 or older.
At the national level, 0.6 percent of the immigrant population were under 5; 5.9 percent were 5 to 17; 8.3 percent were 18 to 24; 59.5 percent were 25 to 54; and 25.6 percent were 55 or older.
In Massachusetts, 25.1 percent of the foreign-born population were Asian,
14.7 percent
were black or African American, and 45.0 percent were white.
Of the foreign born in Massachusetts in 2011, 45.0 percent
reported their race as white alone, 14.7 percent as
black or African American alone, 25.1 percent as Asian
alone, and 10.5 percent as some other race;
4.5 percent reported having two or
more races. Among the native-born population in Massachusetts,
86.8 percent reported their race as white alone, 5.5 percent as black or African
American alone, 2.1 percent as Asian alone,
3.2 percent as some other race, and
2.2 percent as having two or more races.
At the national level, 48.3 percent of the foreign born reported their race as white alone, 8.4 percent as black or African American alone, 24.8 percent as Asian alone, and 15.5 percent as some other race; 2.5 percent reported having two or more races.
Of the foreign born in Massachusetts, 21.0 percent reported Hispanic or Latino origins.
In Massachusetts,
21.0 percent of immigrants reported Hispanic or Latino
origins, compared to 7.9 percent of the native born.
At the national level, 46.6 percent of the foreign born reported a Hispanic or Latino origin.
The average household size of the immigrant population in Massachusetts in 2011
was 3.17 persons for those who owned their own homes and 2.66 persons for those
who rented.
The average household size of the foreign-born population in Massachusetts who
owned their own homes was 3.17 persons, while the average household size
of those renting their homes was 2.66 persons. Among the native-born population
in Massachusetts,
the average household size of those who owned their own homes was 2.62 persons,
while the average household size of those who rented their homes was 2.06 persons.
The share of households headed by a foreign-born person with more than one
occupant per room was 5.7 percent.
Of all households in Massachusetts headed by a foreign-born person,
5.7 percent were households in which the number of
household members exceeded the number of rooms in the house. Among households
in Massachusetts headed
by native-born persons, 1.0 percent had more people
than rooms in the house.
At the national level, 12.1 percent of households headed by a foreign-born person had more than one occupant per room.
Domestic and International Migration
Between 2010 and 2011, 37,789 immigrants moved to Massachusetts from abroad, 22,176
immigrants relocated from other states and the District of Columbia (DC), and 18,306 immigrants
left Massachusetts for another state within the United States.*
Of the 59,965 immigrant respondents (ages one and older in 2011) who moved
to Massachusetts between 2010 and 2011, 63.0 percent (or 37,789) arrived from abroad and 37.0 percent (or 22,176)
relocated from another state. At the same time, 18,306 immigrants moved out of
Massachusetts to another area within the United States, while 819,775 immigrants continued
residing in the same house and 103,357 immigrants moved within Massachusetts.
Between 2010 and 2011, 22,229 native-born residents (ages one and older) moved to Massachusetts from abroad, 117,654 native born relocated from another state, 127,563 native born left Massachusetts for another state, and 553,084 native born moved within Massachusetts. The majority of native-born residents did not move (4,838,993).
Between 2010 and 2011, the total population (ages one and older) of Massachusetts increased from 6,461,078 to 6,515,057 (or by 53,979) due to the net domestic out-migration of natives (-9,909), the net domestic in-migration of immigrants (3,870), and the arrival from abroad of natives (22,229) and immigrants (37,789).
*Note: These estimates do not include people who lived in Massachusetts in 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.
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In 2011, 6.5 percent of immigrant women in Massachusetts had given birth in the
previous year.
Of the foreign-born women in Massachusetts in 2011, 6.5 percent had
given birth in the previous year. Of those who had given birth, 72.7 percent were
married, and 27.3 percent were not married (including those who were divorced
or widowed). Among native-born women in Massachusetts, 4.4 percent had
given birth in the previous year. Of those, 65.2 percent were married and 34.8
percent unmarried.
At the national level, 6.8 percent of immigrant women had given birth in the previous year, including 76.4 percent who were married and 23.6 percent who were unmarried.
Children residing with at least one immigrant parent accounted
for
25.5 percent of children under age 18 in 2011, 19.1 percent
in 2000, and 15.5 percent in 1990.
Of all children under age 18 in Massachusetts in 2011, 345,284 or 25.5 percent resided in
immigrant families (i.e., with at least one foreign-born parent).
Nationally, children with immigrant parents accounted for 24.3 percent of all children under age 18 in 2011, compared to 19.1 percent in 2000 and 13.4 percent in 1990.
For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.
Of all children with immigrant parents in Massachusetts, 86.7 percent
were US citizens by birth.
In 2011, there were 299,387 US-born children with at least one immigrant parent in Massachusetts.
They accounted for 86.7 percent of all children with immigrant parents. The
share of US-born children among children of immigrants under age 18 was 79.8 percent
in 2000 and 77.8 percent in 1990.
At the national level, 87.1 percent of children with immigrant parents were US born, compared to 79.5 percent in 2000 and 77.0 percent in 1990.
For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.
Children of immigrants accounted for 33.8 percent
of all children in low-income families (i.e., below 200 percent of the federal
poverty threshold) in 2011, 27.1 percent in 2000, and 20.1 percent
in 1990 in Massachusetts.
In 2011, there were 398,613 children under age 18 who resided in families with income
below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold in Massachusetts.
Of them, 33.8 percent were children with immigrant parent(s).
In comparison, children with immigrant parent(s) accounted for 30.5 percent of children in low-income families in the nation in 2011, 25.5 percent in 2000, and 16.7 percent in 1990.
Table 1. Foreign-Born Population
and World Region of Birth (1990, 2000, and 2011) |
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1. This table describes the entire population of Massachusetts. 2. For 1990, 2000, and 2011, the total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the 1990 total excludes those who did not report a country of birth and those born at sea, while the 2000 and 2011 totals exclude those born at sea. In 2000 and 2011, individuals who did not report a country of birth were allocated a country (and region) based on various characteristics. Because of this allocation in 2000 and 2011, but not in 1990, the increase for a specific region between 1990 and 2000 is overstated by a small, but unknown, amount. Sources: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS); US Census Bureau, 1990 Census of Population and Housing and Census 2000, click here. For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here. |
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Table 2.
Characteristics of the Foreign-Born Population in Massachusetts,
20111
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1. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state. 2. Data on the foreign born from Africa and Oceania by period of entry are not available because the number of sample cases was too small for many states. 3. The total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the totals exclude those born at sea. 4. The abbreviation "n.e.c." stands for not elsewhere classified. 5. For Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia the data are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming the data are from 2007-2011 ACS. For the United States and the rest of the states the data are from 2011 ACS. Source: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here. For definitions used in ACS, click here. |
Table 3. Domestic and International Mobility of the Native and Foreign-Born Population in Massachusetts1 |
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1. The ACS asks if the person lived in the same house or apartment one year ago. If the respondent indicates that he or she did not live in the same house or apartment one year ago, then the city, town or post office, along with the county, state, and zip code of their residence one year ago, is requested. ACS collects data every month and asks about residence one year earlier without referencing a specific date. These estimates do not include people who lived in Massachusetts in 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older. 2. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state. Sources: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2011. For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here. For definitions used in ACS, click here. |
Table 4. Children in Immigrant Families in Massachusetts (1990, 2000, and 2011) |
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1. This table refers only to children under 18 who resided with at least one parent. These figures do not include children under 18 who reside in a home with no parents. 2. Low-income families are defined as families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold. Sources: 1990 and 2000 Decennial Census data are from Steven Ruggles, Matthew Sobek, Trent Alexander, Catherine A. Fitch, Ronald Goeken, Patricia Kelly Hall, Miriam King, and Chad Ronnander, "Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: Version 4.0" (Machine-readable database, Minnesota Population Center [producer and distributor], 2011); US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). |
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