Boston
Boston: Geography and Climate
Boston: History
Boston: Population Profile
Boston: Municipal Government
Boston: Economy
Boston: Education and Research
Boston: Health Care
Boston: Recreation
Boston: Convention Facilities
Boston: Transportation
Boston: Communications
The City in Brief
Founded: 1630 (chartered, 1822)
Head Official: Mayor Thomas M. Menino (D) (since 1994)
City Population
1980: 562,994
1990: 574,283
2000: 589,141
2003 estimate: 581,616
Percent change, 1990–2000: 2.6%
U.S. rank in 1980: 20th
U.S. rank in 1990: 20th (State rank: 1st)
U.S. rank in 2000: 23rd (State rank: 1st)
Metropolitan Area Population (PMSA)
1980: 2,806,000
1990: 3,227,707
2000: 3,406,829
Percent change, 1990–2000: 6.2%
U.S. rank in 1980: 7th (CMSA)
U.S. rank in 1990: 7th (CMSA)
U.S. rank in 2000: 7th (CMSA)
Area: 48 square miles (2000)
Elevation: Ranges from 15 to 29 feet above sea level
Average Annual Temperature: 51.6° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 42.53 inches of rain; 42.6 inches of snow
Major Economic Sectors: Services, trade, manufacturing, government
Unemployment Rate: 4.9% (March 2005)
Per Capita Income: $23,353 (1999)
2003 FBI Crime Index Total: 35,049
Major Colleges and Universities: Boston University; Tufts
University Medical School; Harvard University School of Medicine; Boston College; New England Conserva-tory of Music; School of the Museum of Fine Arts; University of Massachusetts at Boston; Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Daily Newspapers: The Boston Globe ; Boston Herald
