Boston

December 2011

The State of Equity in Metro Boston E X E C U T I V E S U M M A RY

To create MetroFuture, the region’s plan for growth through the year 2030, thousands of people came together to talk about the future they wanted for their region. These “plan builders” shared a common vision of an equitable region where “all people have full and equal access to opportunities that enable them to attain their full potential.” 1

The MetroFuture Equity Goals MetroFuture directs us to achieve this vision by eliminating unfair, preventable, and systematic differences between groups that not only harm individuals and families, but threaten the vibrancy of our region. We believe that a focus on equity will make our region not only more just, but also more prosperous for all its residents. The MetroFuture region is one where: • A wider diversity of housing types are built in all communities (Goal #16), helping to combat segregation based on race, ethnicity, and income (Goal #15).

• More convenient transportation options, leading to a healthier lifestyle, are available throughout the region, particularly in traditionally under-served areas (Goal #44).

• Health outcomes improve for residents of historically disadvantaged communities, with increased access to healthy food “(Goal #24), green space (Goal #23), better air quality (Goal #22), and medical care (Goal #26).

• All of the region’s residents are equipped with all of the tools they need to succeed in tomorrow’s economy (Goal #29), and small business owners and first-time homebuyers have the resources to build wealth for future generations (Goal #38).

So, what is the state of equity in Metro Boston?

Inequity Impacts Us … CHILDREN as they try to grow up healthy, learn, and play

YOUNG ADULTS as they try to learn, stay safe, and establish independence

Black/African American and Latino teens enter the workforce less prepared for the region’s knowledge economy.

White children and children of color rarely grow up side-by-side in Metro Boston. Children of color are highly concentrated in the region’s urban areas — areas that are nearly absent Whites the same age.

We are Becoming More Diverse Metro Boston is changing. These demographic trends will have huge impacts on the region in decades to come, and the face of the region in 2030 will look substantially different than it does now. • Our older population is growing • The youngest among us are our most diverse residents • We are increasingly foreign-born

Dropout rates for Black/African American and Latino teens are vastly higher than those for Whites and Asians.

…At Each Stage of Our Lives ADULTS as they try to make a good living, build a home, and stay healthy

The foreclosure crisis hit urban and minority neighborhoods first and hardest.

About half of all renters in the region are costburdened by housing.

We are Becoming Less Equal Segregation and income inequality harm individuals throughout their lives and leave Metro Boston less able to compete on the global stage with more equitable regions. These factors also underpin or exacerbate many of the inequalities highlighted in this report. • Income inequality is high and growing in Metro Boston • The region remains highly segregated • Our regressive tax structure worsens income inequality

SENIORS as they try to remain active, retire comfortably, and stay connected

Grandparents raising grandchildren are especially impacted by poverty.

Blacks/African Americans die prematurely at more than one and a half times the rate of whites.

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State of Equity in Metro Boston Indicators Report

Key Findings The State of Equity in Metro Boston is the first in a series of indicator reports that will monitor the region’s progress towards achieving goals set out by the MetroFuture plan. It will be followed by a policy report that will outline key recommendations to help ensure that the region is on track to meet its goals. It is a “baseline report” that establishes the numbers against which progress will be measured. We’ve taken a snapshot of the region as it looks right now, and future reports will tell us more clearly whether we are moving towards our goals — or away from them. We highlight equity-related goals first, because meeting them is crucial to achieving the vibrant region envisioned in MetroFuture. Each of the 65 MetroFuture goals is supported by a set of more specific, and largely numeric, objectives. As many objectives as possible are tied to indicators, which are regularly collected data points that form the basis of our analysis. For example: MetroFuture Goal #29: More workers will graduate from high school and go on to college or career training opportunities. Objective:

Objective:

Objective:

Objective: 91% of all

98% of 25

90% of

Only 10% of

working-age adults

-34 year olds

high school

graduates

(ages 25-65) will

will have a

graduates will

from public

have a high

high school

go on to 2- or

high schools

school diploma or

diploma or

4-year college

will need to

equivalent, up from

equivalent

(up from 79%

take remedial

90% today and 85%

(up from

today).

courses during

if current trends

91% today,

their first year

continue.

and 89% if

of college

Current Trends

(down from

continue).

37% today). Indicator: Educational attainment rates

Key Findings

5

The MetroFuture plan includes hundreds of indicators, of which we chose the thirty that best tell the story of equity in the region. In addition, the indicators selected are updated regularly and cover the entire region in detail, making them benchmarks we can revisit in years to come to track our progress. To add greater depth to each indicator, we “slice” the data in several ways. For example, we look at the data by race/ethnicity and/or by geography, comparing results across municipalities or census tracts, or occasionally comparing the region as a whole to other regions. Other “slices” you will see regularly in our data are gender, age, and income, although they are not the only ones we use. This enables us to look at each indicator from a variety of perspectives. The indicators we address in this report do not simply stand on their own. Conditions described by each indicator can interact with or exacerbate conditions described by others. The reader will notice that some geographic areas suffer from negative outcomes across a variety of indicators, as do some racial or ethnic groups. The overlay of concentrated poverty with racial/ethnic segregation can worsen the challenges created by each. For that reason, it is important to take a look across the indicators in the report as a whole. On the following pages, you will see a list of theDemographics equity-related indicators we Demographics have measured and will revisit regularly moving forward. For each indicator, we Demographics Economy its Economy summarize key findings andDemographics provide an icon indicating topic area. The icons, Demographics listed in the key below, will enable those interested in learning more to findEducation each Economy Demographics EducationEconomy Demographics indicator easily on the regional indicators website. Economy Demographics Demographics Economy

Education Economy

Education

Demographics Economy Demographics Environment & Recreation Housing Environment Education

Education Environment & Recreation

Economy Demographics Regional Indicators Issue Areas DemographicsEducationEconomy Housing Environment & Recreation

Housing Environment Public Health

De

Ec

Environment

Education Economy Housing

Ed

Environment & Recreation Education Public Health

En

Education Environment & Recreation Housing Environment Public Health Public Safety Public Safety

Economy Housing

Education Economy Public Health Housing

Education Public Health

Environment & Recreation Housing Environment Education Public Safety Public Safety Public Health Transportation

Housing Environment Public Health Housing Environment & Recreation Transportation Transportation Public Safety Public Safety Civic Vitality

Ho

Public Health Housing Transportation

Pu

Public Safety Public Health Civic Vitality

Pu

Tra

Housing Transportation

Public Health Public Health Public Safety Housing Civic Vitality Civic Vitality References Transportation

Transportation Public Safety References

Public Health Civic Vitality

Public Safety Public Safety Public Health Transportation References ReferencesCivic Vitality

Civic Vitality Transportation

Public Safety References

Transportation Transportation Public Safety Civic Vitality References

References Civic Vitality FINAL

FINAL

Civ

Re

6

State of Equity in Metro Boston Indicators Report

ISSUE AREA

Demographics Economy

Demographics

INDICATOR

KEY FINDING

Economy Education

Education

Inequity Across the Region

Environment & Recreation

Dissimilarity Index – segregation

Housing

Public Health Public Safety Transportation Civic Vitality Demographics References

Household Income

Economy

Education

Environment

Over 60% of Black/African American residents of Metro Boston would have to move to a new neighborhood to achieve complete integration Public Health with Whites. Housing

Public Safety

Roughly 60% of all Latino residents of Metro Boston would have to move to a new in order to achieve complete Civicneighborhood Vitality integration with Whites. Transportation

Demographics References

The richest fifth of the population earns, on FINAL average, more than 10 times the income of the poorest fifth. Education Economy

Environment & Recreation

Environment There is

Demographics Housing

Demographics Housing

Gini Coefficient of Income Inequality

a more than twofold gap between median White and Latino household incomes. Incomes are distributed less equitably in Metro Boston than in 85% of the metro areas in the US.

Economy Public Health

Economy Public Health

Demographics Education Public Safety

Demographics Education Public Safety

Economy Environment Recreation Transportation of Family&Income

Economy Environment Transportation twice as

Education Housing Civic Vitality

Housing Civic Vitality

Tax Burden as a Percent

Massachusetts’ poorest families pay more than much of their income on taxes as do the Commonwealth’s richest families. Education

Environment & Recreation Public Health References

Environment Public Health References

Housing Public Safety

Housing Public Safety

Public Health Transportation

Public Health Transportation

Public Safety Civic Vitality

Public Safety Civic Vitality

Transportation References

Transportation References

Civic Vitality

Civic Vitality

References

References

FINAL

FINAL

FINAL

Key Findings

Demographics

ISSUE Economy AREA

Demographics

INDICATOR

Education

Education

Demographics Environment & Recreation

Demographics Environment

Economy Housing

KEY FINDING

Economy

Inequity Impacts Children Economy

Low Birth Weight Education Public Health Environment Public Safety & Recreation Demographics Housing Transportation

Housing

A Black/African Education Public Health

American woman with a college degree is more likely to have an underweight Environment baby than is a White woman with a high school Public Safety education. Demographics Housing Transportation

Economy Youth Asthma Public Health Civic Vitality

Economy Black/African Public Health Civic Vitality

Education Public Safety References Open Space per 1,000 Demographics Environment & Recreation Transportation Residents Economy Housing Civic Vitality

Education Public Safety References Inner Core communities and Regional Demographics Environment Transportation Urban Centers have less open space in their FINAL Economy neighborhoods (per capita) than do suburban Housing Civic Vitality

Education Public Health References

Education Public Health References

Environment Public Safety & Recreation

Environment Public Safety

Hospitalization Rate

Distance to the Nearest Open Space

Demographics Housing Transportation Economy Public Health Civic Vitality

Attendance of High-

American youth are hospitalized for asthma at over five times the rate of White youth.

communities.

Much of the Inner Core, many Regional Urban Centers, and FINAL some Maturing Suburbs offer Demographics residents open space resources within walking or Housing Transportation biking distance. Economy Public Health Civic Vitality

Nearly three quarters of Black/African American students attend high-poverty schools, while just over 10% of Whites do. Environment Transportation

Education Public Safety References Demographics Poverty Schools

Education Public Safety References Demographics and Latino

Environment & Recreation Transportation Economy

Economy

Housing 3rdVitality Grade Civic Education

English Language Arts MCAS Public Health References Scores & Recreation Environment

Housing gap of CivicAVitality Education

Public Safety Housing

Public Safety Housing

Transportation Public Health

Transportation Public Health

Civic Vitality Public Safety

Civic Vitality Public Safety

References Transportation

References Transportation

Civic Vitality

Civic Vitality

References

References

FINAL

nearly 40 percentage points separates White and Black/African American children in third Public Health References grade reading proficiency rates. Environment FINAL

FINAL

FINAL

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8

State of Equity in Metro Boston Indicators Report

ISSUE AREA

INDICATOR

KEY FINDING

Demographics Economy

Demographics

Inequity Impacts Teenagers Economy

10th Grade Math MCAS Scores

Education

Demographics Environment & Recreation Economy Housing

White and Asian 10th graders score “proficient” or “advanced” on the math MCAS at rates nearly Demographics double those of Latinos and Blacks/African Environment Americans. Education

Economy Housing

High School Graduation Rates

Education Public Health

Environment Public Safety & Recreation Housing Transportation

Greater Boston suffers from dramatic disparities in graduation rates by school district, with rates ranging Environment Public Safety from 54% in Chelsea to 98-100% in many other districts. Education Public Health

Housing Transportation

More than 90% of the region’s White and Asian graduate in four years, while slightly Demographics more than 70% of Black/African American and 75% Public Safety References of Latino students do. Public Health Civicstudents Vitality

Public Health Civic Vitality Demographics Public Safety References Economy Demographics Transportation

High School Dropout Education Economy Civic Vitality Demographics Rates

Economy Demographics Transportation

FINAL

Environment & Recreation Education References Economy

Dropout rates for Blacks/African Americans and Education Economy CivicLatinos Vitality in the region are at least three times as Demographics high as those for Whites and Asians. Environment Education

Housing Exclusionary Discipline Environment & Recreation Education

Housing Predominantly White Environment Education FINAL

Rates

Public Health Housing Environment & Recreation Demographics Public Safety Public Health Housing Economy Violent Crime Transportation Public Public Safety Health

References Economy

school districts have an outof-school suspension rate of about 4%, while more Public Health Housing diverse districts have out-of-school suspension Environment rates of nearly 15%. Demographics Public Safety Public Health Housing

Rates

Economy Boston, Chelsea, and Lynn experience, on average, Transportation Public Public Safety Health

five violent crimes per 1,000 residents, while many

Education Civic Vitality Demographics Transportation Public Safety

Education Civic Vitality Demographics suburban municipalities suffer fewer than 1.5 crimes Transportation Public Safety

Environment & Recreation References Economy Civic Vitality Transportation

Environment References Economy Civic Vitality Transportation

Public Health & Recreation Graduation Environment References

Public Health than a quarter of students in more diverse districts Environment FINAL References

High School Students’ Housing Education References Civic Vitality Plans for After Public Safety Housing

Young adults’ access to MBTA transit

per 1,000 residents.

A third of students in predominantly White districts Housing Education FINAL References Civicplan Vitality to attend a 4-year public college, while less have the same plan.

Public Safety Housing

FINAL

Civic Vitality Public Safety

Well over three quarters of the areas with high concentrations of teens and young adults (25% or Civicmore), Vitality Public Safetyare within a quarter mile of MBTA transit.

References Transportation

References Transportation

Civic Vitality

Civic Vitality

References

References

Transportation Public Health

Transportation Public Health

FINAL

FINAL

Key Findings

ISSUE AREA

INDICATOR

KEY FINDING

Demographics

Demographics

Inequity Impacts Adults

Economy

Economy

Educational Attainment Rates

While fewer than 10% of Whites lack a high school diploma, roughly 35% of Latinos have not completed high school. Environment

Education

Education

Environment & Recreation Demographics

Demographics

Housing Labor Force Economy

Rates

Participation Housing While only 65% of those lacking a high school Economy degree are active in the labor force, 88% of those Public Health with a bachelor’s degree are. Education

Public Health Education Demographics Public Safety Environment & Recreation Poverty Rates Economy Transportation Housing Education Demographics Civic Vitality Public Health Environment & Recreation Economy References Public Safety Housing Education Demographics Transportation Public Health & Recreation Environment Economy Civic Vitality Housing Public Safety Affordability Demographics Housing Education References Transportation Economy Public Health Environment & Recreation Civic Vitality Education Public Safety Cost Housing Housing Demographics

Burden

Demographics Public Safety Environment Nearly 25% of Latinos, nearly 20% of Blacks/African Economy Americans, and over 15% of Asians in our region Transportation Housing live in poverty compared to 6% of Whites Education Demographics Civic Vitality Public Health Environment While fewer than 10% of families overall earn less Economy References than 130% of the poverty line, more than 25% of Public Safety Housing Education female-headed households with no spouse present Demographics FINAL Transportation earn less than that amount. Public Health Environment Economy Civic Vitality Over 60% of the poorest households are living in Public Safety Demographics Housing Education unaffordable housing, defined as housing that References Transportation costs more than 30% of gross household income. Economy Public Health Environment FINAL Civic Vitality Education Public Safetyhalf of the renters in Massachusetts pay About Housing Demographics

more than 30% of their income on rent.

References Environment & Recreation Transportation Public Health Economy

References Environment Transportation Public Health Economy

Housing Civic Vitality Demographics Public Safety Education

Housing Civic Vitality Demographics Public Education ofSafety Roxbury

Public Health References Economy Transportation Environment & Recreation

Economy Transportation Environment

Foreclosure Rates

Foreclosure rates FINAL were 10% or higher within parts and the South End between January 2007 and June 2008. Public Health References

Public Safety Home Loan Education Civic Vitality Housing Demographics

Safety FINAL Denial Rates Public InVitality many low-income Boston neighborhoods, as Education Civic Housing Demographics well as Randolph, Rockland, and Chelsea, more Transportation Transportation Environment Environment & Recreation References References than 40% of high-income buyers are unable to get Public Health Public Health Economy Economy Civic Vitality Civicloans Vitalityfor home purchases. Housing Public Safety Education

Housing Public Safety Education

Public Safety Civic Vitality Housing

the rate Public Safety Civic Vitality Housing

Transportation Hospitalizations References Public Health

Transportation The rate References Public Health

References Premature Mortality Public Health Transportation Environment & Recreation Rates

due to High Blood Pressure

FINAL

References Blacks/African Americans die prematurely at three Public Health Transportation Environment times the rate of Asians and one and a half times

FINAL of Whites.

Civic Vitality Public Safety

of hospitalization for hypertension is more than seven times as high for Inner Core Blacks/ Civic Vitality FINAL as it is for suburban Whites. African Public Safety Americans

References Transportation

References Transportation

Civic Vitality

Civic Vitality

FINAL

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10

Demographics State of Demographics Equity in Metro Boston Indicators Report Economy

Economy

Education

Education

ISSUE Demographics EnvironmentINDICATOR & Recreation AREA

Demographics Environment

Economy Housing

Economy Housing

Education Public Health

Education Public Health

Environment Public Safety & Recreation

Inequity Impacts Seniors Environment

Transit and Housing Transportation

Sidewalk Access for Seniors

Public Health Civic Vitality Public Safety References

Transportation Services for Seniors

Transportation Civic Vitality References Demographics

Poverty Rates for Seniors

Economy

Education Demographics Environment & Recreation Economy Housing Education Public Health Environment & Recreation Public Safety

Dissimilarity Index for

Housing Transportation Nursing Homes Public Health Civic Vitality Public Safety References

KEY FINDING

Public Safety

The concentration Housing Transportation

of seniors is over twice as high in sections of Framingham and Weymouth as it is Public Health the region overall, yet these areas offer seniors Civicin Vitality limited transportation options. Public Safety References

Most of the communities offering multiple FINAL paratransit options for seniors already have or commuter rail access, whereas the Civictrain Vitality municipalities with only 1 or 2 shuttles tend to References be farther from the city where such services are needed most. Transportation

Demographics

FINAL

Nearly 35% of Latino households headed by a senior bring in less than $10,000 per year, while just under 8% of White households are in this Education lowest income category. Demographics Economy

Environment

14% Economy Housing

of grandparents who are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren live in poverty Education compared with rates of only 9% of the region’s Public Health residents overall. Environment Public Safety

About 65% of Black/African American nursing would have to move to a new facility Public Health in order to achieve integration with White Civic Vitality nursing home residents. Housing Transportation home residents

Public Safety References

Transportation

Transportation

Civic Vitality

Civic Vitality

References

References

FINAL

FINAL

11

United We Stand... Or Divided We Fall Persistent inequality is bad for all of us. Societies with large gaps between the rich and the poor struggle more with social ills — like crime and poor health — than do their more equal counterparts. And while it is a new field of research, academics are starting to examine the impact that inequality and segregation have on economic growth. Early studies have shown that there is a correlation between equity and economic growth, and that reductions in poverty in central cities can correspond with stronger regional economic growth.2 So, as we work towards the MetroFuture goals for a healthy, secure, and prosperous future for Metro Boston, we must incorporate equity at the heart of that work. We do this not only because it is a fundamental value of our society, but also because our future stability and prosperity as a region depend on it.

About this report The State of Equity in Metro Boston is made up of three complementary products: State of Equity in Metro Boston I N D I C AT O R S R E P O R T

The State of Equity in Metro Boston is the first in a series of indicator reports that will monitor the region’s progress towards achieving goals set out by the MetroFuture plan. The regional indicators website provides data on the key findings presented in this report, and many other indicators, in an interactive, dynamic format.

The policy report will identify key policy and programmatic recommendations to “bend the trends” towards greater regional equity. MAPC will reach out to a wide variety of stakeholders in translating our data findings to policy; stay in touch to learn more.

Learn more About the data behind the indicators — www.regionalindicators.org/equity About the MetroFuture plan — www.metrofuture.org About MAPC and its work — www.mapc.org

We credit King County, Washington with this definition of equity. It can be found online at www.kingcounty.gov/exec/equity.aspx. For a summary of the early research in this field, see the PolicyLink and Center for American Progress report “Prosperity 2050: Is Equity the Superior Growth Model,” at http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/04/pdf/prosperity_2050.pdf

1 2

www.mapc.org

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is a regional planning agency serving the people who live and work in Metropolitan Boston. Our mission is to promote smart growth and regional collaboration, which includes protecting the environment, supporting economic development, encouraging sustainable land use, improving transportation, bolstering affordable housing, ensuring public safety, advancing equity and opportunity among people of all backgrounds, and fostering collaboration among municipalities.