These initial findings examined the inequities that exist among different age groups, ethnic and minority groups, income groups and geographic areas, deeply affecting the lives of people across our region.

1. What is the State of Equity
in Metro Boston?
an equitable region, where “all people have full and equal access to opportunities
that enable them to attain their full potential” is one featuring a diverse labor force
prepared for the region’s knowledge economy; healthy residents and low health
care costs; and communities where people of different ages, incomes, races and
ethnicities have real options to live, work, learn and play side by side. metrofuture,
the region’s plan for growth through the year 2030, 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.
The MetroFuture region is one where:
• A wider diversity of housing types are built in all of the region’s communities (Goal #16), helping to combat racial/
ethnic and income-based segregation (Goal #15),
• Historically disadvantaged communities are healthier, with increased access to healthy food (Goal #24), green space
(Goal #23), better air quality (Goal #22) and medical care (Goal #26),
• healthy and convenient transportation options are available throughout the region, particularly in traditionally under-
served areas (Goal #44).
• All of the region’s residents are equipped with all of the tools they need to succeed in today’s economy (Goal #29), and
resources for small businesses and first-time homeowners will help many build wealth for future generations (Goal #38).
The State of Equity is the first report in MAPC’s Regional Indicators program, which establishes a baseline for our
equity-related indicators and will track the region’s progress towards its goals. The full report, along with policy
recommendations and a website, will be released later in 2011. This handout contains the report’s preliminary findings.
Demography is Destiny DiviDeD we fall
Metro Boston is changing. Inequitable income distribution and highly segregated
residential patterns not only harm individuals
These demographic trends will have huge impacts on
throughout their lives, but hinder Metro Boston’s
the region in decades to come, and the face of the
potential for equitable growth and prosperity. They
region in 2030 will look substantially different than it
are also systematic factors that underpin or exacerbate
did in 2010.
many of the other findings in this report.
the youngest among the region is income inequality is the region our regressive tax
our population
us are our most increasingly high in metro Boston, is highly structure worsens income
is aging
diverse residents foreign-born and it’s growing segregated inequality
We credit King County, Washington, a pioneer in integrating the social justice and equity perspective into a government agency’s work, with this definition.
1
www.mapc.org • Metropolitan Area Planning Council • www.metrofuture.org

2. ...YOUNG ADULTS, as they try to learn,
stay safe and establish independence. Inequity Impacts Us All... ...CHILDREN, as they try to grow up
healthy, learn, and play.
10th Grade Math MCAS Scores, 2009 - 2010
MAPC
...SENIORS, as they try to remain active,
100%
Percent Proficient or Advanced
90%
80% retire comfortably, and stay connected.
70%
60%
50% Metro Boston Grandparents Responsible for Grandchildren,
Below the Poverty Line, 2009
40%
20%
30%
18%
20%
16%
10%
0% 14%
Latino-Hispanic Black/African White Asian 12%
American
10%
Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 2009-10. Average
8% percent
below poverty
6% line across all
African American and Latino teens enter 4% family types
the workforce less prepared for the region’s 2%
(9.3%)
White children and children of color rarely
grow up side-by-side in MetroBoston.
knowledge economy. 0%
Not responsible for Responsible for
grandchildren grandchildren
Source: ACS 2009, 1-year MSA, data.
High School Dropout Rates, 2009
25%
Grandparents raising grandchildren are
Statewide
Dropout
20%
Rate
MAPC
especially impacted by poverty.
Dropout
15% Rate
March 1
10%
5%
...ADULTS, as they try to make a good
0% living, build a home, and stay healthy.
All students Black/African White Asian Latino/Hispanic
American
Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 2009. Indicates the percentage of students in grades 9-12 who
dropped out of school between July 1 and June 30 prior to the listed year and who did not return to school by the following October 1.
Dropouts are defined as students who leave school prior to graduation for reasons other than transfer to another school.
About half of all renters in the region are Health disparities result in high hospital-
cost-burdened by housing. ization rates for some minority groups.
Median Housing Cost Burden for Age Adjusted Rate of Hospitalizations due to Hypertension
Massachusetts Renters and Owners
250
35% Black, Non-Hispanic
Hospitalizations per 100,000 people
Median of gross
rent as a
30% 200
percentage of Hispanic
household income
25%
150 Asian / Pacific
20% Islander, Non-Hispanic
Median of selected
15% monthly owner White, Non-Hispanic
costs as a 100
percentage of
10% household income MAPC Average
5%
The foreclosure crisis hit urban and 50
0%
minority neighborhoods first and hardest. 31.98
0
1999 2009
MAPC Massachusetts Total
Source: Census 2000 and ACS 2009 1-year estimate data. Black bars indicate a 90% confidence interval
Note: Black bars indicate a 95% confidence interval. Source: MassCHIP, Massachusetts DPH, 2003-2008
March 1, 2011