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.

We credit King County, Washington with this definition of equity.

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 State of Equity Indicators report, funded by the Barr Foundation is the first report in MAPC's Regional Indicators program. This report establishes a baseline for our equity-related indicators and will track the region's progress towards the MetroFuture goals. Click the preview to the right to view the report full-screen. You can also download (due to large file size it's recommended to right-click on the link and choose to download the file directly to your computer):
12-page executive summary (6 MB)(pdf)
Full report: for web viewing (11 MB) (pdf).
Full report: for printing (16 MB) (pdf).

Thanks to the over 200 of you who joined MAPC at the report's formal release at Harvard Law School on December 13, 2011. The event featured remarks by David Harris, Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice at Harvard Law, and Mary Skelton-Roberts, Senior Program Officer at the Barr Foundation. Six respondents, including officials from HUD and Governor Patrick’s Administration provided insightful responses to a presentation of the data included in the report. To download a copy of the presentation, click here.

The policy report will be released later in 2011 and 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. Click here to view the MetroFuture equity-related recommendations for policy and program change.

We are Becoming More Diverse

Metro Boston Population By Race/Ethnicity, 2009

Metro Boston is changing. The face of the region in 2030 will look substantially different than it does now.

We are Becoming Less Equal

The Richest 5th of the Population Earns More than 10 Times that of the Poorest 5th

Segregation not only harms individuals but also hinders Metro Boston's potential for equitable growth and prosperity.

Inequity Impacts Us at Each Stage of Our Lives

CHILDREN as they try to grow up healthy, learn, and play.

Minorities, Less than Age 14 as Percentage of Total Population, 2005-2009

White children and children of color rarely grow up side-by-side in Metro Boston.

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

High School Dropout Rates 2009

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

ADULTS as they try to make a good living, build a home, and stay healthy

Median Housing Costs Burden for Massachusetts Renters and Owners

About half of all renters in the region are cost-burdened by housing.

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

Metro Boston Grandparents Responsible for Grandchildren, by Poverty Status, 2009

Grandparents raising grandchildren are especially impacted by poverty.