The Era of Revitalization - Population
Figure 1: Demographics - A Boston Panorama
With the increase demand for manufacturing and home construction, this was the Post-World War II era of economic growth. After the end of World War II, the population of Boston peaked at 801,444 residents in 1950; however, during this era the national trend from suburbanization and reduction of industrial and manufactory jobs in the city led to a population decline from 801,444 to 562,994 over the thirty years period.[1]
The push toward increase opportunities for single-family homes with open spaces with better public school systems and decrease in civil services, crime protections, and racial tensions drew many Bostonians away from the city. On top of the decline in city services and protections, the substantial highway system and impressively subsidized mortgage rates allowed many aspiring families to incline upon these push and full factors – reduction in civil services and public protection versus affordable homes and accessibility to the city of suburban life.[1]
As the city diminished, suburbs became the new motive for expansion and development. The rapid expansion was catalyzed by the highway construction and the large demand in homes for new families to live in the suburbs. A classic example was the sleepy town of Randolph with a population initially comprised of less than 10,000 people, tripled to 30,000 residents in this era.[1] The ethnicity was diverse and composed mostly of Jewish and Irish families within these suburban communities.
The majority of the people who had left Boston during this time were Caucasian Americans – with a rough approximation of 200,000 people. During the 1950s, the Jewish population witnessed a population decline due to the outlaw of immigration set during 1924, causing a population withdrawal by approximately 60,000 individuals.[1, 2] It was not until the Immigration Act of 1965 that opened the borders to the country, even with the act, Boston was not among the desirable cities seen by many immigrants. Although many did not perceive Boston as a favorable city, America’s second great migration contributed to thousands of Puerto Ricans and African Americans to Boston. With the initial empty job positions filled by these new foreign immigrants, the population increased to match with the initially decline of foreign born in a range of 60,000 people each.[2]
Suburbanization led to a disinvestment of urbanization; the city failed to offer adequate civil services and public protections. Crime and arson activities became out of control occurring in neighborhoods and downtown Boston – such as the notoriously dangerous Combat Zone located in the red light district.[2] The white middle class abandoned neighborhood areas around downtown in response to the more safe and sheltered lifestyle suburban homes had to offer.
The role of suburbanization pushed many Bostonians away from the city. The lack of civil services provided by the city triggered residents to move out into the suburbs. The waves of immigration greatly influenced the availability of job opportunities and led to a population increase for the city, which leveled the emptied sites prior to suburbanization.
References:
1. Boston’s people and economy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cityofboston.gov/TridionImages/10 Boston's People and Economy_tcm1-3886.pdf
2. Puleo, S. (2010). A city so grand: The rise of an American metropolis. Boston: Beacon Press.
The push toward increase opportunities for single-family homes with open spaces with better public school systems and decrease in civil services, crime protections, and racial tensions drew many Bostonians away from the city. On top of the decline in city services and protections, the substantial highway system and impressively subsidized mortgage rates allowed many aspiring families to incline upon these push and full factors – reduction in civil services and public protection versus affordable homes and accessibility to the city of suburban life.[1]
As the city diminished, suburbs became the new motive for expansion and development. The rapid expansion was catalyzed by the highway construction and the large demand in homes for new families to live in the suburbs. A classic example was the sleepy town of Randolph with a population initially comprised of less than 10,000 people, tripled to 30,000 residents in this era.[1] The ethnicity was diverse and composed mostly of Jewish and Irish families within these suburban communities.
The majority of the people who had left Boston during this time were Caucasian Americans – with a rough approximation of 200,000 people. During the 1950s, the Jewish population witnessed a population decline due to the outlaw of immigration set during 1924, causing a population withdrawal by approximately 60,000 individuals.[1, 2] It was not until the Immigration Act of 1965 that opened the borders to the country, even with the act, Boston was not among the desirable cities seen by many immigrants. Although many did not perceive Boston as a favorable city, America’s second great migration contributed to thousands of Puerto Ricans and African Americans to Boston. With the initial empty job positions filled by these new foreign immigrants, the population increased to match with the initially decline of foreign born in a range of 60,000 people each.[2]
Suburbanization led to a disinvestment of urbanization; the city failed to offer adequate civil services and public protections. Crime and arson activities became out of control occurring in neighborhoods and downtown Boston – such as the notoriously dangerous Combat Zone located in the red light district.[2] The white middle class abandoned neighborhood areas around downtown in response to the more safe and sheltered lifestyle suburban homes had to offer.
The role of suburbanization pushed many Bostonians away from the city. The lack of civil services provided by the city triggered residents to move out into the suburbs. The waves of immigration greatly influenced the availability of job opportunities and led to a population increase for the city, which leveled the emptied sites prior to suburbanization.
References:
1. Boston’s people and economy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cityofboston.gov/TridionImages/10 Boston's People and Economy_tcm1-3886.pdf
2. Puleo, S. (2010). A city so grand: The rise of an American metropolis. Boston: Beacon Press.