Introduction
A city’s statistics can tell much information about it, especially if done in comparison. A chronological contrast reveals various changes or potential stagnations while comparing two metropolises can assist in choosing where to move in. Boston and Memphis are the cities with a similar population but different histories and geographical positions, which could have affected other aspects of life. This essay will focus on discovering similar and different features of the two municipalities in the 1950s and 2010s.
Main body
A city’s population is an important statistic that shows its people and suggests their circumstances. As of 2010, 617,000 people lived in Boston, while Memphis had approximately 647,000 citizens (“Quickfacts,” 2019). In 1950, Boston had a population of 801,000 people, and Memphis had 396,000 residents (“Census of population and housing,” 2018). Older people comprised 11% of Boston’s population and 12% of Memphis’s in 2010, while teenagers below 18 were 16% and 25%, respectively (“Quickfacts,” 2019). As of 1950, the numbers were lower, with older people constituting 6% of Memphis’s population and 10% of Boston’s (“Census of population and housing,” 2018). Meanwhile, the median age was about 30 years in both cities (“Census of population and housing,” 2018). Boston had a predominantly White population in 2010, with the Black, Hispanic, and Asian populace also being prominent, while Memphis had a mainly Black population (“Quickfacts,” 2019). In 1950, 37% of Memphis’s population was non-white, while Boston had about 2% (“Census of population and housing,” 2018). Thus, Boston seems to be more racially diverse than Memphis nowadays.
The racial composition may impact other aspects of a city’s statistics. Memphis’s poverty rate in 2010 was about 27%, while Boston’s was 20% (“Quickfacts,” 2019). For 1950, it was 43% in Memphis and 30% in Boston (“Census of population and housing,” 2018). The 2010s median rental was $884 for Memphis and $1,539 for Boston; the housing cost was $97,000 and $487,300, respectively (“Quickfacts,” 2019). In 1950, the rent was $33 in Memphis and $52 in Boston, with housing being about $8,000 and $10,000 (“Census of population and housing,” 2018). As of the 2010s, Memphis was more racially segregated than Boston, while both could have a high segregation rate in 1950 (Williams & Emamdjomeh, 2018). The average education level in both cities was elevated in 2010, although Boston had more bachelor degree holders (“Quickfacts,” 2019). The appropriate statistic from 1950 was the median school years completed, 9.5 for Memphis and 12 for Boston (“Census of population and housing,” 2018). Generally, Memphis’s historical significance of the Black population could explain other demographical factors.
A city’s industry plays a vital role in its economy, infrastructure, and employment. As of 2010, Boston and Memphis had business as the main sphere, and their respective websites focus on providing jobs there (“Doing business with the city,” 2020; “Starting a business,” 2019). In 1950, about one-third of Boston’s working population was involved in manufacturing, 10% in retail, and construction, together with finance, comprised 6% both (“Census of population and housing,” 2018). Memphis had a similar distribution, with 20% being employed in manufacturing, 12,5% in retail, and 7% in construction (“Census of population and housing,” 2018). Overall, both cities have similar major industries in the past and the present.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Boston and Memphis have many similarities in both periods, particularly in their economy and demographics, but they also possess several differences, including racial distribution. Boston’s population declined while Memphis’s kept increasing, potentially due to its attractiveness to the Black citizens. The abolishment of the segregation laws following the 1960s Civil Rights Act also could have contributed to the city’s prosperity. Meanwhile, Boston probably had other competitors with better conditions and lower cost of living, which led to its decline in population. Altogether, both cities have something to offer to various demographic groups.
References
Census of population and housing. (2018). Web.
Doing business with the city. (2020). Web.
QuickFacts. (2019).
Starting a business. (2019).
Williams, A., & Emamdjomeh, A. (2018). America is more diverse than ever — but still segregated. Web.