AT A GLANCE

District 7

District 7 is a vibrant and diverse community full of cultural richness, creativity and community activism. It includes Roxbury, and parts of Dorchester, the South End, and the Fenway, each made up of many neighborhoods, each with its own story and spirit. Known for its deep history, District 7 is where community power has always led the way.

D7 Demographics

American Indian, Alaska Native 1%

Note: Percentages shown reflect how racial and ethnic groups are categorized in available data. Actual numbers may vary slightly due to overlapping identities and differences in how individuals are reported (e.g., some may report as Black Hispanic)

Source :  Sharma, Ishanay. District 7 Team A Dashboard. Tableau Public, 2022

Home to over 75,000 residents, District 7 is a rich social fabric that includes Black, White, Cape Verdean, Caribbean, Latino, and Asian communities.

D7 Residents by Age

31%

Young Adults (18-24)

compared to 18% citywide

Seniors (60+)

16%

15%

Source :  Boston Planning & Development Agency, Research Division. MyDemographic Viewer: 2024 Estimates. City of Boston, 2024.

Children (Under 18)

Economic Indicators

Poverty rate of 34% in Boston's District 7

D7 Poverty Rate

compared to 18% citywide

Roxbury Median Individual Income*

$34K

compared to $71K median income in greater Boston

Roxbury Home Ownership*

Home Ownership 26% in Boston's District 7

compared to 20% in District 7 & 30% citywide

*Roxbury is the district's largest neighborhood and used here as a proxy for the district.

Source : City of Boston. Order for a Hearing to Discuss a Holistic Vision for District Seven in Order to Redress Historic Racial Harm and to Uphold District Seven Constituents’ Civil Rights. 11 Oct. 2024  and Boston Planning & Development Agency, Research Division. MyDemographic Viewer: 2024 Estimates. City of Boston, 2024.

D7 Commutes

32%

Primarily take public transit to work

compared to 26% citywide

28%

Rely on driving to work

15%

Walk to their workplaces

Source :  Boston Planning & Development Agency, Research Division. MyDemographic Viewer: 2024 Estimates. City of Boston, 2024.

Our Strength & Resilience

District 7 is young, diverse and deeply rooted in immigrant and working-class communities. Many neighborhoods, especially Roxbury, are majority Black, with growing Latino, Caribbean, and other immigrant populations. As a historically marginalized district, we’ve faced challenges like disinvestment, illegal dumping and poverty, but we’ve also shown resilience, pride and the power of organizing for change.

Community Land Trusts

Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) created one of the first urban community land trusts in the U.S., allowing residents to control land use and preserve affordable housing that has become a national model for community-led development. Samuel currently serves as a member on the DSNI board.

Food & Environmental Justice

Urban agriculture efforts like The Food Project, Dudley Greenhouse, and community gardens have strengthened food access, youth employment, and land stewardship. Residents have also pushed for clean air, better transit, and green space development including organizing around Franklin Park preservation.

Cultural & Arts Leadership

Creative power flows through every corner of District 7. From towering murals to bold graffiti, our streets are a living gallery that spark pride and tell our stories. This neighborhood has launched poets, musicians, dancers, and visual artists who turn struggle into inspiration. It's also home to cultural hubs like Hibernian Hall and Haley House, where art and community thrive.

The Fun Stuff

Despite the challenges it has faced, the district has nurtured the beats, voices, and visions that have shaped Boston and reached far beyond it. Here are a few fun facts!

Donna Summer Was Born in Roxbury

The "Queen of Disco" grew up right here in District 7. Before topping global charts with hits like "Hot Stuff" and "Last Dance," Donna Summer sang in church choirs and walked the same streets as many Roxbury residents today.
The Shirley-Eustis House is one of the last standing Colonial Governor's mansion in the US.

Built in the 1740s for William Shirley, Royal Governor of Massachusetts, it's listed as part of the national registry that protects historic architecture and cultural landmarks - right here in our district!
District 7 Was a Hub of Boston's School Desegregation Activism

Roxbury played a key role in the fight for education equity during Boston's busing crisis. The legacy of grassroots organizing for fair schools still shapes the neighborhood's civic spirit today.
An Evolving Tapestry of Cultures

In the late 19th and 20th centuries, Roxbury, in particular, was a welcoming home to Jewish families relocating from Boston's North and South ends as well as Italian immigrants from southern Italy. While the neighborhood has continued to evolve, traces of these early Jewish and Italian roots can still be found today.
Wally's Jazz Club

Founded in 1947 by Barbadian immigrant Joseph L. ‘Wally’ Walcott, Wally’s is still family-owned and operated (redevelopment pushed it across the street in 1979), and it remains a vital link to our city’s jazz legacy and cultural heritage.goes here.