Mattapan City is a diverse city in Massachusetts. The majority of its residents are African Americans and Haitians, and the city is home to the largest Haitian population in Massachusetts. The city has an average age of 34 and a high percentage of foreign-born residents. Its median household income is $44,744, and the area is home to approximately 12,345 residents per square mile.
The most dramatic change in ethnic makeup occurred in the area from the late 1960s through the 1970s. Hillel Levine and Lawrence Harmon, authors of The Death of an American Jewish Community, argue that the proliferation of blockbusting and redlining policies led to the exodus of the Jewish community from Mattapan. They also hold Boston Banks Urban Renewal Group partially responsible for the deterioration of the Blue Hill Avenue corridor.
The MBTA has approved a 23 percent fare hike in April 2012, and announced modest service cuts, including a reduction in service frequency on Saturdays and Sundays. The agency has also finalized its list of recommendations, which is contained in this report. The agency's travel demand model uses a sophisticated statistical tool to predict future ridership, travel times, and air quality impacts.