20-34 Year-Olds: Boston's Got the Most

Boston now leads the country with the highest proportion of 20-34 year-olds among the top 25 major U.S. cities, according to 2010 Census figures. 

Thirty-five percent (or 216,213) of the city's population falls between ages 20 and 34. This represents an 11 percent increase from 2000 Census figures and moves the city up from the number two spot, according to a press release from the mayor's office. 

Boston captured the top spot from Austin, Texas, which has 32 percent of its population in this age group, and now ranks number two. Washington, D.C. holds the third spot with 31 percent of its population between 20 and 34. 

“Boston continues to be an attractive city for this highly sought after age group,” Mayor Thomas M. Menino said in a prepared statement. “We’re proud that they call Boston home – they represent a large proportion of our knowledge-based workforce and their spending power is great for our economy.  We’ve been working hard to retain this group.  With the recent successes in our Innovation District, we’re continuing to build reasons for them to stay, and to attract more.”

The mayor argues that one reason for the city’s demographic shift is the ONEin3 Boston program, which Menino launched in 2004 to connect Boston’s young adults with resources related to home buying, business development, professional networking and civic engagement.