The City of Somerville's Key Systems Indicators

Economic Growth

Commercial property value increased by 2% between FY2014 and FY2015, and residential property value grew by nearly 13%. Commercial properties account for over 15% of all property value in the city.

Employment

Somerville's unemployment rate is consistently below the Massachusetts and national rates, and the spread has increased over time. The number of jobs in Somerville has more than recovered after falling during the recession. Weekly wages are also on the rise.



Education

Somerville residents have high levels of educational attainment compared to their counterparts in Massachusetts and the U.S. Indeed, a remarkable 60 percent have a college degree or more.

Commuting

Over 80 percent of Somerville residents with jobs do not work in Somerville, a much higher proportion than in Cambridge, Boston, Massachusetts, or the U.S. Nonetheless, Somerville commuters spend approximately the same time traveling to work as their counterparts in Somerville's neighboring communities as well as the state and country as a whole.



This map shows the condition of Somerville's streets as of 2014, the most recent period for which reliable data is available. Despite dwindling funding from the State, the City is committed to maintaining its infrastructure. Dark blue means higher PCI, or 'Pavement Condition Index,' a score from 0 to 100, and light blue / yellow means lower



Somerville commuters are far less likely to drive and far more likely to walk, bike, or take public transportation than their counterparts in Massachusetts and the U.S. In fact, Somerville has the 10th highest concentration of transit commuters among municipalities in the U.S.