Massachusetts State: Population, Rankings, and Facts

#3 in Overall Ranking out of 50 in 2021

The United States of America is one of the wealthiest places in the world. And Massachusetts is among the states that have more to offer. The education, health, and technology sectors are high, among other important metrics. The capital of Massachusetts is Boston, one of the wealthiest cities in the United States in the north (or even the world). Plus, its history and new cultural influences are crucial. Get to know more about this amazing land in 2021 below.

Updated: April 1, 2021
  • Area
    7,838 SQ. MI.
  • Capital
    Concord
  • Population
    6,892,503
  • Income
    $77,385
  • Home Value
    $474,673
  • Crime
    22,578
  • Unemployment
    8.4%
  • Education
    42.1%
  • Medicine
    2
  • Poverty
    9.9%
  • Environment
    42
  • Infrastructure
    15.4%

Massachusetts is a cultural and educational hub for the United States located in the North East (on the coast). For example, it has Harvard, the first university, and was founded by the Pilgrims of the Mayflower. Some people also claim that basketball was invented here. This shows the importance of sports in this state. The weather is also nice in 2021.

The name is derived from a Native American language that means “near hills.” With this, inhabitants know about the geography they are going to encounter. Although it originally depended on agriculture and fishing, now it has a lot more industry. Most of Massachusetts’s population work in the service industry, finance, and higher education. This shows that the Industrial Revolution had a significant impact in this region, even before the Revolution.

MA is also worldwide famous because of the Salem Witches. This was part of the mass hysteria regarding witches, where many women were burned because of witchcraft. Plus, it was one of the first states to advocate for the abolition of slavery. Today, it’s one of the richest areas in the United States of America. Boston is one of the largest cities in the U.S. by population.

How we Figured out Which Were the Best States to Live in

To gauge whether MA was the best state to live in or not, we took into account a number of metrics and stats. These include population density, income, education, crime rate, and others that also influence one’s quality of life.

To get all this official data, we contacted and used the U.S. Census Bureau, information by the Health Department, FBI reports, and other official documents and pages relevant to the case. Take a look at the complete profile below to decide whether this place is a good fit for the family or the individual.

Massachusetts Rankings

  • Population
    #15
    Population
    Data: 6,892,503

    This is not one of the most populated states in the country. Although it has a great quality of living, not so many American people own a home here. This happens because the cost of living is high, so those who don’t have a high wage cannot afford to be based in MA.

  • Median Income
    #29
    Income in $
    Data: $77,385

    The median income of inhabitants is above other rich places, following the latest census page. Though, the rate is low due to high taxes. Most of the population works in higher education industries and the heavy contact industry. There are a lot of billionaires living here, such as Abigail Johnson or Robert Kraft.

  • Home Value
    #3
    Home Value
    Data: $474,673

    The housing market situation is improving a lot here. In 2012, the value of a home was in the 280,000 brackets. Today, it’s almost double, and it’s expected to keep on growing. The most popular type of home for families is the ranch, while the bungalows and Victorian houses are also very accepted.

  • Unemployment Rate
    #46
    Unemployment
    Data: 8.4%

    Massachusetts' unemployment rate is very high according to the census page, though it has increased a bit with the coronavirus pandemic. To prevent the population from going into poverty (especially those without a degree), they can receive an unemployment benefit today. This amounts to 50% of their average wage.

  • Poverty
    #9
    Poverty
    Data: 9.9%

    In terms of the poverty rate, it is quite low. Only 9.9% of the population cannot afford a good standard of living out of their wages. These persons are usually single mothers without a university degree who cannot afford to support their children with minimum wages in the north or the south of the province. In these cases, the government provides them with new support in 2021.

  • Education
    #1
    Education
    Data: 42.1%

    With the most well-known institutions in the world, MA has the highest education ranking in the USA. Some of these reputable universities include Harvard, IMT, the University of Boston, and many others. This results in a high number of educated people.

  • Medicine
    #2
    Medicine
    Data: 2

    The rate of the uninsured populace in MA is also low. This accounts for the high purchasing power inhabitants have here. They have good jobs that pay for the cost of having private health insurance or having enough money to pay for it independently. This also results in lower prices on health as spent by the government.

  • Crime Rate
    #7
    Crime
    Violent Crime: 22,578

    The crime rate could be better, but it's not so bad, either. The state is in the top ten safest places in the U.S. For example, property crime is not that high compared to other regions, but aggravated assault and robbery are quite common. The cities with the worst rankings include Middleboro, Everett, and Haverhill.

  • Natural Environment
    #34
    Environment
    Drinking Water: 42

    In terms of breathable air and drinking water, the quality is decent but not great. Violations are high, especially when compared to other states like Idaho or Maine. Anyway, the water supplied by the local authority is safe to drink, though it may contain microplastics or have problems with old pipes.

  • Infrastructure
    #45
    Infrastructure
    Poor Roads: 15.40%

    Most cities, like Boston, are huge, so most residents own a car. As a result, roads are not in such a good state, though there is a great investment every year by the government. Bridges, in turn, are quite safe. The Sagamore and the Bridge of Flowers are some of the ones in better conditions.

Massachusetts Facts

  • The state motto is “Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem,” which means “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty,” which shows its connection with history both south and north of the United States.
  • MA has more than 536 zip codes.
  • The state flower is the Mayflower, the same name as the famous ship.
  • This state is home to Harvard University, the first institution of higher education in the whole country. 
  • One of the main legal holidays is Patriot’s Day. It remembers the first battle of the American Revolution. 
  • The income tax is at a flat rate of 5%, among the lowest of the country.The sales tax at 6.25% and property tax at 1.15% are high, considering other states.
  • The earliest human inhabitants in this area are from 3,000 years ago
  • The city of Boston was established in 1630 and has been the capital of the state since then.
  • The area was named by John Smith because of the Native American Tribe that lived here.
  • There are only 14 Massachusetts counties. Each county has its own government and institutions. 
  • The flag consists of a white field with a coat of arms and a star.

Massachusetts in Photos

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Massachusetts Embankment
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FAQ Section

  • What Time Zone Is Massachusetts in?

    This state is located in the UTC-5 (Eastern Standard Time zone). They also have Daylight Saving Time. That is, they move the time 60 minutes during the summer. People should consider this when dealing with time zones.

  • What Is the Minimum Wage in Massachusetts?

    The United States of America has a policy of minimum wage. This means that every job should pay a minimum amount so that workers can have a decent life, pay rent and bills, and have something to save. In the case of this state, the minimum wage is $12.75. Although it seems high, this is an expensive land to live in.

  • What Is the State Bird of MA?

    The state bird is the black-capped chickadee, also called Poecile Atricapillus. It was designated as such back in 1941. This was made as a tribute to the cranberry industry, one of the largest crops in the land of the state south and north of the Mississippi.

  • What Is Massachusetts Known for?

    It is well known for being one of the original 13 colonies. But, in addition to its rich history, this state has a lot of other things to do, such as:

    • Visiting the famous city of Springfield, the one that’s mentioned in The Simpsons.
    • Carry out outdoor activities and sports like basketball, paddle boarding, rafting, canoeing, and more.
    • Go to Island Queen using the ferry, which features outstanding views and 14 lighthouses.
    • Attend art exhibitions at institutions like the Worcester Art Museum.

  • What Is the Abbreviation for Massachusetts?

    Every state in the USA has an abbreviation that makes it easier to refer to them. In this case, the Massachusetts abbreviation is MA.