Massachusetts
MA · Data from 2022–2023 government sources
Massachusetts, the Bay State, is where American history began and where it continues to be shaped. From the Pilgrims' landing at Plymouth Rock to the battles of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts has been at the center of the American story. Today, it is a global leader in higher education, healthcare, biotechnology, and innovation, anchored by world-renowned institutions like Harvard and MIT.
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The Pilgrims established Plymouth Colony in 1620, and the Puritans founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. Massachusetts was the epicenter of the American Revolution — the Boston Tea Party (1773), Paul Revere's ride (1775), and the Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775) all took place here. Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify the Constitution in 1788. The state was a leader in the abolitionist movement and the women's suffrage movement, and in 2004 became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.
Economy
Massachusetts has one of the most innovative economies in the world. The Greater Boston area is a global hub for biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, higher education, financial services, and technology. The Kendall Square area in Cambridge is sometimes called the most innovative square mile on Earth, home to biotech giants and tech companies. Healthcare and education are the state's largest employment sectors. Massachusetts also has a significant fishing industry — the port of New Bedford leads the nation in seafood revenue.
Geography & Landmarks
Massachusetts covers 10,554 square miles — the 44th-largest state. The terrain ranges from the Berkshire Mountains in the west to the sandy beaches of Cape Cod and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Cape Cod National Seashore protects 40 miles of pristine Atlantic coastline. The Connecticut River valley in the west is an important agricultural region. Despite its small size, Massachusetts has diverse ecosystems from coastal marshes to mountain forests. Cape Cod's iconic arm-shaped peninsula extends 65 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and was formed by glacial deposits during the last Ice Age. The Berkshire Hills rise to 3,491 feet at Mount Greylock, the state's highest point, which provided the setting for Herman Melville's writing of Moby-Dick at his nearby Arrowhead estate.
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area — NPS Photo
Source: NPS API
Culture & Traditions
Massachusetts is a cornerstone of American intellectual and artistic life. The Boston Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1881, is one of the Big Five American orchestras, and its summer home at Tanglewood in the Berkshires is the premier outdoor classical music venue in the country. Boston's literary heritage includes the Transcendentalists (Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne) in Concord, the poets of Cambridge (Longfellow, e.e. cummings, Robert Lowell), and contemporary voices shaped by the state's many universities. The Red Sox inspire near-religious devotion at Fenway Park, the oldest active Major League ballpark (opened 1912), while New England Patriots fans built a dynasty with six Super Bowl victories. Massachusetts cuisine includes New England clam chowder, Boston cream pie (the official state dessert), and Thanksgiving itself — the first celebration was held at Plymouth in 1621.
Notable Cities
Boston
CapitalThe state capital and the largest city in New England. A cradle of American liberty, home to the Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, and over 100 colleges and universities in the metro area.
665,945
Population
$89,212
Median income
$684,900
Home value
$1,981
Median rent
32.9
Median age
6.6%
Unemployment
34.8%
Homeownership
131,473
Bachelor's+
Cambridge
Home to Harvard University and MIT — two of the most influential institutions in the world. Kendall Square is a global epicenter of biotech and tech innovation.
Salem
Famous for the 1692 witch trials, now a popular destination with museums, historic sites, and October Halloween celebrations drawing visitors from around the world.
Plymouth
Where the Pilgrims landed in 1620. Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower II replica, and Plimoth Patuxet living history museum tell the story of the first English settlement.
Provincetown
At the tip of Cape Cod, where the Pilgrims actually first landed before Plymouth. A vibrant arts colony and LGBTQ+ destination with stunning Cape Cod National Seashore beaches.
Capital city data: Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)
Intel File · Fun Facts
Harvard University, founded in 1636, is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.
The first subway system in the United States opened in Boston in 1897 — the MBTA Green Line still runs along part of the original route.
Basketball was invented by James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891.
Massachusetts is the birthplace of four U.S. presidents: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John F. Kennedy, and George H.W. Bush.
The Fig Newton cookie is named after the city of Newton, Massachusetts.
Data & Statistics
Demographics
- Population
- 6,984,205
- Median income
- $96,505
- Median age
- 39.8
- Median home value
- $483,900
- Below poverty line
- 672,361
- Bachelor's degree+
- 1,234,320
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022)
Agriculture
- Total farms
- 7,083
- Cropland
- 159,611 acres
- Market value
- $607M
Source: USDA NASS, Census of Agriculture (2022)
Public Health
- Obesity rate
- 27.4%
- Diabetes rate
- 9.8%
- Smoking rate
- 9.8%
- High blood pressure
- 31.0%
- Uninsured
- 2.8%
Source: CDC BRFSS Prevalence Data (2023, 2022 fallback)
National Parks & Sites
- National parks
- 0
- Total NPS sites
- 18
- Sites
- Adams National Historical Park, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, Boston National Historical Park, Cape Cod National Seashore, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site, Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, New England National Scenic Trail, Salem Maritime National Historical Park, Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
Source: National Park Service API
Climate
- Avg temperature
- 48.7°F
- Avg high
- 58.6°F
- Avg low
- 38.1°F
- Annual precipitation
- 48.8 in
- Annual snowfall
- 47.9 in
Source: NOAA Climate Normals (2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Massachusetts?▾
Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and the largest city in New England. It has been the state capital since Massachusetts Bay Colony was established in 1630.
What is Massachusetts known for?▾
Massachusetts is known for its pivotal role in American independence, world-class universities (Harvard, MIT), leadership in biotech and healthcare, Cape Cod beaches, the Boston Red Sox, clam chowder, and being the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.
What is the Freedom Trail?▾
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walking path through downtown Boston that passes 16 historically significant sites related to the American Revolution, including the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, and the site of the Boston Massacre.
When is the best time to visit Cape Cod?▾
The best time to visit Cape Cod is June through September for warm weather, swimming, and whale watching. Fall (September-October) offers fewer crowds, beautiful foliage, and cranberry harvest festivals. Many businesses close or reduce hours from November through April.
Data sources
U.S. Census Bureau · USDA NASS · CDC BRFSS · National Park Service · NOAA CDO
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau. This product uses the NASS API but is not endorsed or certified by NASS.
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