Massachusetts

Key Details

• Massachusetts is the 14th most populous state in the U.S. in 2023, with a population of 7,001,399.
• In 2024, Massachusetts had 2,998 537 housing units, of which 7.9% were reported vacant. The average household size was 1.8.
• 23% of Massachusetts have at least completed high school or equivalent educational attainment, and 23.3% have completed a bachelor's degree or higher.
• The 2024 Governor of Massachusetts is Maura Healey of the Democratic Party.
• Massachusetts's median household income is $94,488, adjusted to 2022 inflation, which is higher than the national average.
• Massachusetts's life expectancy at birth is 80 years.

Massachusetts Population Demographics

Massachusetts is home to a population of 7,001,399 residents. The largest demographic group is white, comprising 68.6% of the population, followed by Hispanic individuals at 12.49%.

The Black population constitutes 6.79%, Asians account for 7.29%, and other races make up 4.80% of the residents. Despite the dominance of the white demographic, the state boasts significant racial diversity.

Regarding gender distribution, the state is divided almost equally, with 49% male and 51% female. Notably, the female population surpasses the male population in the 65–69-year age bracket. Furthermore, Massachusetts is distinguished by its substantial immigrant population, totaling 1.23 million residents. As of 2022, most foreign-born individuals in Massachusetts are Chinese.

Elections and Voting

Massachusetts has three main political parties: Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian. Historically, the last non-party governor was Samuel Adams in 1793, who served as acting lieutenant governor and state governor at the time. Since 2007, the Democratic and Republican parties have each held the Massachusetts governorship twice. The Democratic party held the position from 2007 to 2015 and from 2023 to now, while the Republican party held the position from 2003 to 2007 and from 2015 to 2023. The last candidate of the Libertarian party to become governor was Francis Sargent in January 1969. The current President of the State Senate and State Speaker of the House are both members of the Democratic party. The last time a Republican held the position of President of the Senate was in 1957-1958.

On a national level, there are 34 Democratic state senators compared to only 4 Republicans in Massachusetts. In recent presidential elections (2020, 2016, 2012, 2008), the majority of voters in Massachusetts chose the Democratic candidate. The highest Republican voter turnout of this century was in 2012, with 37.5% of voters opting for a Republican candidate.

Housing, Income, and Employment

There are 2,998 537 housing units in Massachusetts, with over 236,884 reported vacancies. Most of these are two-—to three-bedroom apartments, as there are only 13.6 one-bedroom apartments in the state.

Housing costs in Massachusetts have typically been higher than the national average. In the US, a mid-tier home costs about $350,000, but in Massachusetts, mid-tier homes range from $300,000 to $499,000, while bottom-tier homes are nearly $100,000. This exceeds the state's median household income of $94,488. This income and homeownership gap has led to a strong renting culture in Massachusetts. As of 2021, Massachusetts has an unemployment rate of 3.0%, lower than the national average of 4.2%.

Massachusetts Crime Rates

In 2023, Massachusetts had a crime rate of 3413 incidents per 100,000 people. This ratio is far higher than the 369.8 per 100,000 national average. Massachusetts crime incidents increased from 232,790 in 2022 to 239,244 in 2023.

The Massachusetts violent crime breakdown is as follows:

• Aggravated Assault – 17, 338
• Kidnapping – 560 incidents
• Rape – 1916 incidents
• Murder and Non-negligent manslaughter – 145 incidents

Property crime rates are a cause for concern in Massachusetts, with over 146,500 incidents reported. These offenses include robbery (18%), destruction/vandalism of property (19.5%), burglary (6.2%), and shoplifting (9.9%). The western parts of Massachusetts experience more reported incidents, with over 56,000 occurring annually. These incidents are reported in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties. In contrast, the southern part of Massachusetts, including counties like Barnstable, Bristol, Norfolk, Dukes, Middlesex, and Plymouth, experiences relatively fewer crimes.

How to Find People in Massachusetts

To find residents of Massachusetts, one can obtain public records from the state or search through the individual's social media profile.

Public records are accessible at the local, state, or federal level, and a visit to the local county office may be necessary for retrieval. The process often entails navigating through multiple public and private websites to compile a comprehensive report on the individual.

Interesting Facts About Massachusetts