A Profile of Massachusetts

Massachusetts is one of the original Thirteen Colonies, admitted to the United States of America as the sixth state on February 6, 1788.

• Capital: Boston, which dates from 1630.
• Motto: Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem
  Translation: “By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty.”
• Nickname: The Bay State (or the Old Bay State) is the most commonly used nickname for Massachusetts. Other nicknames include the Old Colony State, the Puritan State, and the Baked Bean State.
• Population (2020 Census): 7,029,917

Largest Cities and Populations

(2020 Census)

• Boston: 675,647
• Worcester: 206,518
• Springfield: 155,929
• Cambridge: 118,403
• Lowell: 115,554
• Brockton: 105,643
• Quincy: 101,636
• Lynn 101,253
• New Bedford: 101,079
• Fall River: 94,000

Geography

• Area: 8,257 sq. miles
• Largest body of water: Quabbin Reservoir — 39 sq. miles
• Longest river: Charles River — 80 miles
• Highest elevation: Mt. Greylock — 3,491 feet
• Lowest elevation: Atlantic Ocean — sea level
• Number of state parks: 107
• Largest state park: October Mountain State Forest, Lee — 16,300 acres
• Number of national historical parks, seashores, & historic sites: 12
• Largest national area: Cape Cod National Seashore — 43,500 acres

Government

Constitutional Officers

• Governor: Maura Healey
• Lieutenant Governor: Kimberley Driscoll
• Secretary of the Commonwealth: William Francis Galvin
• Attorney General: Andrea Joy Campbell
• Treasurer and Receiver-General: Deborah Goldberg
• Auditor: Diana DiZoglio

Legislature

• Official Name: Massachusetts General Court
• Senate: 40 members, elected every two years
  • Senate President: Karen Spilka, 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk
• House of Representatives: 160 members, elected every two years
  • Speaker of the House: Ronald Mariano, 3rd Norfolk

Highest Court

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

• Chief Justice: Kimberly S. Budd
• Associate Justices:
  • Frank Gaziano
  • David A. Lowy
  • Elspeth B. Cypher
  • Scott L. Kafker
  • Dalila Argaez Wendlandt
  • Serge Georges Jr.