Massachusetts: government, population and official figures

Massachusetts is a state of the United States, number 16 of 51 by population. Massachusetts had an estimated 7,154,084 residents on 1 July 2025, 2.1% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 16th largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.22%, 13th slowest-growing of 51.

Who runs Massachusetts?

The governor is Maura Healey. Governor's office. Phone: 1-617-725-4005. Address: Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St. Office of the Governor, Room 280 Boston , MA 02133.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Massachusetts: The economy of Massachusetts (gross domestic product) was worth $813.6 billion in 2025 at current prices, 2.6% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 12th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 4.1% on 2024.
• Health in Massachusetts: Life expectancy at birth in Massachusetts was 79.8 years in 2022, 2nd longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Massachusetts: 90.1% of public high school students in Massachusetts graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); joint 4th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Massachusetts: The Census Bureau estimates that 9.8% of people in Massachusetts lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 675,676 people; joint 8th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Massachusetts: Massachusetts' state government took in $82.6 billion in fiscal year 2024, $11,577 per resident, 10th highest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Massachusetts

• Massachusetts
• Department of Agricultural Resources
• Health and Social Services
• Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
• Department of Correction
• Local governments
• District Attorney Offices
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
• Elections and Voting
• Emergency Management Agency
• Department of Public Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Massachusetts

1. Boston 672,973 (2025)
2. Worcester 213,862 (2025)
3. Springfield 154,702 (2025)
4. Cambridge 122,588 (2025)
5. Lowell 119,971 (2025)
6. Brockton 106,134 (2025)
7. Lynn 104,236 (2025)
8. Quincy 103,173 (2025)
9. New Bedford 101,834 (2025)
10. Fall River 95,298 (2025)
11. Newton 90,741 (2025)
12. Lawrence 89,320 (2025)
13. Somerville 84,211 (2025)
14. Framingham 73,021 (2025)
15. Haverhill 68,361 (2025)
16. Malden 66,370 (2025)
17. Waltham 65,037 (2025)
18. Taunton 62,522 (2025)
19. Revere 60,141 (2025)
20. Medford 59,834 (2025)
21. Weymouth Town 59,759 (2025)
22. Peabody 55,953 (2025)
23. Chicopee 55,310 (2025)
24. Methuen 54,584 (2025)
25. Everett 53,572 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

Up a level: the United States · government and power in the United States · cities

Sources

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