Massachusetts: Steeped in History

Massachusetts, located in the northeastern United States, is one of the “original thirteen” colonial signatories to the U.S. Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and was officially admitted as a state on February 6, 1788. From its role in the American Revolutionary War in the 1770’s to becoming the first state to require health insurance for nearly all residents in 2006, Massachusetts has had a storied place in U.S. history.

An Evolving Economy That Has Changed with the Times

The Massachusetts economy in the colonial years of the 1600-1700’s was driven by agriculture, fishing, and trade with Europe. The Industrial Revolution of the 1800’s saw the state’s economy evolve into a manufacturing center. In the 1900’s, the state’s economic base shifted from industrial manufacturing into services. Today, Massachusetts is a leader in higher education, health care services, high technology, life sciences research and manufacturing, and financial services.

Massachusetts Crime Is on the Decline

Massachusetts has seen a slow, steady declining trend in most types of crime since the late 1980’s and early 1990’s through recent years. In 2006, Massachusetts ranked 20th among U.S. states for violent crimes per 100,000 population at 447, between Georgia and Pennsylvania. Significant declines have been achieved in property crimes, murder, aggravated assault, burglary, and vehicle theft.

A State of Brainiacs

Massachusetts is home to a highly educated workforce. In 2000, more than 33% of residents over the age of 25 had completed a college education, more than any other state. Massachusetts also has one of the highest levels of Ph.D.’s per capita of any state in science and engineering. Massachusetts’ educational attributes are a reflection of the state’s strong, vibrant educational sector. 121 institutions of higher education call Massachusetts home. Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, both located in Cambridge, are consistently rated among the world’s best. Other hubs of education in Massachusetts are Boston, home to 40 colleges, and Worcester, with ten. The state’s public university system is the University of Massachusetts, which has five campuses, the largest of which is in Amherst, with a population of over 20,000 students.

State’s Population Tends toward the Democratic

Massachusetts has a population of roughly 6.6 million people. Its population has been growing slowly in recent years. While some residents have been moving out of state, new immigrants coming in have kept the state’s net growth slightly positive. Politically, Massachusetts has been a Democratic state historically. Among Massachusetts residents of voting age, there are roughly 1.5 million self-identified Democrats, who outnumber their Republican counterparts roughly three to one. However, the largest voting block is among non-affiliated voters, which number more than two million.