Massachusetts is located in the New England region of the United States and is officially a “commonwealth,” though this term does not carry any special assignment and “state” can be used interchangeably. Plymouth, our nation’s second permanent English settlement in North America, was founded within this state’s borders.
The state’s total population is around 6,449,755 which make it the 14
th most populated state in the nation, 3
rd in overall population density. Its demographics are as follows; 87.89% White American; 7.58% African American; 0.65% American Indian; 5.13% Asian American; 0.17% Native Hawaiian. The gross state product for Massachusetts has been estimated at $338 billion dollars while the per capita personal income is estimated at $42,102. The state income tax is a flat rate of 5.3% with a 5% local sales tax on retail items with exemptions for groceries, clothing and periodicals. Massachusetts is made up of 50 cities and 301 towns grouped into 14 separate counties. Boston is the state capital and the largest city to be found in the state. Some of the other larger cities are Wocester, Springfield, Lowell and Cambridge.