The capital of Massachusetts is Boston.
The Postal Code for Massachusetts: MA
The typical abbreviation for Massachusetts: Mass.
Time Zone:
The state of Massachusetts is in the Eastern Time (EST/EDT) zone and observes daylight saving time.
| Note: |
Starting in 2007, Daylight Savings Time will be begin 3 weeks earlier and end 1 week later.
Click here for details. |
When the people of Massachusetts refer to themselves: Bay Stater
Population: According to the 2006 Census estimates, Massachusetts has a population of 6,437,193 people.
This represents 2.15% of the national total, making it the 13th most populous state.
The following are population changes since the last Census. The population counts after year 2000 are estimates.
| Year | Population | Change |
| 2006 | 6,437,193 | No significant change since 2005 |
| 2005 | 6,433,367 | No significant change since 2004 |
| 2004 | 6,435,995 | +0.24% since 2003 |
| 2003 | 6,420,357 | -0.17% since 2002 |
| 2002 | 6,431,247 | +0.38% since 2001 |
| 2001 | 6,406,727 | +0.91% since 2000 |
| 2000 | 6,349,097 | Last Census Count |
Area:
The area of Massachusetts is 10,555 square miles (27,337.32 km²).
This represents 0.28% of the national total.
Massachusetts ranks as the 44th largest state.
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Density:
The population density of Massachusetts is 821.07 people per square mile (317.02 people/km²).
Massachusetts ranks 3rd in population density.
Nicknames for Massachusetts: "The Bay State"; "The Old Colony State"
State Motto: "Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem" (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty)
State Bird: Black-Capped Chickadee (poecile atricapillus)
State Tree: American Elm (ulmus americana)
State Flower: Mayflower (epigaea regens)
State Song: "All Hail to Massachusetts"
Statehood:
Massachusetts became the 6th state on Feb 6, 1788.
Useful State Links
The state website for Massachusetts can be found at:
The portal for Massachusetts tourism:
For information about Massachusetts fishing and hunting regulations and licenses requirements:
Communities Ranked by Population (Top-15)
 
| Rank | City | 2005
Population | National
Rank |
| 1 | Boston | 559,034 | 20 |
| 2 | Worcester | 175,898 | 123 |
| 3 | Springfield | 151,732 | 135 |
| 4 | Lowell | 103,111 | |
| 5 | Cambridge | 100,135 | |
| 6 | Brockton | 94,632 | |
| 7 | New Bedford | 93,102 | |
| 8 | Fall River | 91,802 | |
| 9 | Lynn | 88,792 | |
| 10 | Quincy | 90,250 | |
| 11 | Newton | 83,158 | |
| 12 | Somerville | 74,963 | |
| 13 | Lawrence | 71,314 | |
| 15 | Waltham | 59,556 | |
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Miscellaneous Information
| Census Region: 1 (Northeast) |
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| Census Division: 1 (New England) |
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| State FIPS-55 Code: 25 |
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| Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Region I / Region 1 |
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| ISO-3166-2 Code: US-MA |
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