Profiles of Massachusetts, Sixth Edition (2022)

This information-packed volume provides immediate access to up-to-date and in-depth data on what makes Massachusetts truly unique.

Profiles of Massachusetts is designed to provide just the right data and insight into the make up of the state of Massachusetts. It provides the detail and demographic information that researchers or grant writers need and can also act as curriculum support for high school and college research papers. This data provides the critical information that can mean success in projects whether in community or government grants and funding or political science, sociology, history, civics and current events and more.

Users will find that by working their way through the 11 chapters and using the Comparative Section and the Ranking Section along with specific information on a town or county in the Profile Section, they can develop a strong statistical-based insight into of just about every place in Massachusetts.

NEW ORGANIZATION & LAYOUT

About Massachusetts: Facts & Photos

• This 4-color section provides a real sense of the state, its history and what makes Massachusetts such a unique and interesting place, with its rich history, size and location on the east coast. This section includes a Photo Gallery, a comprehensive section on Massachusetts’ History, and a state Historical Timeline.

Government: A State Guide

• This section provides a detailed look at the state government’s history, constitution and the structure of the state government in Massachusetts, one of four states in the United States with the legal designation of commonwealth. In addition this chapter explores the General Assembly, the Legislators’ qualifications and terms in office, various legislative committees, procedures of passing bills, the Executive and Judicial Branches and more. The chapter ends with a map of the Massachusetts’ 9 US Congressional Districts.

Demographic Maps

• The 11 charts and maps inform the reader about the state’s diverse population: where its citizens live, ethnic make-up of communities, home values, education levels, population size, age and more.

Geography

• An exploration of Massachusetts’ land, natural resources, physical features, federal land, Indian reservations and a satellite view of the state all contribute to a better understanding of settlement patterns, economic growth, and state resources important for its continued economic growth.

Energy

• A detailed look at the energy needs, uses and available resources that can help drive the economy and lifestyle of the state.

Climate

• This section starts with a State Summary, three colorful Maps, and Profiles of both National and Cooperative Weather Stations. In addition, there are Weather Station Rankings with hundreds of interesting details.

Comparative Statistics for Massachusetts’ 100 Largest Communities

• This section makes it easy to compare statistics on Massachusetts’ 100 largest communities by dozens of data points - by density of people per square mile, by land area, population size, ethnic percentages, household size, education level and much more. A treasure trove of data for grant writers, government research and uncovering population trends.

Rankings by Category of Massachusetts Towns and Cities  

• Arranged by dozens of interesting categories, this section includes tables that rank 1-150 of the top-ranked and 1-150 of the bottom-ranked communities with a population over 2,500. Explore everything from places at highest elevation, to lowest elevation. Employment, household income, population size, and many more rankings are included in this wide-ranging chapter.

Education

• This section begins with an Educational State Profile, summarizing number of schools, students, diplomas granted and educational dollars spent. Following the state profile are School District Rankings on 16 topics ranging from Teacher/ Student Ratios to High School Drop-Out Rates. Following these rankings are statewide National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results and data from the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), which give an overview of student performance by subject, including easy-to-read charts and graphs.

Ancestry, Ethnicity and Race

• This section provides a detailed look at the ancestral, Hispanic and racial makeup of Massachusetts’ 200+ ethnic categories. Profiles are included for the state, for all 14 counties, and for all places with 50,000 or more residents. In the ranking section, data is displayed three ways: 1) by number, based on all places regardless of population; 2) by percent, based on all places regardless of population; 3) by percent, based on places with populations of 50,000 or more.

Statistical Profiles of 616 Places & Counties in Massachusetts

• This section, organized by county, gives detailed profiles which bring together all the data points into a single profile for each of 611 places plus 14 counties, based on Census 2010 and updated data from the American Community Survey. We have added current government statistics and original research, so that these profiles pull together statistical and descriptive information on every Census-recognized place in each state

Index of Country and Place Names

• This index makes it easy to find the specific profile for a specific place name.

Profiles of Massachusetts goes beyond Census statistics, beyond metro area coverage, beyond the 100 best places to live. Drawn from official census information, other government statistics and original research, researchers will have data available nowhere else in one single source. Now in its 6th edition, this guide remains a remarkable compilation that offers overviews and insights into each corner of Massachusetts.