Massachusetts History

From the witches in Salem to the Boston Tea Party, Massachusetts is rich in history. Dating back before the 1600s native Indian tribes marked their territory in the state. Some of those Tribes include the Massachuset, Nipmucs, Mahican, and Wampanoag. It was the Massachuset tribe that gave the state its name of Massachusetts Bay, which eventually became the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By the early 1600s, the pilgrims came to settle into North American territory. They saw the grassy shorelines of the Cape Cod Islands and eventually landed on what is known as Plymouth Rock. Today, Plymouth Rock is just one of many historical landmarks. Many tourists and locals flock to Faneuil Hall, once used as a meeting place and now serving as a marketplace. A famous eulogy was held in Faneuil Hall for Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson who both died on July 4, 1826. The state's capital, Boston, is the core of the state's economy and is a melting pot of culture, art, and diversity. The fast pace of the city streets balances the relaxing atmosphere of waterfront restaurants that dot the city's marinas. A mix of swanky retail and mom and pop shops are also part of Massachusetts culture. Rich in tradition, every April, Massachusetts hosts its annual Boston Marathon. Since its start in 1897, runners have taken to the streets to begin a 26-mile trek beginning in Hopkinton and ending in Boston. For three centuries Massachusetts has been keeping track of all of its firsts, which include building the first railroad, forming the first library, writing the first state constitution and building the first computer.

Massachusetts Real Estate Information and Geography

With nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean - if measured along every foot of all of the harbors, nooks and crannies - Massachusetts is 190 miles from east to west and 110 miles from north to south. Massachusetts is bordered by New Hampshire and Vermont on the north, New York on the west and Connecticut and Rhode Island on the south. Massachusetts real estate runs from seashell covered beaches on the east coast to rural areas with thick wooded forests and mountainous terrain out west. All told, the Bay State has 1,100 lakes and ponds, but the state is perhaps best known for its ocean front property. Off of Cape Cod, there are the popular Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, along with the Elizabeth Islands. The Vineyard, as Martha's Vineyard is popularly known, stretches 19 miles long and is 10 miles wide. Nantucket, the smaller island, is only 15 miles long and approximately 4 miles wide. The Elizabeth Islands are a collection of 22 small islands. In total, there are 14 counties and 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Prices for single family homes in Massachusetts slightly decreased to $350,000 in 2006 from $360,000 in 2005 following the same trend nationally. The average U.S. home price was $221,900 in 2005 and dropped slightly to $219,000 in 2006. Average single family home prices continue with the trend and as of the first half of 2007 were $345,000.

Massachusetts Economic Information

Massachusetts median household income in 2004 was $53,657. Less than 10 percent of the state's population lives below the poverty level. The technical and scientific industries lead the state with 20,434 firms. Those industries are fueled by research and expertise at some of the country's top colleges and universities including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Boston College and Tufts University. Retail trade follows the life sciences with 18,090 businesses. Construction is in third place with 16,296 construction-related businesses.

Massachusetts Population and Demographics

There were 6,349,097 people living in Massachusetts according to the 2000 U.S. Census, a 5.5 percent increase from the 1990 Census. Massachusetts ranks 13th in population. Massachusetts' population is expected to reach 7,012,009 by 2030. Depending on which pocket of the state you visit, you will find vastly different demographics. One third of the state's population is foreign born and are made up of English, French, Irish, Italian, Polish and Portuguese people. Based on Massachusetts demographic statistics for 2005, the state's population is 86.7 percent white, 7.9 percent Hispanic or Latino descent, 6.9 percent black, and 4.6 percent Asian. More than a third of the state's adults have a bachelor's degree or graduate degree and 86 percent of the adult population has at least a high school degree, according to the U.S. Census.