- Nickname: Bay State, Old Colony
- Motto: Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate
Quietem (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only
under liberty)
- Flower: Mayflower
- Bird: Chickadee
- Area: 10,554 square miles (2000; U.S. rank: 44th)
- Elevation: Ranges from sea level to 3,487 feet
- Climate: Temperate, with a colder, drier climate
in the western portion of the state
- Admitted to Union: February 6, 1788
- Capital: Boston
- Head Official: Governor Mitt Romney (R) (until
2007)
- Population
- 1980: 5,737,000
- 1990: 6,016,425
- 2000: 6,349,097
- 2004 estimate: 6,416,505
- Percent change, 1990–2000: 5.5%
- U.S. rank in 2004: 13th
- Percent of residents born in state: 66.1% (2000)
- Density: 809.8 people per square mile (2000)
- 2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 198,890
- Racial and Ethnic Characteristics (2000)
- White: 5,367,287
- Black or African American: 343,454
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 15,015
- Asian: 238,124
- Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 2,489
- Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 428,729
- Other: 236,724
- Age Characteristics (2000)
- Population under 5 years old: 397,268
- Population 5 to 19 years old: 1,277,845
- Percent of population 65 years and over: 13.5%
- Median age: 36.5 years (2000)
- Vital Statistics
- Total number of births (2003): 80,345
- Total number of deaths (2003): 55,836 (infant
deaths, 425)
- AIDS cases reported through 2003: 8,397
- Economy
- Major industries: Services, trade, manufacturing,
agriculture, tourism
- Unemployment rate: 4.7% (April 2005)
- Per capita income: $39,408 (2003; U.S. rank: 4th)
- Median household income: $52,084 (3-year average,
2001-2003)
- Percentage of persons below poverty level: 9.7%
(3-year average, 2001-2003)
- Income tax rate: 5.3%
- Sales tax rate: 5% on most items (does not
include food and clothing)
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