At a glance: Massachusetts Massachusetts is the 16th most populous state in the U.S., with 7,001,399 residents across its 7,800 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 38 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Massachusetts is known for its major industries in technology, biotechnology, finance, maritime trade, and healthcare. Energy Massachusetts ranks No. 46 among states for energy production, with its leading production sources being wood and waste and noncombustible renewables according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state ranks No. 47 for energy consumption per capita. The leading energy sources consumed by Massachusetts are natural gas and motor gasoline. Massachusetts’ residential electricity rate is $0.292/kWh, above the national average. Commercial electricity rates are also more expensive at $0.196/kWh compared to the national average of $0.1259/kWh. Industrial users pay $0.176/kWh, above the national average industrial rate of $0.0804/kWh. The residential natural gas price in Massachusetts is $21.44 per thousand cubic feet, significantly above the national average of $15.23, according to the most recently available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Environment Annual carbon emissions have decreased 40 percent since 1970, while the state’s population has grown 32.3 percent in the same period. The federal government lists 17 species in Massachusetts as threatened or endangered.
