List of counties in Massachusetts

List of counties in Massachusetts
State	Massachusetts
Type	County
Current number	14
Population range	14,255 (Nantucket) – 1,632,002 (Middlesex)
Area range	48 sq mi (Nantucket) – 1,513 sq mi (Worcester)
Founded date	1643 (first counties)
Government	County commission or abolished

List of counties in Massachusetts. The U.S. state of Massachusetts has 14 counties. The county system was established in the colonial era, with the first counties created by the Massachusetts General Court in the mid-17th century. Today, the role of county government varies significantly, having been abolished in some areas while remaining active in others, particularly for regional services like sheriffs' departments and registries of deeds.

History

The history of counties in Massachusetts dates to the colonial period under the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The first counties, Essex, Middlesex, and Suffolk, were created by an act of the Massachusetts General Court in 1643. Subsequent counties were formed as settlement expanded westward and southward, often from land ceded by other states or organized from existing counties, such as the creation of Berkshire County from parts of Hampshire County in 1761. The state government began abolishing many county governments in the late 1990s, notably in Worcester County and Middlesex County, consolidating their functions into state agencies or regional entities.

Alphabetical list

The fourteen counties, their county seats, and founding dates are: Barnstable County (Barnstable, 1685); Berkshire County (Pittsfield, 1761); Bristol County (Taunton, 1685); Dukes County (Edgartown, 1695); Essex County (Salem and Lawrence, 1643); Franklin County (Greenfield, 1811); Hampden County (Springfield, 1812); Hampshire County (Northampton, 1662); Middlesex County (Cambridge and Lowell, 1643); Nantucket County (Nantucket, 1695); Norfolk County (Dedham, 1793); Plymouth County (Plymouth and Brockton, 1685); Suffolk County (Boston, 1643); and Worcester County (Worcester, 1731).

Defunct counties

Several counties have been dissolved or transferred throughout Massachusetts history. Cumberland County was ceded to Maine when it became a state in 1820 as part of the Missouri Compromise. Devonshire County, created in 1674, was dissolved in 1675 during King Philip's War. Hancock County and Lincoln County were also transferred to Maine upon its statehood. Other short-lived counties include Old Norfolk County, which existed from 1643 until being partitioned into Essex County and Suffolk County.

Government

County government structure in Massachusetts is not uniform. Eight counties, including Barnstable County, Dukes County, and Nantucket County, retain active county commissions. In contrast, the governments of several others, such as Worcester County, Middlesex County, and Suffolk County, were abolished between 1997 and 1999, with their functions assumed by state agencies. Essential county-level services that often persist include the sheriff's department, registries of deeds, and county jails, even in regions where the broader government has been dissolved.

Geography

The counties of Massachusetts encompass diverse geography, from coastal plains to upland regions. Coastal counties include Barnstable County on Cape Cod, Essex County along the North Shore, and the island counties of Dukes County (Martha's Vineyard) and Nantucket County. Western counties like Berkshire County are part of the Berkshire Hills, while central counties such as Worcester County contain parts of the New England Upland. Major waterways include the Connecticut River, which runs through Hampshire County and Hampden County, and the Merrimack River, flowing through Middlesex County and Essex County.

Demographics

Demographics vary widely across Massachusetts counties. The most populous is Middlesex County, home to cities like Cambridge and Framingham, while the least populous is Nantucket County. Suffolk County, containing Boston, has the highest population density. Counties like Franklin County and Berkshire County are more rural. Significant demographic shifts have occurred, with growth in counties like Norfolk County near the Greater Boston area, while some western counties have seen slower growth or population decline in recent decades according to the United States Census Bureau.

* Massachusetts