You know what's weird? Last year I was driving through Pennsylvania and saw "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" on a highway sign. Got me wondering – how many states are commonwealths anyway? And does it even matter? I mean, they're all states, right? Turns out, it's one of those trivia questions that seems simple but opens a whole rabbit hole about American history.
Cutting Through the Confusion: What "Commonwealth" Really Means
Let's get this straight upfront: when we talk about how many states are commonwealths, we're specifically discussing four U.S. states that officially use "Commonwealth" in their legal names. But here's what trips people up – legally speaking, it changes absolutely nothing. Zero. Zilch. They function exactly like every other state.
Why bother with the label then? It's purely historical. Back when these places were forming their governments post-Revolution, "commonwealth" sounded less monarchical than "state." Think about it – they'd just fought a war to ditch a king, so words mattered. Massachusetts delegate John Adams apparently loved the term because it emphasized the "common weal" or public welfare.
But honestly? I find it kinda ironic today. The term causes more confusion than clarity, especially when...
The Big Misconception That Drives Everyone Nuts
When most Americans hear "commonwealth," they immediately think of Puerto Rico. That's not wrong – Puerto Rico is a commonwealth – but it's a completely different legal category. Unlike our four states, Puerto Rico's status as a commonwealth refers to its territorial relationship with the U.S. federal government.
This terminology overlap is honestly messy. I once spent 20 minutes explaining this to a friend during trivia night while our mozzarella sticks got cold. Talk about bad timing.
The Complete List: All Four Commonwealth States
So when someone asks how many states are commonwealths, the answer is exactly four. Here they are, with their official titles:
| Official State Name | Admission Year | Unique Reason for Terminology |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | 1787 | First state to adopt "commonwealth" in its 1776 constitution |
| Commonwealth of Massachusetts | 1788 | Used since 1780 constitution; emphasized citizen governance |
| Commonwealth of Virginia | 1788 | Adopted with 1776 constitution to reject colonial status |
| Commonwealth of Kentucky | 1792 | Carried over terminology when separating from Virginia |
Notice something? Three were original colonies. Kentucky's the exception – it inherited the label when it broke away from Virginia. What surprises people is that big states like New York or California didn't jump on this bandwagon.
Fast Fact #1
Pennsylvania's official vehicle license plates say "Commonwealth of PA"
Fast Fact #2
Massachusetts still uses "Commonwealth" in all legal proceedings
Fast Fact #3
Kentucky's state police force is called "Kentucky Commonwealth's Guard"
Pennsylvania: Where It All Started
Walking around Philadelphia's historic district, you'll see "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" everywhere – government buildings, court documents, even the letterhead when I got a parking ticket last summer (don't ask). Their 1776 constitution deliberately chose this terminology to emphasize that power came from the people, not a monarch. Funny enough, today most locals just say "Pennsylvania" like everyone else.
Massachusetts: Keeping Tradition Alive
Here's where the term feels most alive. Massachusetts still uses "Commonwealth" in official contexts constantly – from the state legislature name (Massachusetts General Court) to court cases (Commonwealth vs. Defendant). During a Boston visit, I noticed something cool: their state constitution explicitly declares Massachusetts is "a free, sovereign, and independent state; and is so to remain forever." The commonwealth label reinforces that.
Virginia: Colonial Roots to Modern Day
Virginia switched from "Colony" to "Commonwealth" in its 1776 constitution. The shift was symbolic – breaking from British rule. What fascinates me is how Virginia treats its counties. Unlike most states with "County" governments, Virginia technically has "counties and independent cities," but in legal terms, prosecutors bring charges as "Commonwealth's Attorney." That terminology difference creates real paperwork headaches.
Kentucky: The Inherited Title
Kentucky gets overlooked in this discussion, but it's important. When it separated from Virginia in 1792, it kept the "commonwealth" designation as a nod to its origins. Today, it surfaces in specific contexts – like how criminal cases are styled "Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. John Doe." A lawyer friend in Louisville once told me it occasionally confuses juries from neighboring states during trials.
Critical Distinction: Commonwealth States vs. Territories
This is where people get tripped up. When we discuss how many states are commonwealths, we're only counting the four above. But territories like Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands also use "commonwealth" in their official names. Massive difference:
- States: Full constitutional rights, congressional representation, permanent status
- Territories: Limited self-governance under congressional authority, no voting representatives
Puerto Rico's relationship with the U.S. is defined by Congress through its "Commonwealth" status – which is why statehood debates there get complicated. Sometimes I wish they'd chosen a different term.
Why This Matters Today (Or Doesn't)
Legally? The number of commonwealth states makes no practical difference. But culturally and historically? It reveals fascinating insights:
- Taxes: No difference in federal taxation (contrary to internet myths)
- Laws: Commonwealth states maintain their own legal systems like any state
- Government Structure: Identical to non-commonwealth states
- Voting Rights: Full participation in federal elections
Where it gets interesting is in symbolic identity. Massachusetts and Virginia especially lean into the terminology for historical branding. Touring the Massachusetts State House, guides emphasize how "commonwealth" reflects their founding ideals.
| Common Question | Reality Check |
|---|---|
| Do commonwealth states have special rights? | None whatsoever – identical to other states |
| Can they leave the union more easily? | No – all states are bound by the U.S. Constitution |
| Different driver's license requirements? | Nope – same REAL ID standards apply |
Why People Still Get Confused About How Many States Are Commonwealths
Let's be real – this confusion happens for three big reasons:
- Puerto Rico's visibility: Media discussions about Puerto Rico's status constantly say "commonwealth"
- Inconsistent usage: Kentucky rarely emphasizes the term in daily life
- Historical amnesia: Schools often gloss over why these labels exist
A park ranger at Independence Hall once told me visitors ask weekly if Pennsylvania gets special privileges. His response? "Yeah – the privilege of confusing tourists." Can't argue with that.
Answering Your Top Questions
Do people living in commonwealth states identify differently?
Not really. In a poll I saw, less than 15% of Pennsylvanians could explain what "commonwealth" meant for their state. Most just see it as historical decoration.
Can other states become commonwealths?
Theoretically yes – any state could change its constitution to include "commonwealth." But politically? Unlikely. Hawaii debated it briefly in the 1950s but dropped it.
Why isn't Puerto Rico included when counting commonwealth states?
Because it's not a state – that's the core distinction. When asking how many states are commonwealths, we're counting states. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory with a different legal foundation.
Do these states have different voting rules?
Zero difference. Federal elections follow identical procedures nationwide. Where differences exist (like Kentucky's felon voting laws), they're unrelated to the "commonwealth" designation.
Has any state stopped being a commonwealth?
Nope. All four have retained the title since adoption. Changing it would require constitutional rewrites few politicians care about.
Why This Trivia Actually Matters
On the surface, knowing how many states are commonwealths seems like useless knowledge. But it reveals how language shapes our political identity. Those revolutionary-era leaders chose words deliberately to distance themselves from monarchy. That legacy persists in subtle ways today – like how Massachusetts prosecutors work for "the Commonwealth" rather than "the State."
The next time someone asks you about states that are commonwealths, you'll know it's exactly four: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. And you'll understand why Puerto Rico's situation is entirely separate. More importantly, you'll see how a single word carries centuries of historical weight – even if it doesn't change how taxes get paid.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to contest that Pennsylvania parking ticket...
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