How many commonwealths are in the United States?
At first glance the question seems simple, but the answer touches on history, law, and the subtle ways language shapes our understanding of American governance. The United States recognizes four states that officially style themselves as “commonwealths,” and two inhabited territories that also carry the designation. In total, six political entities within the U.S. use the term commonwealth in their formal name. Below we explore what the word means, where it appears, why it persists, and what practical difference—if any—it makes today Not complicated — just consistent. Simple as that..
What Does “Commonwealth” Mean?
The term commonwealth originates from the English phrase common weal, meaning “the common welfare” or “the public good.” In the 16th and 17th centuries it was used to describe a polity founded for the benefit of all its citizens, as opposed to a monarchy or oligarchy that served a privileged few. When English colonists settled North America, they brought the word with them, applying it to new governments that claimed to serve the collective interest of their inhabitants.
In modern U.S. usage, commonwealth is largely honorific. It does not confer a distinct legal status, special powers, or a different relationship with the federal government compared to other states. Instead, it reflects historical tradition, regional pride, and, in some cases, a desire to point out democratic ideals.
The Four Commonwealth States
Kentucky
Officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the state adopted the designation in its first constitution (1792). Early Kentuckians, many of whom were veterans of the Revolutionary War, wanted to signal their break from monarchical rule and their commitment to a government based on the common good. Today, Kentucky’s official documents, license plates, and state seal all bear the word “Commonwealth.”
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts traces its use of the term to the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, drafted by John Adams. Adams deliberately chose “commonwealth” to underscore the state’s republican foundations. The phrase appears in the state’s motto, “Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem” (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty), and in the official name of the state government.
Pennsylvania
Known as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the state’s first constitution (1776) employed the term to reflect the influence of Enlightenment thinkers who advocated for a government serving the public welfare. Pennsylvania’s legal code, judicial system, and even the University of Pennsylvania’s formal name retain the reference.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia was the first of the four to adopt the label, doing so in its 1776 constitution. Virginia’s revolutionary leaders, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, viewed the commonwealth ideal as a natural extension of the republican experiment they were launching. The term appears on Virginia’s state flag, in the name of the Virginia Commonwealth University, and in numerous state statutes.
Key point: Although these four states call themselves commonwealths, they possess exactly the same constitutional powers, responsibilities, and federal obligations as the other 46 states. The distinction is symbolic, not substantive.
Commonwealth Territories of the United States
Beyond the states, the federal government applies the term commonwealth to two insular areas that have a unique, negotiated relationship with Washington That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Puerto Rico
Officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the island became a U.S. territory after the Spanish‑American War of 1898. In 1952, Puerto Rico adopted its own constitution and chose the title “commonwealth” to express a desire for self‑governance while remaining under U.S. sovereignty. Residents are U.S. citizens, pay most federal taxes, and elect a non‑voting resident commissioner to Congress. Even so, they cannot vote in presidential elections unless they reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia It's one of those things that adds up..
Northern Mariana Islands
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) consists of 14 islands in the western Pacific. After World War II, the islands were placed under a U.N. trusteeship administered by the United States. In 1978, the Northern Mariana Islands voted to become a U.S. commonwealth, a status formalized in 1986. Like Puerto Rico, CNMI residents are U.S. citizens, but they maintain control over local immigration and labor laws—a feature that distinguishes them from both states and other territories Small thing, real impact. No workaround needed..
Note: While both Puerto Rico and the CNMI call themselves commonwealths, their political status differs from that of the four commonwealth states. They are unincorporated territories, meaning certain provisions of the U.S. Constitution do not apply automatically, and Congress retains ultimate authority over their governance That's the part that actually makes a difference..
This is where a lot of people lose the thread.
Why the Designation Matters (or Doesn’t)
Symbolic Value
For Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, the word “commonwealth” is a badge of historical identity. It appears on state seals, in official ceremonies, and in educational curricula that highlight the states’ revolutionary roots. In Puerto Rico and the CNMI, the term signals a negotiated autonomy that distinguishes them from ordinary territories or states.
Legal and Practical Effects
Legally, the designation carries no special powers. Commonwealth states:
- Follow the same federal‑state relationship as all other states (subject to the Supremacy Clause, equal representation in the Senate, etc.).
- Are bound by the same federal laws, regulations, and funding mechanisms.
- Have identical rights to amend their constitutions, subject only to the U.S. Constitution.
Commonwealth territories:
- Operate under territorial statutes that grant them a degree of self‑rule, but Congress can override local laws.
- Receive certain federal benefits (e.g., Medicaid, disaster assistance) but are excluded from some programs or receive them at different rates.
- Lack voting representation in Congress and cannot vote in presidential elections unless they establish residency in a state.
Thus, while the term evokes ideals of collective welfare, its day‑to‑day impact is largely
