Commonwealths in the United States are four states that officially designate themselves as commonwealths in their full state name: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Functionally, they are legally identical to other states; the term “commonwealth” is a historical and stylistic choice rather than a legal distinction. Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands are also sometimes described with the term “commonwealth,” but they are not states and have a different political status. Key points:
- The four U.S. states that call themselves commonwealths: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia.
- In the U.S., there is no legal difference between a commonwealth and a state; the distinction is purely in name and historical philosophy.
- The term originates from historical political language emphasizing governance for the common good and public welfare.
If you’d like, I can provide quick summaries of each state’s constitution or how the term is used in official contexts.