Needham, Massachusetts

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Located just 10 miles southwest of Boston, Massachusetts, Needham is a comfortable residential community of nearly 30,000 people who enjoy the benefits of easy accessibility to both the city of Boston and the western suburbs. While Needham's proximity to Route 128 and several other major highways provides for quick commutes to various parts of the city, the town is also home to several restaurants, shopping venues and recreational facilities which offer residents many opportunities to enjoy entertainent and culture right nearby.

Incorporated as a town in 1711, Needham was an isolated agricultural village until the mid-nineteenth century, when industrial development and the opening of the railroad encouraged land speculation and settlement. In the twentieth century, Needham's William Carter Corporation made the town prominent in the children's knitwear industry. With the development of Route 128 in 1931 and the post-World War II boom in technology and population, Needham became the modern and pleasant suburb that makes it such an ideal place to live today.

Needham is also known for it's excellent educational resources and school system, ranging from it's enrichment and extended day programs in early education to its innovative courses for high school students preparing for college. Complementing the town's five public elementary schools, one middle school and high school, are two private schools and a recently renovated and expanded town library. There are also educational opportunities for adults through the Needham schools' adult education program.

Beyond the classroom, Needham offers first rate recreational programs and facilities for both children and adults. The Rosemary Pool is a 300 x 70 foot public pool located just outside the town center, complete with a concession stand, a picnic and beach area, and a small playground. Needham also boasts rich open forest lands, such as Ridge Hill Reservation, a 350 acre conservation and recreation space perfect for hiking and riding. With several other park locations, playgrounds and athletic fields are available to Needham residents, the town offers the perfect balance between the advantages of the open-air country and the conveniences of modern living.

Town Statistics:

Population (year 2000): 28,911
Males: 13,702 (47.4%), Females: 15,209 (52.6%)
Elevation: 162 feet
County: Norfolk
Zip codes: 02492, 02494, 02192, 02194.

Median resident age: 40.8 years

Median household income: $88,079 (year 2000)
Median house value: $385,600 (year 2000)

Races in Needham:

- White Non-Hispanic (93.9%)
- Chinese (1.8%)
- Hispanic (1.2%)
- Black (0.7%)
- Asian Indian (0.7%)
- Two or more races (0.7%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

For population 25 years and over in Needham

- High school or higher: 96.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher: 64.9%
- Graduate or professional degree: 33.5%
- Unemployed: 2.9%
- Mean travel time to work: 27.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Needham

- Never married: 21.8%
- Now married: 65.0%
- Separated: 0.9%
- Widowed: 8.0%
- Divorced: 4.4%

Needham compared to Massachusetts state average:

- Median household income above state average.
- Median house value significantly above state average.
- Unemployed percentage below state average.
- Renting percentage below state average.
- Length of stay since moving in above state average.
- Number of rooms per house above state average.
- House age above state average.
- Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly above state average.

For more information, please visit the Needham Town Website.