Introduction

Needham is a town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. A gorgeous suburb of Boston city, Needham is home to Olin College, which is a noted name in the circle of engineering.

With a tight-knit community, safe neighborhoods, and a substantial education system, Needham is a delightful town to live in. If you are thinking of moving to a warm town to raise your family in, Needham is a great choice to go for.

Quick Facts About Needham, MA

· The public schools in Needham are extremely highly rated, making it a good town for your kids’ education.

· Needham serves as a wonderful town to raise a family.

· There are plenty of outdoor activities to be enjoyed during the weekends and holidays.

· The safety factor is high in Needham, thereby proving to be an ideal place for families.

· It is known to be one of the best suburbs to live in Massachusetts.

Is Needham an ideal town to move to? We can aid you in finding a great neighborhood. Nextburb's Concierge Service is free and our experts are here to assist you in comparing various towns before deciding the neighborhood you want to live in.

History of Needham, MA

The settlement of Needham took place in 1680 after being purchased from Chief Nehoiden. It was in 1711 that the official incorporation of the town happened. Although it was initially a part of the Dedham Grant, Needham eventually split from the town of Dedham and went on to be named after the Needham Market located in Suffolk, England.

The town had asked for their own church, post which 40 men who resided on the northern area of the Charles River requested the General Court for a separation from Dedham. The inadequacy of the services, including that of the churches and schools, were given as a reason for this petition. They also stated that political retaliation would take place if they were to be made just a precinct instead of a separate town altogether.

Dedham asked for the procedure to be delayed by a year, while also agreeing that the services were indeed inadequate. On the other hand, they attempted to give a smaller amount of land than what the separatists had originally asked for. However, the General Court ruled in favor of the petitioners and that is how Needham was created.

Demographics and Population of Needham, MA

The population of Needham, MA is 30,735. The median age is 43.5 years (44.3 years for women and 42.7 years for men).

Age Distribution

The age distribution in Needham is as follows:

· Below 5 years: 5.1%

· 5 to 17: 21.8%

· 18 to 24: 6.7%

· 25 to 34: 6%

· 35 to 54: 28.1%

· 55 to 64: 13.4%

· Over 65 years: 18.9%

Educational Attainment

76% of the residents in Needham are college graduates and 3.5% are attending college at the moment. 97.8% of the individuals in Needham are high school graduates and 46.05% of them go ahead and acquire a Master’s degree.

Diversity in Needham

Majority of Needham’s population is White, coming up to 82.6%. 8.8% of them are Asians, 3.2% of them are Hispanic or Latino, 2.8% of them are Black or African American, and 2.4% of them are biracial or belong to other races.

Real Estate in Needham, MA: What Do the Numbers Say?

August 2021 recorded the median list price of homes in Needham to be $1.2M. The median listing price per square foot was recorded to be $428. During the same month in 2021, the homes in the town sold for 3.64% more than the average asking price. 81.6% of the residents of Needham have their own place and 18.4% of them are renters.

Types of Homes

Home Value by Number of Bedrooms

Getting a Home in Needham

Find a Local Agent

Click here to get in touch with real estate agents in Needham.

Rentals and Properties in Needham

Looking to rent a place in Nedham? Click here to check out some rentals in the town. Those wishing to buy a home can discover listings through this link.

Professions of Needham Residents

The per capita income in Needham is $78,995 as compared to US’ per capita income of $34,103. The median household income is $165,547, whereas the average median household income in the US is $62,843. Some of the professions chosen by the residents of Needham are:

· Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: 17.2%

· Healthcare: 17%

· Education: 15%

· Finance: 9.8%

· Retail: 7.3%

· Manufacturing: 6.1%

· Construction: 3.7%

· Accommodation: 3.1%

· Administration: 3%

· Real Estate: 2.7%

· Wholesale: 2.6%

· Public Service: 2.4%

· Information Technology: 2.1%

· Arts: 2%

Cost of Living in Needham, MA

The cost of living in Needham, MA is 67% higher than the national average. The housing expenses in the town are 188% over the national average and the prices of utilities are recorded as 41% more than US’ average. Transportation charges, grocery prices, and healthcare are 11%, 6%, and 35% over the national average respectively.

K-12 Schools in Needham MA

Needham offers quality education to all the students at different levels. Needham High has also been ranked as one of the most competent schools across the nation. There are various public schools and private schools parents can choose from.

Public Schools

The highly-rated public schools in Needham include:

· Needham High

· Pollard Middle

· High Rock School

· Broadmeadow

Private Schools

The best schools in Needham, MA in terms of private schools are as follows:

· St. Sebastian’s School

· The Walker School

· Theophany School

Kindergarten

If preschool options are what you are looking for, Needham has got you covered in that department as well with these names:

· Chestnut Children's Center

· A to Z Child Care & Preschool

· St. Joseph School

Crime Rate in Needham, MA

The crime rate in Needham, MA has an overall grade of A+, making it much safer than the average US city. Falling in the 98th percentile in terms of safety, only 2% of the places in the US are safer than Needham. During a standard year, the crime rate in the town is 7.74 per 1,000 residents, and the residents regard the northwestern region of the town to be the safest.

Commute to and from Needham

Commuting one-way in Needham takes 30.4 minutes on an average basis, which is longer than the national average of 26.4 minutes. 71.4% of them drive their own cars, 8.7% of them work from home, 10.6% of the population go for mass transit.

Commuter Trains

The commuter rail station in Needham is known as Needham Center, located on the MBTA Commuter Rail Needham Line. It takes about 38 minutes to travel from Needham to Boston using a commuter train. The MBTA bus service can be utilized in Needham via Bus Route 59.

Nearby Airports

There are many airports located near Needham, MA. Some of them include Boston Logan International Airport, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, New Bedford Regional Airport, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.

Community Life in Needham

Be it activities for the weekend or entertaining hangouts for your kids, Needham has numerous options for everyone:

Arlekin Players Theatre: Lovers of performing arts, residents can visit the Arlekin Players Theatre to drink a bit of art and culture.

Needham Free Public Library: The Needham Free Public Library has existed since 1888. It provides its members with plenty of important and resourceful information and materials.

DeFazio Park: Containing great facilities, DeFazio Park is a wonderful park for kids to visit.

Needham Town Forest: Looking for fun mountain biking trails? Go to Needham Town Forest for an exhilarating day.

Top Attractions to Visit in Needham

The attractions to witness and admire in Needham are as follows:

Cutler Park Reservation: A state-owned nature preserve, Cutler Park is a wonderful spot for birdwatching. You can also go hiking, boating, canoeing, and mountain biking at the park.

Echo Bridge: A historic place stretching between Needham and Newton in Massachusetts, the Echo Bridge is situated at the Hemlock Gorge Reservation.

Charles River Peninsula: A nature preserve that is 3-acre wide, the Charles River Peninsula gives you plenty of gorgeous views to enjoy.

Places of Worship in Needham

Needham has the following places of worship for the residents to visit:

Carter Memorial United Methodist Church
800 Highland Ave
Needham Heights, MA 02494
Contact: (781) 444-2460

Christ Episcopal Church
1132 Highland Ave
Needham, MA 02494
Contact: (781) 444-5791

First Baptist Church
858 Great Plain Ave
Needham, MA 02492
Contact: (781) 400-5867

Grace Lutheran Church
543 Greendale Ave
Needham, MA 02492
Contact: (781) 444-3315

Needham Congregational UCC
1154 Great Plain Ave
Needham, MA 02492
Contact: (781) 444-2510

Needham Presbyterian Church
1458 Great Plain Ave
Needham, MA 02492
Contact: (781) 444-3728

St. Joseph's Church
1360 Highland Ave
Needham, MA 02492
Contact: (781) 449-3744

Cornerstone Assembly of God
754 Greendale Ave
Needham, MA 2492
Contact: (781) 449-3035

Places to Eat in Needham

According to TripAdvisor, Needham has a variety of great restaurants, and some of the best ones to try out are as follows:

- Mandarin Cuisine

- Gari Japanese Fusion Bistro

- Hearth Pizzeria

- Sweet Basil

- The Farmhouse

- Spiga

- Blue on Highland

- Cappella Restaurant

- Masala Art

Comparison to Neighboring Towns

Click here to compare Needham MA to Wellesley MA

Click here to compare Needham MA to Newton MA.

Click here to compare Needham MA to Dedham MA.

Compare all the towns together by clicking here.

Is Needham a Good Place to Live In?

Anyone looking for a town with a safe neighborhood, good schools, and fascinating attractions, Needham is a wise option to go for. We hope our extensive and comprehensive blog post provides you with all the information you need regarding Needham, MA.

FAQs About Needham

Q: Which is a good toy store for kids in Needham?

A: Those looking for an innovative toy store in Needham can visit Architrave.

Q: How is the school system in Needham?

A: The education offered at the schools in Needham is truly commendable. Needham High, for example, is one of the highest-ranking schools in the country.

Q: Does Needham have LED streetlights?

A: Yes, Needham does have LED streetlights. They are energy-efficient and last much longer than HPS lights.

Q: When do I need a building permit in Needham?

A: A building permit is needed for any project including a structure that needs to be demolished, removed, repaired, constructed, reconstructed, or altered.