Introduction

Wellesley is a town located in eastern Massachusetts in Norfolk County. Recognized as a part of the Greater Boston region, it is known to have one of the highest median household and family incomes in Massachusetts.

Providing a wonderful suburban feel to its residents, Wellesley is considered as one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. There are plenty of activities offered within this quaint town to make it a perfect residential location for singles and families alike.

Quick Facts About Wellesley, MA

• Wellesley is great to live with your family.
• The town is well-known for its public schools.
• There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in Wellesley.
• The Algonquin Native Americans were the first residents of the area that is now known as Wellesley.
• Wellesley was known as West Needham for quite a long time.
• Wellesley is home to the famous Wellesley College that is reputed for its liberal arts education.
• Some of the famous people to have studied in Wellesley College include Madame Chiang Kai-Shek 1917, Madeleine Albright, Diane Sawyer, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Persis Drell, Robin Chase, Desiree Rogers, Nergis Mavalvala, and Ophelia Dahl DS.
• The Wellesley Alumnae Network is often known as the most powerful women’s network in the world.
• George Washington rode through Wellesley in 1789, after which the path got named in his honor.
• During the 1800s, the underground railroad in Wellesley was utilized to help runaway slaves get their freedom.
• In 2008, a resident of Wellesley arranged for The Beach Boys to perform a concert in the town.

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History of Wellesley, MA

Over 350 years ago, a handful of men first settled the area around the Charles River that is now known as Wellesley. They were so ecstatic about their new town that they proceeded to name it ‘Contentment’. Despite the change in name over the centuries, the feeling of satisfaction and pride associated with Wellesley remains the same.

The settlement of Wellesley took place in the 1630s as a part of Dedham, Massachusetts. It was also known as West Needham as it also happened to be a part of Needham, Massachusetts. In 1981, the town of Wellesley had a Centennial Celebration, which was a year-long discovery of Wellesley, thereby adding further awareness of the town’s history for its residents.

In the 1630s, post negotiations with Indian Chiefs Nehoiden and Maugus, five pounds of currency and three pounds of corn were paid for by the first nineteen hardy pioneers for the land that later became Wellesley. When Wellesley was known as West Needham, it played the role of a small, quiet farming town throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The Revolutionary War at Concord, which took place on the 18th of April, 1775, had men from West Needham fighting in it. Less than a century later, they also fought at Gettysburg.

Demographics and Population of Wellesley, MA

The population of Wellesley, MA is 28,747, with the median age being 35.6 years (41.1 years for men and 31.1 years for men).

Age Distribution

Educational Attainment

The level of education in Wellesley is really high, which is why the literate population in the town is substantial. Only 0.95% of the population belongs to the category of having not gone above 9th grade. 1.18% of the population fall between the 9th to 12th grade category.

5.25% of the residents are high school graduates, 5.86% of them have gone to some college or the other, and 2.97% of them have an Associate’s Degree. The percentage of the population that holds a Bachelor’s Degree is 33.93% and those that have a Master’s Degree come up to 49.86%.

Diversity in Wellesley

The majority of the population in Wellesley is White, but it also has the presence of several other races, making it a diverse town. The White people make up 80.34% of the population. The population of Asians, biracial individuals, and Black or African Americans come up to 12.42%, 3.32%, and 2.9%. 0.09% of them are American Indians and Alaska Natives, and 0.07% of them are Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders.

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

In July of 2021, the median list price of the homes in Wellesley was $1.6M, going down by 4.6% from last year. The median sale price was $1.8M and the median listing price per square foot was $549. The homes in Wellesley sold for 2.32% above the asking price on average in July 2021.

On an average, the homes in Wellesley sell after 71 days of being on the market. 67.8% of the population in Wellesley own their homes and 32.3% of them are renters.

Types of Homes

Single-family homes are the most popular type of homes in Wellesley. The other categories include townhomes, small apartment buildings, apartment complexes, and mobile homes.

Home Value by Number of Bedrooms

Four-bedroom apartments are the most commonly found apartments in Wellesley, which serves well for those looking to settle in Wellesley with their big family.

Fields Chosen by the Residents of Wellesley MA

The per capita income in Wellesley is $85,784 and the median household income is $197,132. The prevalent industries and fields are:

• Education: 18.2%
• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: 16.9%
• Finance: 14.4%
• Healthcare: 12.8%
• Retail: 7.1%
• Manufacturing: 5.4%
• Information Technology: 4.2%
• Accommodation: 3.8%
• Real Estate: 3.3%
• Other: 2.8%
• Administration: 2.3%
• Arts: 2.2%

• Public Service: 2.2%

Cost of Living in Wellesley

The overall cost of living in Wellesley is 256. Groceries, health products, and housing make up 119.9, 83.9, and 581 respectively. The costs associated with utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous items come up to 107.7, 121.2, and 116.2 respectively. Wellesley’s cost of living is 96% higher compared to the national average.

K-12 Schools in Wellesley, MA

The education offered in Wellesley is immensely highly rated. The schools are not only locally recognized, but also nationally recognized. As per the 2021 school year, there are a total of 9 public schools serving 5,006 students in the Wellesley School District. The average testing ranking of this district is 10/10, which falls under the top 5% of the public schools in Massachusetts.

Public Schools

Some of the best public schools in the town include:

• Wellesley Senior High School
• John D. Hardy Elementary
• Sprague Elementary School
• Hunnewell Elementary School

Private Schools

Families and parents looking for good private schools in Wellesley, have the following options:

• The Dana Hall School>
• Tenacre Country Day School>
• St. Paul School>

Kindergarten

The kindergarten system in Wellesley is extremely efficient, ensuring that the initial educational years of your kid are well taken care of. Some of the best preschools in the town to select from are as follows:

• Montessori Day School of Wellesley Hills
• Tenacre Country Day School
• Abbott Wellsley Hills Children Learning Center
• Little Toes
• Wellesley Hills Center For Early Education

After-School Activities

For after-school activities in Wellesley, families can look up the following places:

- Wellesley Community Children’s Center

- Wellesley Recreation

- Tenacre Country Day School

- Saint John School

Colleges in Wellesley MA

Wellesley MA has two extremely reputed colleges that the students can attend to pursue their further education. They are:

Wellesley College

Founded in 1870, Wellesley College has constantly been devoted towards the education of women who want to make a difference. Every year, the college witnesses about 2400 students attempting to challenge their own limitations and managing to exceed expectations.

The name that is now associated with a solid liberal arts education has produced several noteworthy names who have gone on to make a mark in the world. Some of those names include Emily Greene Balch (who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946), Mary Whiton Calkins (who developed one of the very first psychology laboratories in the United States back in 1891), Nora Ephron, Hillary Clinton, and Madeleine Albright.

Babson College

Babson College follows the ideology that entrepreneurship can help you succeed in different fields, no matter the size of the organization. Being a pioneer in the department of entrepreneurial education, it teaches its students how to make an impact and solve issues on the basis on entrepreneurial actions and thoughts.

Crime Rate in Wellesley

The overall crime grade of the town is B, meaning that the crime rate in Wellesley, MA is slightly lower than the average US city. As far as safety is concerned, it falls under the 67th percentile, entailing that only 33% of the cities are safer than Wellesley.

During a standard year, the crime rate is 20.44 per 1,000 residents. The southeast part of the city is considered to be the safest by the residents of Wellesley. The police are very responsive to the situations, requests, and complaints of the residents.

Commute to and from Wellesley

The transportation services in Wellesley offer its residents convenient ways to travel in and around the town. In 2021, the Wellesley Annual Town Meeting decided to adopt measures in order to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050, with a 75% reduction by 2040 along with interim goals of a 50% reduction by 2030.

Commuter Trains

Wellesley Hills, Wellesley Square, and Wellesley Farms are the major MBTA Commuter Rail stations in the town of Wellesley. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the Boston area by a commuter train from Wellesley.

Bus Connectivity

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) provides a fixed route bus service in the town. Residents can also make use of the Wellesley College Senate bus, which is a shuttle bus service, and connects the famous Wellesley College to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Highways

The Highway Division of Wellesley helps in maintaining and repairing the streets, roads, street signs, sidewalks, and all surface and subsurface drainage systems. The division:

• Installs and repairs the curbs
• Contributes to winter maintenance
• Installs and replaces damaged street signs, guardrails, and traffic control signs
• Seals, resurfaces, and repairs street and sidewalk cracks

Nearby Airports

The international airports in Wellesley are:

• Boston Logan International Airport
• Bradley International Airport
• Portland International Jetport
• LaGuardia Airport
• John F. Kennedy International Airport
• Newark Liberty International Airport

Community Life in Wellesley

The residents and families living in Wellesley have only the best things to say about the town. They believe that not only is it a brilliant place to live in, but it’s also great to raise a family owing to the high safety and numerous fun activities it has to offer. The people are known to be helpful and welcoming, and the community is warm and vibrant.

The community life in Wellesley MA is clearly visible through the following places:

Wellesley Housing Authority: A state-funded and federally-funded public housing authority, the Wellesley Housing Authority (WHA) contains family properties, elderly properties, and rental vouchers to aid the residents with housing.

Waterstone at Wellesley: The only senior living community in Wellesley MA, Waterstone at Wellesley provides assisted living and independent living opportunities. Those aged 62 and above can avail the facilities offered by Waterstone at Wellesley and come across opportunities, activities, and programs that activate one’s spirit, body, and mind. The residential options are such that they include numerous alluring features including fine dining, fitness centers, personal trainers, and exciting outings. The health and wellness goals of each individual are well taken care of at this facility.

Turning Life On: Turning Life On was built to improve the lives of the children in Wellesley. It brings together parents, medical professionals, and schools to accept digital wellness in a manner such that the kids can have access to safe and healthy technology. Strategies that are based on extensive research are applied in order to provide a healthy balance of screen time and human interactions. This amalgamation is created to provide a better life to the young minds of the town.

Activities for Kids in Wellesley

Wellesley provides a fun and motivating atmosphere for kids of all ages. If you want to keep your child engaged through invigorating ways, here are some of the places you can take them to:

Fun With DOH: This place enables the kids to play alone as well as with other kids using various forms of creativity.

Wayne Potash: With Wayne Potash and his music, your kids are bound to enjoy to the fullest, be it for their birthday party or any other occasion.

Music Together Beyond the Hub: Does your child enjoy music? If they are indeed musically-oriented, Music Together Beyond the Hub has a variety of music classes for them where they can learn and polish their talent.

Code Ninjas: Coding is not only an interesting talent to have, but also something you can develop on for it to become a career in the future. If your child is intrigued by coding, Code Ninjas teaches them how to code by allowing them to build their very own video games. The convenient drop-in hours also make it easier for the parents to take their kids to their coding class at a time that works best for them.

Places of Interest

Want to enjoy an exhilarating weekend with your friends, partner, or family? Wellesley’s multiple venues have got you covered:

The Paint Bar: Let your creative juices shine at The Paint Bar. They have also been offering virtual classes, and the residents can avail the establishment’s membership at any given time.

Level99: A venue that holds both social and corporate events, Level99 has locally crafted food and beverages, live-action entertainment with a real-life game world, and multiple other forms of entertainment.

Puzzle Break Newton - Escape Room: Who doesn’t love participating in escape rooms with their friends? Visit the Puzzle Break Newton - Escape Room for an evening filled with games and a rush of adrenaline.

The Gardens at Elm Bank, Massachusetts Horticultural Society: Those interested in plants, gardening, and the natural world, visit The Gardens at Elm Bank to learn about horticulture and more.

Top Attractions to Visit in Wellesley

The cultural richness of Wellesley is clearly displayed through these top attractions:

Wellesley Historical Society

Founded in 1925 and incorporated in 1965, the Wellesley Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that is funded with the help of grants, fundraising events, membership dues, and the annual appeal. The Society aims to serve as the resource center in order to provide educational programs and display and interpret pieces of the town’s history.

Town Hall Green

Weekly concerts are hosted at the Town Hall Green every summer. All kinds of musical groups perform at the venue where the residents enjoy the beautiful weather while listening to the peaceful music and relishing the delicious snacks available around the place.

Walter Hunnewell Arboretum

The Walter Hunnewell Arboretum houses both native and non-native trees in habitat collections. It covers a 22-acre area containing over 500 species of woody plants, with the property being a former estate dating back to 1843. The arboretum is named after the original estate owner, who brought in planted species from all over the world and imported 2,000 trees from England to make them a part of his gardens.

Wellesley Symphony Orchestra

The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra is a regional orchestra that has been a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for the longest time. Founded in 1948, it was created by violinists, Rolland Tapley and Mrs. William Vogler. The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra became an orchestra-in-residence at MassBay Community College in 1984. It is also a nonprofit institution that provides Wellesley and the surrounding communities with impeccable musical programs.

Places of Worship in Wellesley

The following are some of the places of worship in Wellesley:

Christ United Methodist Church
2 Brook St
Wellesley, MA 02482
Contact: (781) 235-7569

First Congregational Church Wellesley
207 Washington St
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
Contact: (781) 235-4424

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
79 Denton Rd
Wellesley, MA 02482
Contact: (781) 235-7310

St. John the Evangelist Church
9 Glen Rd
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
Contact: (781) 235-0045

St. Paul's Catholic Church
502 Washington St
Wellesley, MA 02482
Contact: (781) 235-1060

Wellesley Baptist Church
42 Elmwood Rd
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
Contact: (781) 235-6025

First Church of Christ
8 Rockland St
Wellesley, MA 2481
Contact: (781) 235-1114

Places to Eat in Wellesley

From Korean, Latin, and Asian, to Lebanese, Cantonese, and Italian, Wellesley offers a variety of cuisines to its residents through its eateries. As per TripAdvisor , here are some of the best restaurants to try out:

- Linden Store

- Juniper

- Bocado Tapas Bar

- Truly’s

- Alta Strada

- The Cottage

- Papa Razzi Wellesley

- Cafe Mangal

- Captain Marden's Seafoods

- Singh's Café

- Yama Japanese Restaurant

- Comella's

Comparison to Neighboring Towns

Click here to compare Wellesley MA to Needham MA.

Click here to compare Wellesley MA to Dover MA.

Click here to compare Wellesley MA to Natick MA.

Compare all the towns together by clicking here .

Is Wellesley a Good Place to Live In?

Wellesley is one of the most beautiful towns in Massachusetts. The rich history and culture of the town are enough for the residents to keep exploring. The safe ambience of Wellesley makes it a secure residential town for anyone planning to move to the area.

The eclectic venues and points of interest offer plenty of activities for the young crowd and families living in Wellesley. There are plenty of neighborhoods in the town for you to have a luxurious and comfortable lifestyle.

We at Nextburb ensure that you get the full picture of an area, town, or neighborhood before deciding it to be your future home. Our recommendations are based on your budget and lifestyle preferences, enabling you to pick a place that best suits your needs.

FAQs About Wellesley

Q: Is living in Wellesley expensive?

A: Living in Wellesley is pretty expensive. In fact, it is almost double the US average.

Q: What is the school system like in Wellesley?

A: Wellesley’s public school system is quite highly rated. The Wellesley High School was also once voted as the 70th best high school in the US.

Q: What is something interesting about a liberal arts education in Wellesley?

A: An interesting bit to note down about getting a liberal arts education in Wellesley is that the famous women’s only college, Wellesley College, is the 3rd best liberal arts college in the country.

Q: What do the residents of Wellesley have to say about the town?

A: The residents of Wellesley only have nice things to say about the town. They say that it is a wonderful town to grow in and also raise a family. The people are welcoming to the newbies and the diversity of the town has been slowly increasing as well. The education offered in Wellesley MA prepares your kids very well for the future, be it for college or even to enter the workforce. Wellesley MA offers great safety for the residents to feel comfortable to roam around the town with their family at any given time of the day.

Q: Does Wellesley College accept male students?

A: No, Wellesley College doesn’t accept applications from male students and is solely committed to the education of women.

Q: Is Wellesley MA safe?

A: Wellesley MA has a low crime rate and falls in the list of the 100 safest places in the United States.