Needham CDP, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Needham CDP is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts. The total population is 32,059. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 248 cities and towns in Massachusetts.

Age Demographics

The median age in Needham CDP is 43.0 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.0 years. With 28.1% of the population under 18, Needham CDP has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Needham CDP is $212,241. This is 109% higher than the state median of $101,341. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 170% higher. The poverty rate stands at 3.8%. This is 62% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $1,146,000. Housing costs are 118% higher than the state median of $525,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 84.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Needham CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.5%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 6.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 12.9%.

Education

80.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Needham CDP in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 73% higher than the state rate of 46.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.4%. Notably, 51.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Needham CDP, Massachusetts is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Massachusetts state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts. For official data, visit data.census.gov.