Needham, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Needham, Massachusetts had a total population of 32,459, the 46th largest community in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $214,308, which is 106% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 106% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Massachusetts.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.7% — among the lowest in Massachusetts.
- 81.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Massachusetts.
Needham Quick Facts
How Needham Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,059 | 32,459 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $212,241 | $214,308 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $1,146,000 | $1,188,500 | +3.7% |
How Needham Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Needham Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Norfolk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quincy | 102,114 | $98,882 | 10.6% | $618,500 |
| Brookline | 63,266 | $142,101 | 8.7% | $1,246,800 |
| Weymouth Town | 58,505 | $102,714 | 7.7% | $552,100 |
| Braintree Town | 38,899 | $122,214 | 5.9% | $656,800 |
| Randolph Town | 34,878 | $109,573 | 8.4% | $496,400 |
| Franklin Town | 33,154 | $145,773 | 5.9% | $611,700 |
| Norwood | 31,542 | $107,030 | 8.8% | $651,700 |
| Wellesley | 30,347 | $250,000+ | 4.0% | $1,582,700 |
| Milton | 28,587 | $188,529 | 4.7% | $933,200 |
| Dedham | 25,237 | $128,955 | 5.6% | $661,800 |
Cities Similar to Needham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | 34,295 | $238,444 | $1,203,100 | 84.3% | 4.7% |
| Wellesley | 30,347 | $250,000+ | $1,582,700 | 89.0% | 4.0% |
| Milton | 28,587 | $188,529 | $933,200 | 72.0% | 4.7% |
| Franklin Town | 33,154 | $145,773 | $611,700 | 58.1% | 5.9% |
| Belmont | 27,175 | $183,137 | $1,159,000 | 80.9% | 3.6% |
Population Overview
Needham is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Norfolk County. The total population is 32,459. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Needham is 43.1 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Needham is $214,308. This is 106% higher than the state median of $103,960. It is also 165% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.7%. This is 63% 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 4.4%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $1,188,500. Housing costs are 111% higher than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 83.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Needham is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 9.9%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 13.3%.
Education
81.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Needham in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 73% higher than the state rate of 47.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.7%. Notably, 49.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Needham, Massachusetts is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Needham, Massachusetts?
Needham, Massachusetts has a population of 32,459 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Needham, MA?
The median household income in Needham is $214,308, which is 165% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Needham, MA?
The poverty rate in Needham is 3.7%. This means approximately 1,160 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Needham, Massachusetts?
Needham's population is 80.8% White, 1.5% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Needham, MA?
The median home value in Needham is $1,188,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Needham, Massachusetts?
81.9% of adults (25+) in Needham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 49.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.