Wellesley, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wellesley, Massachusetts had a total population of 30,347, the 50th largest community in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $250,000+, which is 140% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 140% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Massachusetts.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.0% — among the lowest in Massachusetts.
- 89.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Massachusetts.
Wellesley Quick Facts
How Wellesley 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 | 29,906 | 30,347 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $250,000+ | $250,000+ | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $1,513,400 | $1,582,700 | +4.6% |
How Wellesley 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wellesley 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 |
| Needham | 32,459 | $214,308 | 3.7% | $1,188,500 |
| Norwood | 31,542 | $107,030 | 8.8% | $651,700 |
| Milton | 28,587 | $188,529 | 4.7% | $933,200 |
| Dedham | 25,237 | $128,955 | 5.6% | $661,800 |
Cities Similar to Wellesley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needham | 32,459 | $214,308 | $1,188,500 | 81.9% | 3.7% |
| Lexington | 34,295 | $238,444 | $1,203,100 | 84.3% | 4.7% |
| Milton | 28,587 | $188,529 | $933,200 | 72.0% | 4.7% |
| Belmont | 27,175 | $183,137 | $1,159,000 | 80.9% | 3.6% |
| Winchester | 23,406 | $230,198 | $1,215,200 | 79.5% | 4.7% |
Population Overview
Wellesley is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Norfolk County. The total population is 30,347. It ranks as the 50th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wellesley is 37.1 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wellesley is $250,000+. This is 140% higher than the state median of $103,960. It is also 210% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.0%. This is 61% 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 $1,582,700. Housing costs are 182% higher than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 84.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wellesley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.6% of the population. Asian residents account for 15.9%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (15.9% vs 7.2%).
Education
89.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Wellesley in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 88% 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 98.8%. Notably, 56.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wellesley, 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 Wellesley, Massachusetts?
Wellesley, Massachusetts has a population of 30,347 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wellesley, MA?
The median household income in Wellesley is $250,000+, which is 210% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wellesley, MA?
The poverty rate in Wellesley is 4.0%. This means approximately 1,006 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wellesley, Massachusetts?
Wellesley's population is 67.6% White, 2.1% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 15.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wellesley, MA?
The median home value in Wellesley is $1,582,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is Wellesley, Massachusetts?
89.0% of adults (25+) in Wellesley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 56.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.