At a Glance
Median Income
$212,241
$100,288 per capita
Home Value
$1,146,000
Zillow: $1,494,789
Median Rent
$2,412/mo
37.9% of income on rent
Violent Crime
32/100K
432/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
80.8%
97.3% high school+
Unemployment
3.0%
3.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
21.1%
6.7% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
49°F
246 sunny days/yr
How Needham Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Needham's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Needham a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.6 / 5.0 — Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Needham residents earn a median household income of $212,241 , which is 182% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $100,288. The unemployment rate stands at 3.0% (17% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 3.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 26,156 business establishments, including 1,720 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Needham is $1,146,000 , 307% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $1,494,789. Median rent is $2,412/month, with 37.9% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 105.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1963.
Safety & Crime
Needham reports 32 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 92% below the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 432/100K. The murder rate is 0.0/100K.
Education
80.8% of adults in Needham hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(140% above the national average).
97.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 7.6/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Needham has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C).
Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 47.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.
Data Overview
People
Population32,059
Median Age43.0 yrs
Density2,606/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born13.6%
Veterans3.2%
Economy
A+
Median Income$212,241
Per Capita$100,288
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty3.0%
County GDP$75,071M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,625
Housing
B+
Home Value$1,146,000
Rent$2,412
Ownership84.3%
Zillow$1,494,789
Housing Units11,710
Rent Burden37.9%
Crime
F
Violent32/100K
Property432/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault26/100K
Burglary70/100K
Health
Obesity21.1%
Diabetes6.2%
Smoking6.7%
Heart Disease3.7%
Premature Death4,629/100K
Climate
Avg Temp49°F
Sunny Days246/yr
Rain47.3 in/yr
AQI37 (Good)
Elevation164 ft
Education
A+
Bachelor's+80.8%
High School+97.3%
Graduate+50.0%
School Score7.6/10
Community
2024 VoteR 35% / D 63%
Commute29 min
Broadband94.8%
Internet Speed235 Mbps
EV Stations17
Libraries38
Did You Know?
The median home in Needham was built in 1963.
28.8% work from home.
The nearest airport is General Edward Lawrence Logan International (13 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.489 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
7.1% of the population has a disability.
13.6% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 235 Mbps.
There are 1,720 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 43 fatal vehicle crashes.