Needham, MA

Census Place

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2024 Population
32,459
US Senator
Elizabeth Warren
Democratic Party
US Senator
Ed Markey
Democratic Party
2024 Median Age
43.1
0.233% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
3.67%
2.29% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$214,308
0.974% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$1.19M
3.71% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
16,025
2.31% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Needham, MA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.9% of the residents in Needham, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Needham, MA are Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (85 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Needham, MA was $1.19M, and the homeownership rate was 83.1%.

Most people in Needham, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Needham, MA was 2 cars per household.

United StatesMassachusettsNorfolk County, MABoston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NHMiddlesex County--Newton & Waltham PUMA, MABoston City--Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale & West Roxbury PUMA, MANorfolk County (Northwest)--Needham, Wellesley & Westwood PUMA, MANorfolk County--Brookline, Milton & Dedham PUMA, MA

Population & Diversity

Needham, MA is home to a population of 32.5k people, from which 94.9% are citizens. As of 2024, 16.7% of Needham, MA residents were born outside of the country (5.42k people).

In 2024, there were 8.15 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (26.2k people) in Needham, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.22k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 879 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.9%
2024 Citizenship
95.3%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 94.9% of Needham, MA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Needham, MA was 95.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Needham, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Needham, MA
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    26.2k ± 751
  2. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
    3.22k ± 651
  3. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
    879 ± 380
3.63%
Hispanic Population
1.18k people

In 2024, there were 8.15 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (26.2k people) in Needham, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.22k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 879 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

3.63% of the people in Needham, MA are hispanic (1.18k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Needham, MA as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.
Most Common Origin
  1. China
    103,356 ± 7,834 people
  2. Brazil
    101,793 ± 7,776 people
  3. Dominican Republic
    101,190 ± 7,753 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 103,356 Massachusetts residents, followed by Brazil with 101,793 and Dominican Republic with 101,190.

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Foreign-Born Population

16.7%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
5.42k people
16.7%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
5.36k people

As of 2024, 16.7% of Needham, MA residents (5.42k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Needham, MA was 16.7%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Needham, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    216 ± 86
  2. Gulf War (1990s)
    123 ± 125
  3. Gulf War (2001-)
    97 ± 99

Needham, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.76 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Needham, MA.

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Economy

The economy of Needham, MA employs 16k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Needham, MA were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (3,229 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,456 people), and Educational Services (2,174 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($250,001), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($183,911), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($180,106).

Employment

Occupations

16k
2024 Value
± 924
2.31%
1 Year growth
± 8.01%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Needham, MA grew at a rate of 2.31%, from 15.7k employees to 16k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Needham, MA, are Management Occupations (3,438 people), Business & Financial Operations Occupations (1,878 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (1,511 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Needham, MA.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Massachusetts (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

16k
2024 Value
± 924
2.31%
1 Year growth
± 8.01%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Needham, MA grew at a rate of 2.31%, from 15.7k employees to 16k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Needham, MA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (3,229 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,456 people), and Educational Services (2,174 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Needham, MA, though some of these residents may live in Needham, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$153,629
Median earning men ± $13,648
$79,713
Median earning women ± $6,498

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($224,500), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($197,167), and Retail Trade ($180,646).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Construction ($195,694), Wholesale Trade ($170,800), and Manufacturing ($132,375).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.
Y-Axis
2.61%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.67M people employed in Massachusetts. This represents a 2.61% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 17.5%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Massachusetts.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Kamala Harris with 61.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36%), followed by Other (1.48%).

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing the state of Massachusetts. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Needham, MA. Showing the available data for Massachusetts.
2024 Election Results
  1. Kamala Harris (61.2%)
    Democratic Party
  2. Donald J. Trump (36%)
    Republican Party
  3. Other (1.48%)
    Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Kamala Harris with 61.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36%), followed by Other (1.48%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Massachusetts for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Massachusetts

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.
Elizabeth Warren
Senator from Massachusetts1
Assumed office on January 3, 2013
Ed Markey
Senator from Massachusetts2
Assumed office on July 16, 2013
Elected to the seat to succeed Mo Cowan, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of John Kerry, who had become Secretary of State.

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing Massachusetts.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Massachusetts over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Needham, MA awarded 85 degrees. The student population of Needham, MA in 2023 is skewed towards men, with 208 male students and 194 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Needham, MA are White (24 and 31.6%), Asian (19 and 25%), Two or More Races (12 and 15.8%), and Hispanic or Latino (9 and 11.8%).

The largest universities in Needham, MA by number of degrees awarded are Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (85 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Needham, MA are General Engineering (39 and 45.9%), Mechanical Engineering (28 and 32.9%), and Electrical & Electronics Engineering (18 and 21.2%).

The median tuition cost in Needham, MA for private four year colleges is $59,972.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Needham, MA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 21.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 48.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 402 (51.7% men and 48.3% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 402 students enrolled in Needham, MA, 51.7% men and 48.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 162 records, of which 48.1% were women and 51.9% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Engineering
    39 degrees awarded
  2. Mechanical Engineering
    28 degrees awarded
  3. Electrical & Electronics Engineering
    18 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Needham, MA was General Engineering with 39 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Needham, MA according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
85 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Franklin W Olin College of Engineering with 85 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 35 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Needham, MA, which is 0.7 times less than the 50 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 24 degrees mean that there were 1.26 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 19 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($59,972) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,830) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($216) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Needham, MA was $1.19M in 2024, which is 3.57 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $1.15M to $1.19M, a 3.71% increase. The homeownership rate in Needham, MA is 83.1%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Needham, MA have an average commute time of 27.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Needham, MA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$1.19M
Median Property Value 2024
±$43,035
$9,632
Median Property Taxes
±$540

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Needham, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Needham, MA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

83.1%
Homeownership
2024
63.6%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 83.1% of the housing units in Needham, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 84.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Needham, MA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$214,308
Median Household Income
± $13,048
11.6k
Number of Households
± 708

In 2024, the median household income of the 11.6k households in Needham, MA grew to $214,308 from the previous year's value of $212,241.

The following chart displays the households in Needham, MA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Needham, MA is from Massachusetts.
0.478
2023 Wage GINI in Massachusetts
0.48
2022 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2023, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.478 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.384% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Massachusetts in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Massachusetts across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (52.7%)
  2. Worked At Home (32.4%)
  3. Public Transit (7.55%)

In 2024, 52.7% of workers in Needham, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (32.4%) and those who used public transit to get to work (7.55%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

27.7 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Needham, MA have a longer commute time (27.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 0.489% of the workforce in Needham, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Needham, MA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Needham, MA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Needham, MA have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

3.67% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Needham, MA (1.16k out of 31.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Males 65 - 74 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Needham, MA is White, followed by Two Or More and Asian.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

98.8% of the population of Needham, MA has health coverage, with 72.1% on employee plans, 3.39% on Medicaid, 11.9% on Medicare, 11.4% on non-group plans, and 0.0622% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Massachusetts see 990 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (990 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 915 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 130 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 29.1% under 18 years, 10% between 18 and 34 years, 43.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

1.19%
Uninsured
72.1%
Employer Coverage
3.39%
Medicaid
11.9%
Medicare
11.4%
Non-Group
0.0622%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Needham, MA declined by 2.57% from 1.23% to 1.19%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Needham, MA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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