Needham, MA

Census Place

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2021 Population

31,808

2.02% 1-year growth

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

43.4

1.14% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

2.34%

0.781% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$182,813

4.64% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$939,800

4.4% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

15,440

5.02% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Needham, MA had a population of 31.8k people with a median age of 43.4 and a median household income of $182,813. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Needham, MA grew from 31,177 to 31,808, a 2.02% increase and its median household income grew from $174,707 to $182,813, a 4.64% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Needham, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (81.6%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (9.28%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.58%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (2.27%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (2.04%).

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.

95.1% of the residents in Needham, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Needham, MA are Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (441982) (76 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Needham, MA was $939,800, and the homeownership rate was 84.4%.

Most people in Needham, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 31.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Needham, MA was 2 cars per household.

United States Massachusetts Norfolk County, MA Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Norfolk (Northeast) & Middlesex (Southeast) Counties (West of Boston City) PUMA, MA

Population & Diversity

Needham, MA is home to a population of 31.8k people, from which 95.1% are citizens. As of 2021, 15.3% of Needham, MA residents were born outside of the country (4.85k people).

In 2021, there were 8.79 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (25.9k people) in Needham, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.95k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 821 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.1%

2021 Citizenship

96%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 95.1% of Needham, MA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Needham, MA was 96%, 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.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Needham, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
25.9k ± 916
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
2.95k ± 622
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
821 ± 304

4.18%

Hispanic Population

1.33k people

4.18% of the people in Needham, MA are hispanic (1.33k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Needham, MA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.

Most Common Origin

China
102,889 ± 7,817 people
Dominican Republic
98,796 ± 7,662 people
Brazil
87,929 ± 7,234 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 102,889 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 98,796 and Brazil with 87,929.

Foreign-Born Population

15.3%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

4.85k people

13.8%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

4.3k people

As of 2021, 15.3% of Needham, MA residents (4.85k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Needham, MA was 13.8%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
190 ± 94
Gulf War (1990s)
160 ± 130
Korea
105 ± 74

Needham, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.19 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Needham, MA employs 15.4k people. The largest industries in Needham, MA are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (2,706 people), Educational Services (2,633 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (2,504 people), and the highest paying industries are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($250,001), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($250,001), and Finance & Insurance ($157,063).

Males in Massachusetts have an average income that is 1.31 times higher than the average income of females, which is $74,737. The income inequality in Massachusetts (measured using the Gini index) is 0.48, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

15.4k

2021 Value

± 921

5.02%

1 Year growth

± 8.04%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Needham, MA grew at a rate of 5.02%, from 14.7k employees to 15.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Needham, MA, are Management Occupations (2,839 people), Business & Financial Operations Occupations (1,878 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (1,859 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Needham, MA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

15.4k

2021 Value

± 921

5.02%

1 Year growth

± 8.04%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Needham, MA grew at a rate of 5.02%, from 14.7k employees to 15.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Needham, MA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (2,706 people), Educational Services (2,633 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (2,504 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$127,619

Median earning men ± $16,071

$67,108

Median earning women ± $11,521

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($163,269), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($156,431), and Manufacturing ($155,429).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($250,001), Manufacturing ($160,313), and Wholesale Trade ($123,447).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Massachusetts. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $37.1B, followed by Mixed freight ($29.7B) and Electronics ($28.8B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Massachusetts products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts.

$296B

2020 Value in Massachusetts

$627B

Projected 2050 Value in Massachusetts

112% growth

In 2020, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $296B. This is expected to increase 112% to $627B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Massachusetts trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Most Common Trade Partners

New York
$28.8B
New Hampshire
$20.3B
Connecticut
$14.2B

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $28.8B, followed by New Hampshire with $20.3B and Connecticut and $14.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Massachusetts shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 65.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.29%).

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Needham, MA. Showing the available data for Massachusetts.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (65.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (31.9%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.29%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 65.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.29%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Massachusetts for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Massachusetts

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Elizabeth Warren

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ed Markey

Senator from Massachusetts

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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Massachusetts

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Massachusetts have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Needham, MA awarded 76 degrees. The student population of Needham, MA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 183 male students and 199 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Needham, MA are White (37 and 53.6%), followed by Asian (11 and 15.9%), Hispanic or Latino (7 and 10.1%), and Black or African American (5 and 7.25%).

The largest universities in Needham, MA by number of degrees awarded are Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (441982) (76 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Needham, MA are General Engineering (33 and 43.4%), Electrical & Electronics Engineering (22 and 28.9%), and Mechanical Engineering (21 and 27.6%).

The median tuition cost in Needham, MA for private four year colleges is $55,612.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Needham, MA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 18%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 55.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 382 (47.9% men and 52.1% 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.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 382 students enrolled in Needham, MA, 47.9% men and 52.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 151 records, of which 52.3% were women and 47.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Engineering
33 degrees awarded
Electrical & Electronics Engineering
22 degrees awarded
Mechanical Engineering
21 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Needham, MA was General Engineering with 33 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (441982)

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

76 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (441982) with 76 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 35 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Needham, MA, which is 0.854 times less than the 41 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 37 degrees mean that there were 3.36 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 11 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($55,612) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($730) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 1.06% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.14% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.35M), Bachelors Degree (1.33M), and Some college (1.01M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Needham, MA was $939,800 in 2021, which is 3.84 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $900,200 to $939,800, a 4.4% increase. The homeownership rate in Needham, MA is 84.4%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Needham, MA have an average commute time of 31.4 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.

Median household income in Needham, MA is $182,813. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Needham, MA was Census Tract 4033 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 4572 and Census Tract 4031, with respective values of $191,414 and $184,931.

Housing

Property

$939,800

Median Property Value 2021

±$23,387

$9,507

Median Property Taxes

±$530

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.

Rent vs Own

84.4%

Homeownership

2021

62.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 84.4% of the housing units in Needham, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 84.5%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 4033
Census Tract 4572
Census Tract 4031

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Needham, MA was Census Tract 4033 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 4572 and Census Tract 4031, with respective values of $191,414 and $184,931.

The following map shows all of the places in Needham, MA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$182,813

Median Household Income

± $17,093

11.3k

Number of Households

± 732

In 2021, the median household income of the 11.3k households in Needham, MA grew to $182,813 from the previous year's value of $174,707.

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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Needham, MA is from Massachusetts.

0.48

2021 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.48

2020 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2021, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.48 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0427% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (63.3%)
Worked At Home (19.4%)
Public Transit (10.6%)

In 2021, 63.3% of workers in Needham, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (19.4%) and those who used public transit to get to work (10.6%).

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.

Commute Time

31.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Needham, MA have a longer commute time (31.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.55% 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.

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.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

2.34% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Needham, MA (726 out of 31k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 65 - 74, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 65 - 74.

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

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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

98.9% of the population of Needham, MA has health coverage, with 69.5% on employee plans, 4.14% on Medicaid, 13.4% on Medicare, 11.8% on non-group plans, and 0.0477% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Norfolk County, MA see 780 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.889% decrease from the previous year (787 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 803 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 150 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Norfolk County, MA.

780 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Norfolk County, MA

Primary care physicians in Norfolk County, MA see an average of 780 patients per year. This represents a 0.889% decrease from the previous year (787 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Norfolk County, MA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 29.1% under 18 years, 10% between 18 and 34 years, 42.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 18% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.7% were men and 53.3% were women.

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

Uninsured People

1.07%

Uninsured

69.5%

Employer Coverage

4.14%

Medicaid

13.4%

Medicare

11.8%

Non-Group

0.0477%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Needham, MA declined by 15.1% from 1.26% to 1.07%.

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.