Needham, MA Demographics

A map of Needham's Population by Race

Needham, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 32,459, a slight increase from the 32,091 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 80.8% White, 9.9% Asian, 3.6% Hispanic, 3.4% Multiracial, 1.5% Black, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Needham, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Needham is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Massachusetts overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Needham, that probability was 33.1% in 2020 and 33.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Needham is ranked the 46th most populous place in Massachusetts, out of 248 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Needham was ranked the 46th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Needham's White Population

26,234 residents of Needham, or 80.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Needham is considerably higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Needham ranks 157th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Needham's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Needham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 80.8%.

Needham is more White than neighboring Dover (72.2% White), Wellesley (67.6% White), Newton (68.4% White), Dedham (78.8% White), and Norwood (68.6% White).

Needham's Black Population

478 residents of Needham, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Needham is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Needham ranks 144th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Needham's Black population has grown by an estimated 5.8%. Black residents' share of Needham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.5%.

Needham is more Black than neighboring Dover (0% Black). Needham is less Black than neighboring Wellesley (2.1% Black), Newton (2.4% Black), Dedham (6.4% Black), and Norwood (6.7% Black).

Needham's Asian Population

3,218 residents of Needham, or 9.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Needham is slightly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Needham ranks 26th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Needham's Asian population has grown by an estimated 6.1%. Asian residents' share of Needham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 9.9%.

Needham is more Asian than neighboring Dedham (2.8% Asian), and Norwood (6.7% Asian). Needham is less Asian than neighboring Dover (14.4% Asian), Wellesley (15.9% Asian), and Newton (17.4% Asian).

Needham's Hispanic Population

1,179 residents of Needham, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Needham is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Needham ranks 138th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Needham's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 3.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Needham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.6%.

Needham is more Hispanic than neighboring Dover (1.1% Hispanic). Needham is less Hispanic than neighboring Wellesley (7.4% Hispanic), Newton (4.5% Hispanic), Dedham (7.9% Hispanic), and Norwood (10% Hispanic).

Needham's Native American/Other Population

240 residents of Needham, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Needham is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Needham ranks 179th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Needham's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 17.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Needham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Needham is more Native American/Other than neighboring Wellesley (0.6% Native American/Other), and Dedham (0.2% Native American/Other). Needham is less Native American/Other than neighboring Dover (2.6% Native American/Other), Newton (1.8% Native American/Other), and Norwood (2.7% Native American/Other).

Needham's Multiracial Population

1,110 residents of Needham, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Needham is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Needham ranks 154th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Needham's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 4.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Needham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.4%.

Needham is less Multiracial than neighboring Dover (9.7% Multiracial), Wellesley (6.4% Multiracial), Newton (5.5% Multiracial), Dedham (3.8% Multiracial), and Norwood (5.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.