Wellesley, MA Demographics

A map of Wellesley's Population by Race

Wellesley, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 30,347, a slight increase from the 29,550 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 67.6% White, 15.9% Asian, 7.4% Hispanic, 6.4% Multiracial, 2.1% Black, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Wellesley, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Wellesley has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is 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 Wellesley, that probability was 43.6% in 2020 and 50.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Wellesley is ranked the 50th 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). Wellesley was ranked the 52nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Wellesley's White Population

20,509 residents of Wellesley, or 67.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Wellesley is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Wellesley ranks 196th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wellesley's White population has declined by an estimated 5.3%. White residents' share of Wellesley's population has decreased from 73.3% to 67.6%.

Wellesley is more White than neighboring Waltham (57.6% White). Wellesley is less White than neighboring Needham (80.8% White), Dover (72.2% White), Cochituate (79.7% White), and Newton (68.4% White).

Wellesley's Black Population

626 residents of Wellesley, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Wellesley is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Wellesley ranks 111th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wellesley's Black population has grown by an estimated 6.5%. Black residents' share of Wellesley's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.1%.

Wellesley is more Black than neighboring Needham (1.5% Black), Dover (0% Black), and Cochituate (0.4% Black). Wellesley is less Black than neighboring Newton (2.4% Black), and Waltham (8.3% Black).

Wellesley's Asian Population

4,835 residents of Wellesley, or 15.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Wellesley is higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Wellesley ranks 15th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wellesley's Asian population has grown by an estimated 10.3%. Asian residents' share of Wellesley's population has increased from 14.8% to 15.9%.

Wellesley is more Asian than neighboring Needham (9.9% Asian), Dover (14.4% Asian), Cochituate (12.3% Asian), and Waltham (12.6% Asian). Wellesley is less Asian than neighboring Newton (17.4% Asian).

Wellesley's Hispanic Population

2,239 residents of Wellesley, or 7.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Wellesley is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Wellesley ranks 92nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wellesley's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 47.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Wellesley's population has increased from 5.2% to 7.4%.

Wellesley is more Hispanic than neighboring Needham (3.6% Hispanic), Dover (1.1% Hispanic), Cochituate (3.5% Hispanic), and Newton (4.5% Hispanic). Wellesley is less Hispanic than neighboring Waltham (15.9% Hispanic).

Wellesley's Native American/Other Population

195 residents of Wellesley, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Wellesley is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Wellesley ranks 128th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wellesley's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 20.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Wellesley's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Wellesley is less Native American/Other than neighboring Needham (0.7% Native American/Other), Dover (2.6% Native American/Other), Cochituate (1.2% Native American/Other), Newton (1.8% Native American/Other), and Waltham (1.3% Native American/Other).

Wellesley's Multiracial Population

1,943 residents of Wellesley, or 6.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Wellesley is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Wellesley ranks 133rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wellesley's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 67.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Wellesley's population has increased from 3.9% to 6.4%.

Wellesley is more Multiracial than neighboring Needham (3.4% Multiracial), Cochituate (3% Multiracial), Newton (5.5% Multiracial), and Waltham (4.3% Multiracial). Wellesley is less Multiracial than neighboring Dover (9.7% 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.