Needham, MA 02492 · 02494
Needham Real Estate
A town incorporated in 1711, four Needham Line stations and the Charles River along much of its edge
Updated
- ZIP codes
- 02492 · 02494
- Getting around
- Needham Line commuter rail at Needham Heights, Needham Center, Needham Junction and Hersey; Route 128/I-95 through the northeast of town
- Typical homes
- Colonials, Capes and ranches on suburban lots, with newer replacement homes and some townhouse condos near the centers
Settled in the late 1600s and incorporated in 1711, Needham still centers on its Town Common, where the Georgian Revival Town Hall faces Great Plain Avenue. The Charles River loops around much of the town's edge, and Route 128 cuts across the northeastern part of town. Two ZIP codes split the town, with Needham proper around the center and Needham Heights to the north along Highland Avenue. Wellesley was once part of Needham, until its West Parish became a separate town in 1881.
Errands tend to happen in Needham Center, where Great Plain Avenue, Chapel Street and Highland Avenue hold shops, the library and the Common, or up in Needham Heights along Highland Avenue. Near the highway, the Needham Crossing business district has grown up around office and media buildings. For green space there is the DCR's Cutler Park Reservation along the Charles, the trails of the Needham Town Forest, and the Rosemary Recreation Complex by Rosemary Lake. Olin College of Engineering sits on Great Plain Avenue near the Wellesley line.
With four commuter rail stations spread along a single line, it is worth noting which one a given street is closest to. Needham Heights and Needham Center put shops and the train within a short walk, while Hersey and Needham Junction serve the southern and eastern parts of town.
Living in Needham
What makes Needham special
Town Common
The historic core of Needham, framed by the Georgian Revival Town Hall and home to seasonal events such as the Blue Tree lighting.
Needham Line stations
Hersey, Needham Junction, Needham Center and Needham Heights all sit on the Needham Line, which runs through Forest Hills and Back Bay to South Station.
Cutler Park
A DCR reservation of wetlands, boardwalks and trails along the Charles River near the Newton and West Roxbury borders.
Needham Town Forest
Wooded walking trails off Central Avenue in the southern part of town, along with the hobbyist model railroad known as Martini Junction.
Great Plain Avenue
The main street through Needham Center, lined with shops and services beside the Common, with the Needham Free Public Library nearby on Highland Avenue.
The Market
Needham homes & real estate
Most Needham homes are single-families. Older neighborhoods near Needham Center and the Heights have Colonial Revival, Victorian and early twentieth-century houses, while a large share of the town was built out after World War II with Capes, ranches and garrison Colonials. Over the past couple of decades many of those mid-century houses have been replaced or significantly expanded, so new construction appears on established streets. Condos and townhouses exist but are a smaller slice, mostly near the town centers and along the main roads.
When comparing homes, buyers tend to look at whether a house is original, renovated or a teardown candidate, how close it is to a train station or the center, and how much the lot allows for future expansion under local zoning. Proximity to Route 128 brings convenience and some highway sound, depending on the street. If you want to understand recent Needham sales on a particular street, we are glad to put the figures together for you.
Helpful guides: First-time buyer guideHow offers work in MassachusettsMortgage options by property typeSelling a house in Massachusetts
Getting around: Commuter rail towns
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes cover Needham?
Needham uses two ZIP codes, 02492 for Needham and 02494 for Needham Heights in the northern part of town.
How do you get to downtown Boston from Needham?
The Needham Line commuter rail stops at Needham Heights, Needham Center, Needham Junction and Hersey, then runs through Forest Hills, Ruggles and Back Bay to South Station. By car, Route 128 and Route 9 or the Mass Pike connect to the city.
What types of homes are for sale in Needham?
Needham's market is mainly single-family homes, including Colonials, Capes, ranches and newer construction that has replaced older houses. A smaller number of condos and townhouses are available near the town centers.
What is Needham known for?
Needham is known for its Town Common and Georgian Revival Town Hall, its four commuter rail stations, Cutler Park along the Charles River, and Olin College of Engineering.
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