Town Profile
The Town of Wellesley is a predominantly residential community, located approximately 13 miles west of Boston. Its geographic location and its visual characteristics make it a highly desirable suburb for people who work in Boston. Wellesley although a residential community, is also an employment center, having several attractive office parks located primarily on its eastern border.
The town is also a college community, having within its boundaries Wellesley College and Babson College, two private educational institutions, as well as Massachusetts Bay Community College.
Wellesley is equidistant from the north shore and south shore recreational facilities with access provided by Route 128/Route 95, a circumferential highway which skirts its eastern border. It is a gateway access to the western part of the state through access to the Massachusetts turnpike located just over Wellesley's northern border.
The town derives approximately 85% of its tax revenue from a residential tax base with 15% derived from non-residential uses. Wellesley has been a leader in environmental issues and the town's attractiveness is ample evidence of that philosophy.
Geography
Eastern Massachusetts, bordered by Natick on the west, Weston and Newton on the north, Needham on the east and southeast, and Dover on the south. Wellesley is 13 miles west of Boston; 27 miles east of Worcester; 40 miles north of Providence, Rhode Island; and 205 miles from New York City.
- Total Area: 10.49 sq. miles
- and Area: 10.18 sq. miles
- Population: 26,615
- Density: 2,614 per sq. mile
Government
Municipal Offices Main Number: (781) 431-1019
Form of Government; Board of Selectmen, Executive Secretary, Representative Town Meeting. Incorporated as a town in 1881.
Museums
- Davis Museum and Cultural Center
106 Central Street
(781) 283-2051 - Wellesley Historical Society
229 Washington Street
(781) 235-6690
Transportation and Access
Wellesley is situated in the Greater Boston Area, which has excellent rail, air, and highway facilities. State Route 128 and Interstate Route 495 divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous "spokes" providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.
Major Highways
Principal highways are State Routes 9 (cross-state), 16, and 135; and Interstate 95 and State Route 128, which share the same roadway.
Rail
Commuter rail service to Back Bay Station and South Station, Boston, is available from Wellesley Square (travel time to BBS 28-31 min.; 260 MBTA parking spaces), Wellesley Hills (travel time 25-27 min.; 50 spaces), and Wellesley Farms (travel time 22-24 min.; 135 spaces.) Conrail services a freight rail line through Wellesley. Contact number: (781) 783-6222
Bus
Wellesley is a member of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
Other
The Norwood Memorial Airport, a Reliever (RL) facility, is easily accessible. It has 2 asphalt runways 4,001'x 150' and 4,007'x 150'. Instrument approaches available: Non-precision.
