Weston MA stands apart from its suburban Boston neighbors, and not just because a good proportion of its borders are defined by the thunderous transport corridors of I-90 and I-95. No, this historic town is also renowned for its more storied connections, including a rich colonial heritage and a wealth of architectural beauty.
Wealth is a word you'll hear frequently as you explore the many benefits of Weston MA. Of towns that have a population of 10,000 or more, it is one of the most affluent in the country, with all of the luxurious properties and attractive amenities that you'd expect to come with such status.
Demographics: Who's at Home in Weston MA?
The wealthy are at home in Weston, with 2010 Census reporting an impressive median household income of $153,918 spread across the area's 11,261 residents. That's a population that has remained steady since its last boom in the 1950's, when suburban flight took hold and the town posted a rise of almost 65 percent over ten years.
Another notable number related to population comes in the form of its density, which in Weston works out as just 650 people per square mile. To put that in perspective, neighboring Newton is only a little larger in terms of area but has almost eight times as many people to squeeze in, which equates to 4,600.6 people per square mile. If you value your space, Weston MA is clearly the right place to own a home.
While the town checks several different boxes for potential homeowners, it won't win any awards for diversity. Only one-in-ten of its residents identify as an ethnicity other than white American, with Asian residents being the next largest group at just under 7 percent of the population.
With a small population who value the town's tranquility, it's fair to say that Weston MA is more country club than night club. That's exactly the way the residents like it, however, as evidenced by the fact that Weston remained a dry town until as recently as 2008. The few cultural and culinary options on offer can be found along the Boston Post Road, as has been the case throughout the town's ample history.
In fact, most of the culture to be found in Weston comes from its colonial character.
The town was incorporated in 1713 and has historic buildings dating back almost as far. Whether you enjoy taking in centuries-old taverns or searching out the kind of architecture that defines several different eras of America, this is an area with plenty to offer. Indeed, as if to define the town's priorities, one of our country's oldest watering holes, the Golden Ball Tavern, is located in Weston but has been thoughtfully transformed into a museum.
If you want more of the thriving nightlife that attracts so many people to Boston, one of the suburbs closer to the city is where you should start searching. For those who value sedate outdoor activities and a healthy dose of historic relevance, however, Weston MA has a great deal to offer.
This is where Weston comes into its own, especially for families who value space, schools, and safety.
Weston MA boasts the second best schools in the state, beating even local suburban rival Lexington at number three in the rankings. It's a quality that has residents proudly seeing their school system as a form of public prep school, paving the way for the town's children to attend the best colleges in the country. This is borne out by the fact that 88 percent of the population here has a higher education degree, with more than half of those at the graduate level.
We've already touched on the wide open spaces of Weston, which also play a part in making it one of the safest areas in suburban Boston. The sparse population is spread out across that large area and rarely sees the kind of crime that other neighborhoods in the city experience. Thanks to this safe and secure environment, families and older people are happy to call Weston home. 42.3 percent of the town's households have a child under the age of 18, while 44.3 percent of its residents are 45 or older.
What's Weston Best Known For?
We keep coming back to it, but affluence is a defining characteristic of this highly successful suburb. It's what fuels the schools, limits commercial expansion, and maintains Weston MA as a destination for ambitious families.
Don't think that educational success and expensive homes are all the town has to talk about, though. All of that untouched space makes for an area with outstanding natural beauty, from the winter wonderland available at Weston ski track to the dog-friendly fun at Cat Rock Park.
For older home buyers hoping to retire in a peaceful and scenic part of Boston that still offers easy access to the city, Weston is one of the prime places to consider. There are plenty of spacious properties and attractive architecture to choose from, the latter encouraged by the echoes of notable former residents Charles Follen McKim and Henry Hobson Richardson, both of whom rank among America's finest architectural minds.
