Westwood, MA: A Complete Guide

Why Westwood?

Located at the crossroads of I-95/Route 128 and the Northeast Corridor rail line in Norfolk County, Westwood packs a remarkable amount into 11 square miles. With fewer than 17,000 residents, it's small enough to feel like a genuine community — neighbors know each other, youth sports teams fill the fields on weekend mornings, and the town library is genuinely used. Yet it offers infrastructure that rivals towns twice its size: two MBTA commuter rail stations, one of the top-ranked high schools in Massachusetts, and a growing mixed-use district right at the train.

Westwood attracts families who prize strong schools, established professionals who want a quieter base with easy Boston access, and buyers who understand that proximity to Route 128's technology and biotech corridor has real, lasting value. It's one of the few towns where you can board a train to Back Bay in under 30 minutes, mountain bike through 1,250 acres of preserved land, and pick up dinner at a great restaurant — all without leaving the zip code.

Schools

Westwood Public Schools is a mid-sized, K–12 district with a strong academic reputation across Norfolk County. The district operates four elementary schools, one middle school, and Westwood High School — all within 11 square miles.

Elementary Schools

Westwood runs four K–5 elementary schools — and the headline is worth leading with: two of them rank among the very best elementary schools in all of Massachusetts.

According to SchoolDigger's statewide rankings (derived from MCAS proficiency scores), Martha Jones School (K–5, 80 Martha Jones Road) ranks #2 in Massachusetts and William E. Sheehan School (K–5, 549 Pond Street) ranks #4 in Massachusetts. Having two different elementary schools simultaneously in the state's top five is exceptionally rare and puts Westwood in a category shared only by a handful of MA communities.

The other two schools round out the district:

• Downey School (PK–5, 250 Downey Street) — serves the eastern neighborhoods near the Westwood-Norwood border
• Pine Hill School (K–5, 790 Gay Street) — serves the northern neighborhoods; formed from the consolidation of the former Hanlon and Deerfield schools

All four schools benefit from the district's low class sizes, strong PTO engagement, and consistent investment in curriculum. Total public school enrollment across the district is approximately 3,000–3,100 students (excluding Xaverian), reinforcing a community-scale feel where students and teachers know each other well.

E.W. Thurston Middle School

E.W. Thurston Middle School (Grades 6–8) draws students from all four elementary schools and serves as the bridge to the district's flagship high school. The school is named for Edmund W. Thurston and maintains the district's tradition of low student-to-teacher ratios and broad extracurricular programming.

Westwood High School

Westwood High School (Grades 9–12) is the crown of the district — a modern campus at 200 Nahatan Street, rebuilt in 2005 on 33 acres. With 889 students (2023–24) and an exceptionally low 9.35:1 student-to-teacher ratio, the school delivers a personalized, college-preparatory experience that larger suburban high schools simply can't match. The Wolverines compete in the Tri-Valley League.

In 2019, Boston Magazine ranked Westwood High #14 among the best public high schools in the Boston metro area — and the DESE data makes clear why. In the 2024–25 school year, 71% of Westwood students met or exceeded expectations in ELA and 72% in Math, compared to statewide averages of just 42% and 41%. The mean scaled score in both subjects was 513, well above the state mean of 494. Science performance is even stronger: 76% of students met or exceeded expectations versus 42% across Massachusetts.

The graduation numbers are just as striking: 98.6% of Westwood's class of 2025 graduated on time — versus a Massachusetts statewide average of 89.3% — placing Westwood among the top tier of districts in the Commonwealth. Per-pupil expenditure runs $24,325 per student in-district (FY2024), modestly above the state average of $22,414, reflecting the community's investment in maintaining strong programs.

Private: Xaverian Brothers High School

For families seeking a private option, Xaverian Brothers High School (Grades 7–12, all-boys) is a nationally recognized Catholic institution located right in Westwood. The school enrolls approximately 994 students (2024–25) across a 36-acre campus, with a 13:1 student-to-teacher ratio and a faculty where 95% hold graduate degrees.

Academically, Xaverian offers 22 Advanced Placement courses and 47 total electives spanning sciences, humanities, arts, and technology. The Class of 2025 (164 graduates) received acceptances to more than 220 colleges and universities. Tuition is approximately $28,500 per year.

Xaverian is equally renowned for athletics: the school has claimed 14 MIAA Division 1 State Championships across sports. Alumni include NFL quarterbacks Matt and Tim Hasselbeck and NBA guard Dana Barros.

Demographics

Westwood's population has grown steadily — from 14,618 in the 2010 Census to 16,266 in 2020 (an 11.3% gain), with the Census Bureau estimating approximately 16,533 residents by 2024. The town's profile reflects a community of highly educated professionals anchored by family households with school-age children.

Who Lives Here

The median age is 43.9, shaped by established families who chose Westwood for its schools and stayed through their children's entire K–12 experience. About 26% of residents are under 18 — well above the state average — while the 65+ share (19.7%) reflects a growing older population as the town's long-time homeowners age in place.

Westwood is 78.9% White with a notable Asian community at 10.8% — more than the Massachusetts state average. Hispanic/Latino residents comprise about 4% of the population. About 13.8% of residents are foreign-born, with the largest groups from Asia (56%) and Europe (27%).

Income and Education

The median household income is $223,125 — more than double the Massachusetts median ($103,960) and nearly triple the national figure ($80,610). Remarkably, 54% of Westwood households earn $200,000 or more per year. The poverty rate stands at just 4.6%.

Educational attainment matches: 72.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (versus ~45% statewide), and roughly 37% hold a graduate or professional degree. Over 95% of adults have completed high school — the bedrock of one of the most educated communities in Norfolk County.

Household Profile

• Average household size: 2.88 persons
• Family households: approximately 81% are married-couple families
• Homeownership rate: 87.3% — more than 30 points above the Massachusetts state average of ~63%
• Median owner-occupied home value: $1,041,500 (ACS)

Home Prices and Market

Westwood is a strong seller's market, consistently supported by its school system reputation, direct Route 128 access, and chronically tight inventory. Values have appreciated meaningfully over the last several years, and the market shows no sign of a structural correction.

Property Types

Westwood's housing stock is overwhelmingly single-family — 81% of all housing units are single-unit structures (ACS). The breakdown by bedroom count:

• Studio / 1-bedroom: 9.2% combined
• 2-bedroom: 14.6%
• 3-bedroom: 29.8%
• 4-bedroom: 32.4% (most common)
• 5+ bedrooms: 13.9%

Most homes sit on modest to large wooded lots. The town's 1-acre minimum zoning in much of the residential core keeps density low and preserves the leafy character that draws buyers in the first place.

Pricing

The median home value is approximately $1,197,000 (Zillow, February 2026), up 2.7% year-over-year. Pricing varies meaningfully by size:

• 2-bedroom: ~$794,000
• 3-bedroom: ~$975,000
• 4-bedroom: ~$1,337,000
• 5-bedroom: ~$1,910,000

Single-family homes — which represent the vast majority of transactions — have a median of approximately $1,213,000.

Market Conditions

Homes in Westwood currently sell in about 62 days on market (median, December 2025) — up roughly 23% from the prior year, reflecting a modest cooling from peak competition. With only about 22 active listings at any given time and roughly 2 months of implied supply (well below the 6-month balanced-market threshold), inventory remains tight. About 16% of listings see a price reduction, which means correctly-priced homes still attract competitive offers while overpriced properties face resistance.

Zillow's forward-looking model projects approximately +2.2% additional appreciation over the next 12 months, consistent with the moderate-growth trajectory seen across high-value Norfolk County suburbs.

Housing Character

Westwood's residential stock spans a wide range of eras, reflecting the town's gradual growth alongside Route 128:

• Pre-1940s — Older colonials, capes, and farmhouses near the historic town center, concentrated along the original settlement roads
• 1950s–1970s — Ranches and garrison colonials in established side-street neighborhoods, often on generous half-acre to 1-acre lots
• 1980s–1990s — The largest wave of construction, with traditional colonials and raised ranches in subdivisions throughout the interior
• 2000s–present — More limited new construction due to tight land supply; custom and spec homes typically on 1+ acre lots, often replacing teardowns

The town's zoning requires 1-acre minimum lot sizes in most residential zones, which maintains property scale but also supports the premium pricing. Wooded lots with mature trees are common throughout Westwood, and the topography includes significant wetlands and conservation land that limit development density naturally.

Property Taxes

Westwood uses a single (uniform) tax rate for all residential property. Based on Norfolk County's effective property tax rate of approximately 1.01%, a home assessed at the median value of roughly $1.2 million carries an estimated annual tax bill of $12,100–$13,000, depending on the specific FY2026 rate set by the Westwood Board of Assessors. For the verified current rate, consult the Westwood Assessors office or the Massachusetts Department of Revenue's annual municipal rate table.

The town also assesses a Community Preservation Act (CPA) surcharge — a small additional percentage levied on property taxes that funds open space preservation, historic preservation, and affordable housing initiatives.

Rental Market

Rental inventory in Westwood is extremely limited — typically only 10–20 units actively listed at any time, a direct consequence of the 87% homeownership rate. The median rent is approximately $3,083/month (Zumper, March 2026):

• Studio: ~$1,840/month
• 1-bedroom: ~$2,480/month
• 2-bedroom: ~$3,200/month
• 3-bedroom: ~$3,500/month

View the full Westwood market report→

Commute and Transportation

Westwood offers one of the best commuter packages in the Greater Boston region — a combination of Interstate highway access and two distinct MBTA commuter rail lines that cover both South Station corridors.

• Route 128 Station — The town's primary transit hub, located at 50 University Avenue on the eastern edge of Westwood. This station serves both MBTA Commuter Rail (Providence/Stoughton Line, ~25 minutes to South Station) and Amtrak intercity trains including the Acela and Northeast Regional to Providence, New York, and Washington, D.C. It's the 23rd busiest Amtrak station in the country and has 2,578 parking spaces (credit cards and EZPass accepted). The adjacent University Station development makes it the only commuter rail stop in Westwood where you can walk to dinner after the train.

• Islington Station — A neighborhood station on the Franklin/Foxboro Line, serving the western part of Westwood with a quieter, more residential character. South Station is approximately 40 minutes from Islington.

• MBTA Bus Route 34E — Runs from Dedham to Forest Hills on the Orange Line, providing a connection to rapid transit for residents near Dedham/Westwood border.

• I-95 / Route 128 — Runs through the eastern edge of town, providing direct access to Boston (18 miles north), Providence (30 miles south), and the dense Route 128 technology corridor (Needham, Waltham, Burlington, Woburn).

• Route 109 — Westwood's main east-west road, connecting the town to Dedham, Norwood, and Walpole with easy access to retail and services.

The majority of residents drive for daily errands, but the dual commuter rail service makes car-free Boston commuting completely practical for anyone near the stations.

Lifestyle and Community

Hale Education

Westwood's outdoor crown jewel is Hale Education (hale1918.org), a private non-profit sitting on 1,250 acres across Westwood and Dover, with 20 miles of trails, four ponds, and a Native American felsite quarry dating to 3,600 BCE. Hale is best known for its ACA-accredited youth summer camps — from traditional camp to adventure tracks focused on hiking and mountain biking — but it also runs year-round outdoor education programs, school programs for Boston Public Schools students (the HOLA program), and corporate team-building events. The trail system is open year-round to the public (parking fee applies). The Trustees of Reservations' adjacent Noanet Woodlands in Dover extends the open space further, creating a continuous natural preserve on Westwood's western border.

University Station

Adjacent to the Route 128 commuter rail station, University Station is a transit-oriented mixed-use development featuring retail, restaurants, apartments, and major office tenants including Citizens Bank. Construction began in 2013 on a long-deferred 130-acre site and was substantially complete by 2019. For commuters who want walkable conveniences — coffee, groceries, gym, dinner — without fighting traffic, University Station fills that role without leaving the zip code.

Westwood Public Library

The Westwood Public Library opened in a modern, purpose-built facility in summer 2013 and anchors the town center. It serves as a community hub for residents of all ages, with programming for children, teens, and adults year-round.

Community Character

Westwood was incorporated in 1897, carved out of Dedham by residents seeking their own town government. It grew slowly through the mid-20th century and accelerated as Route 128 transformed the region into a technology and biotech hub. The town was officially "dry" (no retail liquor sales permitted) until 2005 — a fact that still surprises newer arrivals given the town's otherwise modern amenities.

The Colburn School (1877), now a town landmark near the historic town center, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the few remaining examples of 19th-century district schoolhouse architecture in Massachusetts.

Today, Westwood runs an active recreation department with youth sports leagues, adult fitness classes, and community events. The strong school-parent network — active in PTOs and district advocacy — reflects a community that invests heavily in the next generation.

Notable Westwood alumni include NFL quarterback Drake Maye (New England Patriots, WHS Class of 2022), and former NFL quarterbacks Matt Hasselbeck and Tim Hasselbeck, both Xaverian Brothers High School alumni.

The Bottom Line

Westwood is the right town for families who want excellent public schools, a genuinely neighborly feel, and one of the best commuter rail setups in the region — and who are prepared to pay a premium for it. The median home price north of $1.1 million is real, but in return you get a 9-to-1 teacher ratio at the high school, two MBTA lines and the Acela at your doorstep, and 1,250 acres of trails practically in the backyard.

If Westwood's price point feels out of reach, neighboring Norwood offers a similar commuter rail connection at substantially lower price points, while Dedham and Canton provide comparable Norfolk County amenities with more entry-level inventory. For those prioritizing schools above all else, Westwood and nearby Needham are both worth serious comparison.

Sources & References

Schools

• Wikipedia — Westwood, Massachusetts (school structure): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westwood,_Massachusetts
• Wikipedia — Westwood High School (Massachusetts): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westwood_High_School_(Massachusetts)
• Wikipedia — Xaverian Brothers High School (Westwood): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xaverian_Brothers_High_School_(Westwood,_Massachusetts)
• Xaverian Brothers High School — Official Site: https://www.xbhs.com
• Westwood Public Schools — Official District Site: https://www.westwood.k12.ma.us/
• NCES — Common Core of Data (2023–24 school year): https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/
• SchoolDigger — Massachusetts Elementary School Rankings (Martha Jones #2, Sheehan #4 statewide): https://www.schooldigger.com/go/MA/schools/2039006/school.aspx
• DESE — Statewide MCAS Summary Report (FY2025): https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/statereport/mcas.aspx
• DESE — Statewide Graduation Rate Report (FY2025): https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/statereport/gradrates.aspx
• DESE — Statewide Per-Pupil Expenditure Report (FY2024): https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/statereport/ppx.aspx
• DESE — Westwood High School Report Card (2025): https://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/2025/03350505
• Boston Magazine — Best Public High Schools in Boston (2019): referenced via Wikipedia

Demographics

• U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates
• U.S. Census QuickFacts — Westwood, MA: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/westwoodtownnorfolkcountymassachusetts
• Census Reporter — Westwood: https://censusreporter.org/profiles/06000US2502173695-westwood-town-norfolk-county-ma/

Home Prices & Market

• Zillow — Westwood Home Values (ZHVI, Feb 2026): https://www.zillow.com/home-values/40831/westwood-ma/
• Prop:Metrics — ZIP 02090 (Dec 2025): https://www.prop-metrics.com/zip/02090
• Zumper — Westwood Rent Research (March 2026): https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/westwood-ma
• SmartAsset — Massachusetts Property Tax Rates (Norfolk County): https://smartasset.com/taxes/massachusetts-property-tax-calculator
• Town of Westwood — Assessors Office: https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/assessors

Commute & Transportation

• Wikipedia — Route 128 Station: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Route_128_station
• MBTA — Route 128 Stop: https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-NEC-2173
• Wikipedia — Islington Station: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islington_station_(MBTA)

Lifestyle & Community

• Wikipedia — Hale Education: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hale_Education
• Hale Education — Official Site: https://hale1918.org
• Wikipedia — Westwood, Massachusetts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westwood,_Massachusetts