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Last Updated on: 17th November 2023, 01:38 pm
It is no secret that the Greater Boston area is one of the best places to live in the country. With its top-rated schools, amazing public transportation, and trendy shopping areas, it is no surprise that Boston’s population has increased by nearly 10% over the past decade. If you are thinking of moving to the city, then you need to choose the area of Boston that works best for you. Greater Boston is divided into many regions, such as North Shore, South Shore, and MetroWest.
Metro West Boston is one of the most popular areas of the city. This area is often called the “Arc of Innovation” as it is home to many of the state’s largest and fastest-growing companies. In addition to the wonderful job opportunities, this region is home to amazing real estate, cozy neighborhoods, and friendly people. Let’s dive into the different cities and towns of Boston MetroWest.
Table of Contents
What Is the Boston MetroWest Region?
MetroWest Boston consists of cities and towns west of Boston and east of Worcester. The area of MetroWest Massachusetts is primarily located in Middlesex County, but is also included in parts of Worcester County and Norfolk County.
There are many different regional definitions when it comes to Metro West Boston. According to the MetroWest Economic Center, Boston MetroWest comprises nine communities: Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, and Wayland. The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce includes those nine communities as well as Westborough, which is a town with a population of just over 21,000.
The MetroWest Daily News lists 14 communities: Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Natick, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough, and Weston. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council recognizes the MetroWest area as Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Marlborough, Natick, Southborough, Wayland, Wellesley, and Weston.
Lastly, the 495/MetroWest Corridor Partnership has the broadest definition with the nine core towns and cities listed by the MetroWest Economic Center, plus 26 other municipalities in a three-county area.
The MetroWest Boston map below shows the nine core towns in red and the 26 additional communities in pink.
Overall, the population of MetroWest Boston is around 209,682. The entire MetroWest region is served by the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA).
Metro West Boston Towns & Cities
Below are the cities and towns west of Boston that are almost always considered to be a part of Boston Metro West.
Ashland (Town) – Population: 18,832
Ashland is a suburban town in the Boston Metrowest area. The town has an area of 12.9 square miles, giving it a population density of 1,518 people per square mile. Ashland is known for its ideal location and is about halfway between Boston and Worcester. The area is popular among young families, with a median age of 41.1 and an average household size of 2.4 persons. 67% of households in Ashland are occupied by married couples, while 18% are occupied by non-family members, 8% by female householders, and 7% by male householders.
This charming town is perfect for nature lovers, and boasts attractions such as Ashland State Park and Ashland Reservoir, where you can enjoy miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails.
Framingham (City) – Population: 72,362
Framingham is the largest city in the MetroWest Massachusetts area and has seen a 5.9% population increase over the past decade. This city is incredibly diverse, with a racial and ethnic composition of 63.5% White (58.0% non-Hispanic), 8.8% Asian, 7.4% two or more races, 6.5% Black or African American, and 0.2% American Indian. 31.0% of residents in Framingham are foreign-born, which is more than the Boston average (28.1%).
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When living in Framingham, you can enjoy top-rated attractions such as the Danforth Art Museum and Garden in the Woods. Framingham also has a very promising job market, with a projected growth of 41% over the next ten years.
Holliston (Town) – Population: 14,996
Located 29 miles outside of Downtown Boston, Holliston is a picturesque town in the MetroWest area. Once the largest producer of shoes in the United States, Holliston is now known for its historical districts, beautiful homes, and fun attractions. Holliston is home to the Pinecrest Golf Club, where members can enjoy a beautiful golf course, golf lessons, and a fine dining restaurant.
Holliston is a very affluent area, with a median household income of $142,348. This is about 25% higher than the amount in Middlesex County ($111,790), and 1.5 times the amount in Massachusetts ($89,026). With numbers like these, it is no surprise that 96.5% of residents in Holliston have a high school degree (or higher), and 66.7% of residents have a bachelor’s degree (or higher).
Hopkinton (Town) – Population: 18,758
The charming town of Hopkinton is one of the best places to live in the Boston MetroWest area. Hopkinton is a popular place to live among families, as it has some of the lowest crime rates in all of Massachusetts. The overall crime rate in Hopkinton is 181 crimes per 100,000 people. This is 86.7% lower than the state average and 92.3% lower than the national average.
The Hopkinton Public School District is also ranked as one of the best districts in the entire state of Massachusetts. US News recently listed Hopkinton High School as the 10th-best high school in the Boston area and the 13th-best high school in Massachusetts.
Marlborough (City) – Population: 41,793
Also considered a suburb of Boston, Marlborough is the second-most populated MetroWest city. Real estate in Marlborough is incredibly desirable. According to Redfin, the average home price in Marlborough is $510,000. This is higher than the national average of $411,868 but lower than the Boston average of $770,000. Many of the homes in Marlborough are large, two-story homes with spacious yards.
In addition to the beautiful homes, there are also many fun things to do in Marlborough. If you want to get outside, then you can enjoy nature trails, a splash pad, and playgrounds at Ghiloni Park. If you want to learn more about the history of the city, you can check out the Marlborough Historical Society.
Natick (Town) – Population: 37,006
Nicknamed “Home of Champions,” after a team from the town fire department won “The World’s Hook and Ladder Championship,” Natick is one of the most famous towns in Metro West Boston. This town is known for being the birthplace of baseball and was home to the first baseball factory in America. Interestingly, several baseball legends called Natick home, including Walk Kriniak, Dottie Green, and John McNamara.
Natick is very popular among renters and is home to some of the best apartments in Boston MetroWest. Some of the most luxurious apartment complexes in the area include Avalon Natick, Modera Natick Center, and Cloverleaf Apartments. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Natick is $2,510 per month (lower than the Boston average of $3,970).
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Sherborn (Town) – Population: 4,301
Sherborn is one of the most affluent towns in MetroWest Boston. The median household income in Sherborn is $218,906, which is higher than the Boston average of $81,744 and the U.S. average of $69,021. According to PayScale, the average salary in Sherborn is $97,000.
With the high income and salary rates, it is no surprise that Sherborn real estate is very desirable. Of the 1,630 housing units in Sherborn, 94% are owner-occupied, leaving only 6% to be occupied by renters. According to Redfin, the average home price in Sherborn is $1.3 million, which is up 18.4% compared to last year.
Southborough (Town) – Population: 10,450
Located in Worcester County, Southborough is a popular town in MetroWest Boston. As of 2021, 43% of the land in Southborough is residential, while 35% of the land is open space. In Southborough, you will find the popular Fayville Park, which has covered picnic tables, playgrounds, a basketball court, and a baseball diamond. You can also check out the popular Southborough Golf Club, where you can enjoy a spacious 9-hole course.
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Of the 3,579 households in Southborough, 82% are occupied by married couples, 10% by non-family members, 4% by female householders, and 4% by male householders. The town is home to a foreign-born population of 19.2% (59% from Asia, 22% from Europe, 11% from Latin America, 4% from North America, 2% from Africa, 1% from Oceania).
Sudbury (Town) – Population: 18,934
When it comes to towns west of Boston, you can’t skip out on Sudbury. This town is located just 22 miles from Downtown Boston and is known for its rich history, incredible homes, and beautiful nature. Part of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge is located in Sudbury, which is a small protected area with wetlands, forested areas, vernal pools, and public trails.
Sudbury is home to some of the best real estate in Massachusetts. Although the average home price in Sudbury is $964,000, many of the homes sell for over $2 million. These houses are often multiple stories and contain more than five bedrooms.
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Wayland (Town) – Population: 13,943
Once home to the largest militia in Massachusetts, the town of Wayland is now one of the most sought-after MetroWest areas. Wayland is known for being one of the safest places to live in Massachusetts, with a crime rate that is 99.5% lower than the state average and 99.7% lower than the national average. The violent crime and property crime rates are also well below the averages for both the state and the country.
Wayland is popular among retirees, and 40% of its residents are over the age of 50. You can kick back and relax at one of the town’s two country clubs: Wayland Country Club and Sandy Burr Country Club. You’ll also find Nashawtuc Country Club just outside of the town limits.
Wellesley (Town) – Population: 29,550
Wellesley is only 16 miles outside of Downtown Boston and is one of the wealthiest towns west of Boston. According to WallStreet.com, Wellesley is the 5th-richest city in the United States. The median household income in Wellesley is $226,250, and the median value of owner-occupied housing units is $1.25 million. Over 84% of the population in Wellesley holds a bachelor’s degree (or higher), which is nearly double the rate in Massachusetts (45.2%).
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When living in Wellesley, make sure you check out the Davis Museum as well as the Elm Bank Historical Society. Families with older children will also be happy to know that Wellesley is home to two college campuses: MassBay Community College Wellesley and Babson College.
Weston (Town) – Population: 11,851
Weston is one of the most beautiful Boston MetroWest towns. More than 2,000 acres (18% of the town’s total acreage) have been preserved as parks, fields, wetlands, and forests. Within these areas, you will find over 90 miles of trails for hiking, biking, walking, and running. Weston also has 37 scenic roads, making the city appear straight out of a movie. The real estate prices reflect the beauty in the town, with an average home price of $1.97 million, according to Redfin.
Weston is home to Regis College, which is a private university with top-rated nursing and health sciences programs. The Rivers School, which is a private college preparatory school, is also located in Weston. In addition to these top-rated schools, you can also enjoy attractions such as Weston Golf Club, Pine Brook Country Club House, and Weston College Land in the town of Weston.
Boston MetroWest Map
Check out this MetroWest Massachusetts map to see where each city and town is located.
Now that you know all of the cities and towns west of Boston, which one is right for you? Boston MetroWest is a great place to settle down, and living in this area will provide you with an abundance of opportunities. Before you make your move, give Mass Bay Movers a call at 978-587-3775.
