Wellesley, town, Norfolk County, eastern Massachusetts; incorporated 1881. It is primarily a residential community and has some industry, including the manufacture of electronic and electrical equipment. Wellesley College, Babson College (1919), and a community college are here. Settled in 1660 as part of Dedham, the community became part of Needham in 1711. It was incorporated as a separate town in 1881 and was named for Samuel Welles, who had established a home here in 1763. Population 27,209 (1980); 26,615 (1990); 26,615 (1996 estimate).
