Wellesley ranks #17 on CNN Money’s list of top-earning towns, with a median family income of $177K, though perhaps the recent shutdown of an illegal massage parlor will hurt the town’s ranking for the next time around.

The Wellesley entry on CNN Money’s list, which features an image of Linden Square, reads in part: “…if residents are rich and smart, they’re certainly not idle. The town’s citizens take their community service seriously, whether as elected officials with statutory responsibilities or volunteers who cut and maintain walking trails. More than 500 people actively serve on town boards and committees.”

Not mentioned was that Wellesley’s earnings ranking could plummet if we learn that the operator of an alleged illegal massage parlor on Cedar Street (see WHDH-TV report below) was making a killing before being shut down by Wellesley Police. (Cedar Street was also the location of another such business that was shuttered by cops in 2008).

Regardless of how that situation turns out, Wellesley’s overall wealth makes it a target for theives. Wellesley police reported 3 residential break-ins over the past few days, including a couple in the Cliff Estates area. Preliminary investigations have determined items were taken.

(Weston, by the way, placed 4th on the CNN Money list, with median family income of about $249K.)