Chester Center
203 Middlesex Avenue, Chester, CT 06412
Living in Chester, Connecticut
Chester is a small town on the west bank of the Connecticut River in the Lower Connecticut River Valley, formed in 1836 from Saybrook's northern quarter. Its Main Street village grew up around the Chester–Hadlyme Ferry crossing, which has run since 1769 and is the second-oldest continuously operating ferry in Connecticut.
Chester at a glance
- $557,500Median single-family sale, Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
- 27.78 millsReal estate tax rate, fiscal year 2026–27
- 25–30 minDrive to Middletown
- MiddlesexCounty · Lower Connecticut River Valley
Chester's zip code
The whole town uses ZIP code 06412.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Chester Center | 06412 | The town's only village center, where Main, Spring and River streets meet near the ferry landing and Town Hall. |
Chester covers about 16.0 square miles and borders Deep River, Essex, Killingworth and Haddam. It was incorporated in 1836.
Things to do in Chester, CT
Start with Chester–Hadlyme Ferry and Main Street galleries and shops, then 1 more below.
Chester–Hadlyme Ferry
A car ferry across the Connecticut River that has operated since 1769, making it the second-oldest continuously running ferry service in the state. It connects Chester's Route 148 to Hadlyme, near Gillette Castle State Park.
Route 148 at the Connecticut River
Plan a visitMain Street galleries and shops
Chester's compact downtown along Main, Spring and River streets holds independent art galleries, including Connecticut River Artisans, alongside small shops housed in 19th-century storefronts.
Main Street
Chester Museum at the Mill
A local history museum run by the Chester Historical Society, set in a former mill building, covering the town's ferry, river-trade and manufacturing history.
Chester
More worth a visit
- Cockaponsett State ForestState forest land extending into Chester with multi-use trails.
Around the calendar
- SeptemberChester Duck RaceAn annual rubber-duck race fundraiser on the Pattaconk Brook that has run for over a decade.
A little history
The area was the site of a Native American village called Pattaquonk, with a 30-acre Wangunk reservation established in 1662; English settlement began around 1692 as part of Saybrook.
In 1769, Jonathan Warner was granted permission to operate a ferry across the Connecticut River, which became the Chester–Hadlyme Ferry.
Chester was incorporated as its own town in 1836, separating from Saybrook.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Chester
Chester's outdoor draws center on the Connecticut River and the wooded hills just inland.
- Chester–Hadlyme Ferry crossingA scenic river crossing that also connects to hiking at Gillette Castle State Park on the opposite bank.
- Cockaponsett State ForestMulti-use trails through state forest land on Chester's western edge.
- Pattaconk BrookRuns through the village center and is the site of the annual duck race.
Where to eat in Chester: restaurants and coffee
3 places in Chester to try, including restaurant and restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
River Tavern
Restaurant
A Main Street restaurant working with local farms and regional fish suppliers.
Main Street, Chester, CT
Restaurant L&E
Restaurant
A contemporary French restaurant on Main Street.
Main Street, Chester, CT
Pattaconk 1850 Bar & Grill
Restaurant
A casual bar and grill in a historic Main Street building.
Main Street, Chester, CT
Walkability and getting around Chester
Chester Center is walkable within a few blocks of Main, Spring and River streets, where most shops, restaurants and galleries sit close together. Outside the village, the town is rural and spread out, and a car is needed to reach most homes, the transfer station and neighboring towns.
Drive times
- Middletown, about 15 miles25–30 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 48 miles55–65 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
There is no fixed-route public transit in Chester. The nearest Shore Line East and Amtrak service is at Old Saybrook station.
Chester property taxes and home prices
Chester's 2026–27 mill rate is 27.78, which is $27.78 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Connecticut taxes a home at 70% of its appraised value, so every $100,000 of value costs about $1,945 a year in taxes at 27.78 mills.
What homes in Chester sell for
| 12 months ending | Single-family | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | $413,12510 sales | – |
| Sep 2025 | $557,50042 sales | – |
October to September, state records. Text us for this month's sales.
Chester's mill rate for 2026–27
27.78mills, fiscal year 2026–27
- Town of Chester27.78 mills
- Motor vehicles27.78 mills
- Next revaluationOctober 1, 2028
How Chester's mill rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Town rate |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 29.50 |
| 2023–24 | 29.70 |
| 2024–25 | 24.45 |
| 2025–26 | 27.08 |
| 2026–27 | 27.78 |
Chester's town rate went from 29.50 in 2022–23 to 27.78 in 2026–27. Next revaluation: October 1, 2028.
Look up a Chester property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkLand records, deeds and vital records
- Assessor's officeQuestions about an assessment: 860-526-0013
Buying a home in Chester
What we check on a Chester purchase: CHFA limits, the flood map, well & septic and river flood zone.
First-time buyer programs in Chester
CHFA sets Chester's income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.
See CHFA's limits mapCheck the flood zone first
Chester's riverfront along the Connecticut River, and low ground near Pattaconk Brook, fall within FEMA flood zones; a flood map check is worthwhile before making an offer near the water. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for ChesterConfirm well and septic outside the village
Much of Chester outside the village center relies on private wells and septic systems rather than town water and sewer. We check well and septic status early, since it affects financing timelines.
Check the flood map near the river
Properties near the Connecticut River or Pattaconk Brook may sit in a FEMA flood zone, which can require flood insurance. We check the flood map before you make an offer.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. CHFA and USDA limits and eligibility are set by those agencies and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Chester?
Send us a Chester address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Chester: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Chester: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasNo natural gas service confirmed in this research; check with the seller or utility.
- WaterAquarion Water Company serves parts of town; many properties rely on private wells.
- Sewer or septicVillage center has sewer service; outlying areas use septic systems.
- Trash and recyclingChester does not run town curbside pickup; residents use the transfer station or contract with a private hauler.
Chester Transfer Station
220 Winthrop Road, Deep River, CT Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Town offices and contacts
Chester Town Hall is at 203 Middlesex Avenue, Chester, CT 06412. Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Tue 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Fri 9:00 a.m.–noon (closed daily noon–1:00 p.m.). Main line: 860-526-0013. Each link opens that office's page on the town's website.
- Town HallMain line and town website860-526-0013
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and licenses.860-526-0013
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.860-526-0013
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and collection.860-526-0013
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.860-526-0013
- Planning & ZoningLand use applications and zoning regulations.860-526-0013
- Parks & RecreationTown recreation programs and facilities.860-526-0013
- Public WorksRoads, the transfer station and town maintenance.860-526-0013
- Chester Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- Chester Elementary / Region 4 SchoolsChester's public schools are part of Regional School District 4.
Chester, CT FAQ: taxes, prices and town services
The short answers. Call or text us for the long ones.
What is the mill rate in Chester, CT?
Chester's 2026–27 mill rate is 27.78, which is $27.78 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. The motor vehicle rate is 27.78 mills.
How much are property taxes on a $500,000 home in Chester?
Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of appraised value, so a $500,000 home would be assessed at about $350,000. At 27.78 mills that's about $9,723 a year, or about $810 a month. The actual bill depends on the town assessor's appraisal, not the price you pay.
What is the median home price in Chester, CT?
In the 12 months from October 2024 through September 2025, the median single-family sale in Chester was $557,500 across 42 sales, compared with $413,125 the year before.
When is Chester's next revaluation?
Chester's next revaluation takes effect October 1, 2028, on the state's schedule. The new assessments first show up on the tax bills due in July 2029.
What county is Chester, CT in?
Chester is in Middlesex County, in the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region.
What ZIP code does Chester use?
The whole town uses 06412.
Is there curbside trash pickup in Chester?
No. Residents use the Chester Transfer Station in Deep River or a private hauler.
How do I get to the ferry from Chester center?
The Chester–Hadlyme Ferry landing is on Route 148, a short drive from Main Street.
How far is Chester from Middletown?
About 15 miles north of Chester.
Towns near Chester
Neighbors of Chester in Middlesex County and nearby. All Middlesex County towns.
Sources
- Mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, "Mill Rates for FY 2014–2027," data.ct.gov. Revaluation year: OPM, Revaluation Schedule 2023–2037.
- Home sales: "Real Estate Sales 2001–2024 GL," data.ct.gov. Medians use Chester sales recorded October 1 to September 30, leaving out sales the town flagged as non-market.
- Chester, Connecticut - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Chester - Contact/Directions: chesterct.org
- Chester Transfer Station - Wastebits Locator: locator.wastebits.com
- Connecticut River Museum / Chester attractions: chesterct.gov
- File:OldTownHallChesterCT.jpg - Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Walkability: Walk Score®, Bike Score® and Transit Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Jerry Dougherty, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.