Moodus
1 Plains Rd, Moodus, CT 06469
Living in East Haddam, Connecticut
East Haddam is a Connecticut River town in Middlesex County, made up of several villages including Moodus, Hadlyme and East Haddam center rather than one downtown. It was incorporated in 1734, and Indigenous peoples called part of the area "Machimoodus," the place of noises, for earthquake tremors recorded there from the 1600s into the 1800s.
East Haddam at a glance
- $407,000Median single-family sale, Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
- 28.67 millsReal estate tax rate, fiscal year 2026–27
- 25–30 minDrive to Middletown
- MiddlesexCounty · Lower Connecticut River Valley
East Haddam's villages and zip codes
East Haddam uses two ZIP codes: 06423 (East Haddam) and 06469 (Moodus), depending on the village.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Moodus | 06469 | The town's main commercial village, home to Town Hall and the municipal office complex on Plains Road. |
| East Haddam center | 06423 | On the Connecticut River across from Haddam, site of the East Haddam Historic District, Goodspeed Opera House and the swing bridge. |
| Hadlyme | 06423 | A village straddling the East Haddam/Lyme line near the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry landing and Gillette Castle. |
East Haddam covers about 54.3 square miles and borders Haddam, Colchester, Salem, Lyme, Chester and East Hampton. It was incorporated in 1734.
Things to do in East Haddam, CT
Start with Gillette Castle State Park and Goodspeed Opera House, then 2 more below.
Gillette Castle State Park
A 24-room fieldstone mansion built by actor William Gillette, completed in 1914 on a bluff above the Connecticut River. The house has 47 hand-carved doors, each with a unique latch, and is open for tours seasonally.
67 River Rd, East Haddam, CT
Plan a visitGoodspeed Opera House
A 400-seat Victorian theater on the Connecticut River that has sent numerous productions to Broadway, including the world premieres of Annie and Man of La Mancha. It runs a musical theater season roughly April through December.
6 Main St, East Haddam, CT
Plan a visitDevil's Hopyard State Park
A state park on the Eightmile River where Chapman Falls drops through a hemlock gorge. Trails follow the river and lead past potholes carved into the streambed rock.
366 Hopyard Rd, East Haddam, CT
Plan a visitNathan Hale Schoolhouse
A one-room schoolhouse built in 1750 where Nathan Hale taught before the Revolutionary War.
River Rd, East Haddam, CT
More worth a visit
- Chester-Hadlyme FerryA seasonal cable ferry across the Connecticut River connecting Hadlyme to Chester.
A little history
East Haddam was incorporated in 1734, split off from the older town of Haddam on the river's east bank.
Indigenous nations recorded periodic tremors in the area they called "Machimoodus," the place of noises, documented from the 1600s through the 1800s.
By the 1800s, the village of Moodus had become a center of twine manufacturing, with a dozen mills operating along its streams.
Parks, trails and outdoors in East Haddam
East Haddam's outdoor life runs along the Connecticut and Eightmile rivers, with state parks, a network of lakes, and hiking that ranges from riverside bluffs to a waterfall gorge.
- Devil's Hopyard State ParkTrails along the Eightmile River past Chapman Falls, with picnic areas and a network of hiking paths.More information
- Gillette Castle State ParkGrounds and trails around the castle overlooking the Connecticut River, with river views from the bluff.More information
- Lake HaywardA lake in East Haddam surrounded by residential lake communities.
Where to eat in East Haddam: restaurants and coffee
2 places in East Haddam to try, including american restaurant and market. No one paid to be listed.
The Gelston House
American restaurant
A riverside restaurant and inn next to the Goodspeed Opera House, serving American food with views of the Connecticut River.
8 Main St, East Haddam, CT 06423 · gelstonhouse.com
Grist Mill Market
Market
A market anchoring the retail area of Moodus center.
Moodus, CT 06469
Walkability and getting around East Haddam
East Haddam is spread across several villages connected by rural roads, and most errands require a car. Moodus center and East Haddam center each have a small walkable core, but there is no continuous sidewalk network linking the villages.
East Haddam center
Hadlyme
Drive times
- Middletown, about 15 miles25–30 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 45 miles55–65 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
There is no fixed-route local bus service in East Haddam. The nearest Shore Line East station is in Old Saybrook, and the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry provides a seasonal river crossing rather than a transit line.
East Haddam property taxes and home prices
East Haddam's 2026–27 mill rate is 28.67, which is $28.67 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Some areas also pay a fire or special district tax on top of that. Connecticut taxes a home at 70% of its appraised value, so every $100,000 of value costs about $2,007 a year in taxes at 28.67 mills.
What homes in East Haddam sell for
| 12 months ending | Single-family | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | $400,00095 sales | $294,75010 sales |
| Sep 2025 | $407,000126 sales | $312,0005 sales |
October to September, state records. Text us for this month's sales.
East Haddam's mill rate for 2026–27
28.67mills, fiscal year 2026–27
- Town of East Haddam28.67 mills
- Property Owners Of Lake Hayward (where it applies)+3.644 mills
- Property Owners Association Of Moodus Lake Shores, Inc. (where it applies)+2.50 mills
- Motor vehicles28.67 mills
- Next revaluationOctober 1, 2027
How East Haddam's mill rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Town rate |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 31.79 |
| 2023–24 | 25.75 |
| 2024–25 | 26.76 |
| 2025–26 | 28.06 |
| 2026–27 | 28.67 |
East Haddam's town rate went from 31.79 in 2022–23 to 28.67 in 2026–27. Next revaluation: October 1, 2027.
Look up a East Haddam property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkLand records, deeds and vital records
- Assessor's officeQuestions about an assessment: (860) 873-5020
Buying a home in East Haddam
What we check on a East Haddam purchase: CHFA limits, the flood map, river town and well & septic.
First-time buyer programs in East Haddam
CHFA sets East Haddam'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
East Haddam borders the Connecticut River and includes the Eightmile River watershed; low-lying land along the river and near Devil's Hopyard falls within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for East HaddamRiverfront and flood zones
Property along the Connecticut River, including parts of East Haddam center and Hadlyme, can fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on anything near the river.
Private wells and septic
Most of East Haddam relies on private wells and septic systems rather than town water and sewer. Budget for a well and septic inspection as part of due diligence.
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 East Haddam?
Send us a East Haddam address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to East Haddam: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in East Haddam: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasNo natural gas service confirmed
- WaterMostly private wells
- Sewer or septicMostly septic; most of the town is not on municipal sewer
- Trash and recyclingEast Haddam does not provide curbside town trash pickup; residents use the town transfer station or a private hauler.
East Haddam Transfer Station
1 Plains Rd, Moodus, CT 06469
Transfer station detailsTown offices and contacts
East Haddam Town Hall is at 1 Plains Rd, P.O. Box 385, Moodus, CT 06469. Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Tue 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; Fri 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.. Main line: (860) 873-5020. Each link opens that office's page on the town's website.
- Town HallMain line and town website(860) 873-5020
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.(860) 873-5020
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.(860) 873-5020
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.(860) 873-5020
- Transfer StationTown trash and recycling drop-off.(860) 873-5020
- Land Use / Planning & ZoningBuilding, planning and zoning permits and review.(860) 873-5020
- Recreation DepartmentParks and recreation programs.
- East Haddam Public School SystemEast Haddam's school district.
East Haddam, CT FAQ: taxes, prices and town services
The short answers. Call or text us for the long ones.
What is the mill rate in East Haddam, CT?
East Haddam's 2026–27 mill rate is 28.67, which is $28.67 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Some areas also pay a fire or special district tax on top of that. The motor vehicle rate is 28.67 mills.
How much are property taxes on a $500,000 home in East Haddam?
Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of appraised value, so a $500,000 home would be assessed at about $350,000. At 28.67 mills that's about $10,034 a year, or about $836 a month, before any district tax. The actual bill depends on the town assessor's appraisal, not the price you pay.
What is the median home price in East Haddam, CT?
In the 12 months from October 2024 through September 2025, the median single-family sale in East Haddam was $407,000 across 126 sales, compared with $400,000 the year before. The median condo sale was $312,000 across 5 sales.
When is East Haddam's next revaluation?
East Haddam's next revaluation takes effect October 1, 2027, on the state's schedule. The new assessments first show up on the tax bills due in July 2028.
What county is East Haddam, CT in?
East Haddam is in Middlesex County.
What are East Haddam's ZIP codes?
East Haddam uses 06423 (East Haddam) and 06469 (Moodus).
How does trash pickup work in East Haddam?
There is no curbside town pickup; residents use the transfer station at 1 Plains Road in Moodus or a private hauler.
How far is East Haddam from Middletown?
About 15 miles, roughly a 25–30 minute drive.
Is there a train near East Haddam?
No, the nearest Shore Line East station is in Old Saybrook; East Haddam has no fixed-route local bus service.
What are East Haddam Town Hall's hours?
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m. to noon.
Towns near East Haddam
Neighbors of East Haddam 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 East Haddam sales recorded October 1 to September 30, leaving out sales the town flagged as non-market.
- East Haddam, Connecticut - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of East Haddam, Connecticut - official website: easthaddam.org
- East Haddam - Hours and Locations: easthaddam.org
- East Haddam - Transfer Station: easthaddam.org
- Gillette Castle State Park - CT Parks: ctparks.com
- Devil's Hopyard State Park - CT Parks: ctparks.com
- Goodspeed Opera House: goodspeed.org
- The Gelston House: gelstonhouse.com
- Goodspeed Opera House photo - Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Walkability: Walk Score®, Bike Score® and Transit Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.