First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Acton, Massachusetts
Acton is a town in Middlesex County about 21 miles west-northwest of Boston, first settled in 1639 and incorporated in 1735. It is built around several distinct village centers - Acton Center, West Acton, South Acton, East Acton and North Acton - and is served by the MBTA Commuter Rail's South Acton station on the Fitchburg Line.
Acton at a glance
- $16.23Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $15,220Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- MiddlesexCounty
- 1735Year incorporated
Acton's villages and zip codes
Acton uses ZIP code 01720; the Nagog Woods development in North Acton uses 01718.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Acton Center | 01720 | The civic hub of town, primarily residential and municipal. |
| West Acton | 01720 | A commercial area centered along Route 111. |
| South Acton | 01720 | A historically industrial village with former mills, and home to the MBTA's South Acton commuter rail station. |
| East Acton | 01720 | A largely residential area with a commercial base along the Route 2A corridor. |
| North Acton | 01718 | Home to commercial complexes along the Route 2A/119 corridor and the Nagog Woods residential development, which has its own ZIP code. |
Things to do in Acton, MA
Start with Acton Arboretum and Great Hill, then 3 more below.
Acton Arboretum
A 53-acre town-owned arboretum with gardens and walking paths.
Acton, MA
Great Hill
A 185-acre conservation area, one of the largest blocks of town conservation land.
Acton, MA
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail
A paved rail-trail running through Acton, popular for walking and biking.
Acton, MA
Assabet River Rail Trail
A paved multi-use trail connecting Acton to neighboring towns along a former rail line.
Acton, MA
Nagog Pond
A pond on Acton's northern border, part of the town's forested landscape of drumlins and kettle ponds.
North Acton, MA
A little history
Acton was first settled in 1639 and incorporated as a separate town in 1735.
Acton minutemen under Captain Isaac Davis marched to the North Bridge fight on April 19, 1775; Davis was killed there, among the first officers to die in the Revolutionary War.
Through the 19th century Acton was an industrial center producing barrels, powder, and goods from gristmills and sawmills.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Acton
Almost all of Acton is forested, with more than 1,650 acres of town conservation land, nine drumlins and kettle ponds including Wills Hole and Grassy Pond.
- Acton ArboretumGardens and walking paths on 53 acres.
- Great Hill185 acres of conservation land.
- Nashoba Brook and Fort Pond BrookBrook systems that thread through Acton's conservation land.
- Bruce Freeman Rail TrailPaved rail-trail for walking and biking.
Walkability and getting around Acton
West Acton and South Acton have walkable commercial nodes; East Acton and North Acton are built around road corridors, and Acton overall is a mix of village centers connected by car.
Drive times
- Boston, about 21 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
MBTA Commuter Rail's South Acton station serves the Fitchburg Line to Boston's North Station. Yankee Lines also runs commuter bus service.
Acton property taxes
Acton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $16.23 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,623 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $15,220, on an average assessed value of $937,779.
Acton's FY2026 tax rates
$16.23per $1,000, residential
- Residential$16.23 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$937,779
- Average single-family tax bill$15,220
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $19.45 |
| FY2023 | $17.56 |
| FY2024 | $16.67 |
| FY2025 | $17.15 |
| FY2026 | $16.23 |
Look up a Acton property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-929-6621
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Acton
What we check on a Acton purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, water district vs. wells, smoke/co certificate.
Check the flood zone first
Flood zones are set address by address. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for ActonSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Acton Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-929-7722 to schedule.
Acton Fire Department pageMost of town is on the Acton Water District
The Acton Water District, established in 1912, supplies roughly 90% of Acton residents from seven wells. The remaining homes rely on private wells, so buyers outside the district's service area should ask about well water testing.
Fire Department inspection required before closing
Massachusetts law requires a smoke and carbon-monoxide detector certificate of compliance before a home sale closes; in Acton this is scheduled through the Fire Department.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Acton?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Acton address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Acton: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Acton.
- WaterActon Water District, established in 1912, supplies roughly 90% of residents from seven wells.
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
Town Hall offices and contacts
Acton Town Hall is at 472 Main St, Acton, MA 01720. Main line: 978-929-6600.
- Town HallMain line and website978-929-6600
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments.978-929-6621
- Collector/TreasurerTax billing and payment.978-929-6622
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and licensing.978-929-6620
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections and well permits.978-929-6632
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.978-929-7722
- Building DepartmentPermits and inspections.978-929-6633
- Highway/DPWRoads and public works.978-929-7740
- Acton Memorial LibraryThe town's main public library.
- West Acton Citizens' LibraryA second public library serving West Acton.
- Acton-Boxborough Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Acton and Boxborough.
Acton, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Acton, MA?
Acton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $16.23 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Acton?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,492 a year at $16.23 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Acton have a split tax rate?
No. Acton uses a single rate of $16.23 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Acton?
The average single-family tax bill in Acton was $15,220 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $937,779.
What county is Acton, MA in?
Acton is in Middlesex County.
What ZIP codes does Acton use?
Acton uses 01720; the Nagog Woods development in North Acton uses 01718.
Who supplies water in Acton?
The Acton Water District supplies roughly 90% of residents from seven wells; other homes use private wells.
Is there a train station in Acton?
Yes. The MBTA Commuter Rail's South Acton station serves the Fitchburg Line to Boston.
Which towns border Acton?
Acton borders Westford, Littleton, Concord, Carlisle, Stow, Maynard, Sudbury and Boxborough.
What is required before selling a house in Acton?
Massachusetts law requires a smoke and carbon-monoxide detector certificate, inspected by the Acton Fire Department, before closing.
Towns near Acton
Neighbors of Acton, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Acton, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Acton, MA official website: actonma.gov
- Town of Acton Staff Directory: actonma.gov
- Acton Town Hall photo, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Actonit, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.