View of mills in downtown Adams, Massachusetts.

Living in Adams, Massachusetts

Adams sits in the Hoosic River valley in northern Berkshire County, with Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, rising along its eastern border. It was incorporated in 1778 and named for revolutionary leader Samuel Adams. Nineteenth-century cotton mills along the river built the brick downtown on Park Street, and the town was the birthplace of women's suffrage leader Susan B. Anthony in 1820.

Adams center Maple Grove Renfrew

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated September 25, 2026

Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, CC0

Adams at a glance

$15.63Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
$4,138Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
20-25 minDrive to Pittsfield
BerkshireCounty

Adams's villages and zip codes

Adams uses ZIP code 01220.

Adams villages and zip codes
Area	Zip code	Where it is
Adams center	01220	The downtown along Park Street and Route 8, where Town Hall, the library and the historic mill-era brick blocks are located.
Maple Grove	01220	A section of town along the Hoosic River, historically home to mill housing.
Renfrew	01220	A section of town named for the former Renfrew Manufacturing Company mill.

Things to do in Adams, MA

Start with Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum and Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, then 1 more below.

Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum
A museum in the house where women's suffrage leader Susan B. Anthony was born in 1820, with exhibits on her life and the suffrage movement.
Seasonal
67 East Road, Adams, MA
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
A paved multi-use trail built on a former rail bed, running through Adams along the Hoosic River between Lanesborough and North Adams, used for walking, biking and skating.
FreeYear-round
Access points along Route 8, Adams, MA
Plan a visit
Mount Greylock State Reservation
The state reservation around Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, with hiking trails, a summit road and the Bascom Lodge, reached from Adams's eastern side.
FreeSeasonal
Rockwell Road, Adams, MA
Plan a visit

More worth a visit

Adams Agricultural FairAn annual agricultural fair held in town.

A little history

Adams was incorporated in 1778 and named for revolutionary leader Samuel Adams; Quaker settlers had arrived from Rhode Island in the 1760s.

The War of 1812 cut off British textile imports, spurring the growth of mills along the Hoosic River, including the Adams South Village Cotton Manufacture Company, founded in 1814.

Susan B. Anthony was born in Adams in 1820; her birthplace is preserved as a museum.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Adams

Mount Greylock and the Hoosic River give Adams both mountain trails and a flat riverside rail trail within town.

Ashuwillticook Rail TrailA paved rail trail along the Hoosic River through Adams, connecting to Lanesborough and North Adams.More information
Mount Greylock State ReservationHiking trails and a summit road up Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, on Adams's eastern border.More information

Walkability and getting around Adams

Downtown Adams has sidewalks along Park Street connecting the historic mill-era buildings, Town Hall and the library, but most of the town outside the center is built for driving.

Adams center

8 Park Street, Adams, MA 01220

Drive times

Pittsfield, about 15 miles20-25 min
Albany International Airport, about 40 miles50-55 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

Adams lies along the northern route of the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) bus system. There is no passenger rail station in town; regional bus and air service (Harriman-and-West Airport) are in neighboring North Adams.

Adams property taxes

Adams's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.63 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $21.51. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,563 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,138, on an average assessed value of $264,725.

Adams's FY2026 tax rates

$15.63per $1,000, residential

Residential$15.63 per $1,000
Commercial, industrial, personal property$21.51 per $1,000
Average single-family assessed value$264,725
Average single-family tax bill$4,138
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	$20.89
FY2023	$18.55
FY2024	$17.54
FY2025	$17.01
FY2026	$15.63

Look up a Adams property

FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
Town ClerkVital records and town records
Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-743-8300 ext. 178
Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county

Buying a home in Adams

What we check on a Adams purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke certificate.

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Berkshire County. We check them with you before you shop.

MassHousing home loans

Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

The Hoosic River runs through the Adams valley floor, putting low-lying parcels near the river in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Adams

Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Adams Fire Department before the sale closes.

Smoke certificate

Smoke and CO certificate needed before closing

Massachusetts sellers need a smoke and carbon monoxide detector certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close.

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 Adams?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Adams address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Call (860) 398-5268 Text us Email the team

Compare loan options Our process

Moving to Adams: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Adams: Eversource for power.

ElectricEversource
Natural gasBerkshire Gas Company serves parts of town; some areas have no natural gas service
WaterTown of Adams water system, a municipal utility
Sewer or septicTown of Adams provides municipal sewer service in the developed parts of town.
Trash and recyclingAdams operates a transfer station and recycling center on East Road for residents to bring trash and recyclables.
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

Adams Transfer Station/Recycling Center

300 East Road, Adams, MA 01220 Wednesday 10 AM-2 PM, Saturday 7:30 AM-3 PM, and Thursday 3-7 PM from May 1 to September 15

Transfer station details

Town Hall offices and contacts

Adams Town Hall is at 8 Park Street, Adams, MA 01220. Main line: 413-743-8300.

Adams, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Adams, MA?

Adams's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.63 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $21.51. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.

How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Adams?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,252 a year at $15.63 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Adams have a split tax rate?

Yes. Homes pay $15.63 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $21.51.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Adams?

The average single-family tax bill in Adams was $4,138 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $264,725.

Does Adams have curbside trash pickup?

Adams operates a transfer station and recycling center on East Road where residents bring trash and recyclables; check with the town for current curbside options.

Who supplies electricity in Adams?

Eversource is the electric utility serving Adams.

What ZIP code does Adams use?

Adams uses ZIP code 01220.

How far is Adams from Pittsfield?

Adams is about 15 miles from Pittsfield, roughly a 20-25 minute drive.

Is there BRTA bus service in Adams?

Yes. Adams is on the northern route of the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority bus system.

Which towns border Adams?

Adams borders North Adams, Florida, Savoy, Cheshire, New Ashford and Williamstown, all in Massachusetts.

Towns near Adams

Neighbors of Adams, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources

Adams, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Town of Adams, MA - official website: town.adams.ma.us
Transfer Station/Recycling Center - Town of Adams: town.adams.ma.us
Town Clerk - Town of Adams directory: town.adams.ma.us
Board of Assessors - Town of Adams directory: town.adams.ma.us
Board of Health - Town of Adams directory: town.adams.ma.us
Adams Free Library - Town of Adams directory: town.adams.ma.us
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail - Mass.gov: mass.gov
Mount Greylock State Reservation - Mass.gov: mass.gov
View of mills in downtown Adams, Massachusetts, Library of Congress via 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: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Checked September 25, 2026.