Route 71 heading westbound through Alford, Massachusetts, with the Taconic Range visible in the distance.

Living in Alford, Massachusetts

Alford is a small town in southern Berkshire County on the New York border, surrounded by hills and mountains of the Taconic Range. First settled in 1756, it separated from Great Barrington and was incorporated in 1773, taking its name from Colonel John Alford. General Henry Knox's 1776 route hauling cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston passed through town, marked today by a Knox Trail marker at the state line on Route 71.

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

Photo: Adam Moss, CC BY-SA 2.0

Alford at a glance

$4.07Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
$5,191Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
BerkshireCounty
1773Year incorporated

Alford's zip code

Alford uses ZIP codes shared with neighboring post offices: 01230 (Great Barrington) and 01266 (West Stockbridge), depending on location in town.

Alford villages and zip codes
Area	Zip code	Where it is
Alford center	01230	Along Alford Center Road, where Town Hall is located.

Things to do in Alford, MA

Start with Knox Trail marker and Alford Village Church.

Knox Trail marker
A marker at the Massachusetts-New York state line on Route 71 commemorating General Henry Knox's 1776 route hauling cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston.
FreeYear-round
Route 71 at the state line, Alford, MA
Alford Village Church
A historic church landmark in the village center.
Year-round
Alford, MA

Around the calendar

October
Household Hazardous Waste DayAn annual collection event for household hazardous waste, held at the Transfer Station.

A little history

Alford was first settled in 1756 and separated from Great Barrington to incorporate as its own town in 1773.

The town was named for Colonel John Alford.

Marble mining took place in Alford from about 1799 into the 1890s, with stone reportedly supplying material for New York City Hall.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Alford

Alford sits among the hills and mountains of the Taconic Range, with rural roads like Route 71 giving views toward the ridgeline along the New York border.

Taconic Range viewsHills and mountains of the Taconic Range surround the town, visible from roads including Route 71.

Walkability and getting around Alford

Alford has no sidewalked village center; it is a small, rural town built for driving, with Route 71 as one of its main roads.

Drive times

Pittsfield, about 19 miles

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

Alford has no fixed-route public transit or train station.

Alford property taxes

Alford's FY2026 residential tax rate is $4.07 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $407 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,191, on an average assessed value of $1,275,435.

Alford's FY2026 tax rates

$4.07per $1,000, residential

Residential$4.07 per $1,000
Average single-family assessed value$1,275,435
Average single-family tax bill$5,191
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	$5.25
FY2023	$5.00
FY2024	$4.95
FY2025	$4.95
FY2026	$4.07

Look up a Alford property

FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
Town ClerkVital records and town records
Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-528-4536 ext. 103
Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county

Buying a home in Alford

What we check on a Alford purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, well & septic.

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

Alford Brook and other small streams cross town; a 2013 bridge replacement project on Alford Brook was noted by the state transportation department. Low-lying land near these streams can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Alford

Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Alford Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 413-528-5156 to schedule.

Alford Fire Department page

Well & septic

Homes rely on private wells and septic

Alford has no townwide public water or sewer system; properties use private wells and septic systems, permitted through the Board of Health's sanitary inspectors. Buyers should confirm well and septic condition, including a Title 5 inspection, before closing.

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 Alford?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Alford 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 Alford: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Alford.

WaterMostly private wells
Sewer or septicMostly private septic systems
Trash and recyclingAlford operates a transfer station with scheduled hours, listed on the town calendar, including an annual Household Hazardous Waste Day.
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

Alford Town Hall is at 5 Alford Center Rd, Alford, MA 01230. Main line: 413-528-4536.

Alford, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Alford, MA?

Alford's FY2026 residential tax rate is $4.07 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 Alford?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $1,628 a year at $4.07 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Alford have a split tax rate?

No. Alford uses a single rate of $4.07 per $1,000 for all property classes.

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

The average single-family tax bill in Alford was $5,191 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,275,435.

What county is Alford, MA in?

Alford is in Berkshire County.

What ZIP codes does Alford use?

Alford uses 01230 (Great Barrington) or 01266 (West Stockbridge) depending on location in town.

How far is Alford from Pittsfield?

Alford is about 19 miles from Pittsfield.

Does Alford have curbside trash pickup?

No confirmed curbside service; the town operates a transfer station with scheduled hours.

Which towns border Alford?

Alford borders West Stockbridge, Great Barrington and Egremont in Massachusetts, and Hillsdale and Austerlitz in New York.

What is the Knox Trail marker in Alford?

A marker at the state line on Route 71 commemorating General Henry Knox's 1776 route hauling cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston.

Towns near Alford

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

Sources

Alford, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Town of Alford, MA official website: townofalford.org
Staff Directory - Town of Alford, MA: townofalford.org
Massachusetts Route 71 in Alford 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: Adam Moss, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Checked September 25, 2026.