Living in Ashfield, Massachusetts

Ashfield is a hill town in western Franklin County, in the eastern foothills of the Berkshires along the Hampshire County line. It was settled in 1743 as Huntstown and incorporated under its current name in 1765. Its town center, Ashfield Plain, sits along Route 116 near the junction with Route 112, with Ashfield Lake and the South River nearby.

Ashfield Plain Beldingville Baptist Corner

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

Ashfield at a glance

$14.23Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
$5,518Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
25-30 minDrive to Greenfield
FranklinCounty

Ashfield's villages and zip codes

Most of Ashfield uses ZIP code 01330; a section of town near Shelburne Falls uses 01370.

Ashfield villages and zip codes
Area	Zip code	Where it is
Ashfield Plain	01330	The town center along Route 116, where Town Hall, the library and the general store are located.
Beldingville	01330	A historic section in the northern part of town.
Baptist Corner	01330	A historic section in the northern part of town.

Things to do in Ashfield, MA

Start with Ashfield Lake and Elmer's Store, then 2 more below.

Ashfield Lake
A town lake off Route 116 used for swimming, fishing and non-motorized boating, and the source of the South River.
Year-round
Route 116, Ashfield, MA
Elmer's Store
A country store and restaurant on Main Street serving weekend breakfast and brunch and Friday dinners, a long-running gathering spot in the town center.
Year-round
396 Main St, Ashfield, MA 01330
Plan a visit
Ashfield Fall Festival
An annual town festival on Columbus Day weekend with live music, food vendors and crafts on the town common and at Elmer's Community Center.
Seasonal
Ashfield town center
Poland Brook Wildlife Management Area
A state wildlife management area with trails and brook access for hiking and birdwatching.
FreeYear-round
Ashfield, MA

Around the calendar

October
Ashfield Fall FestivalA community festival on Columbus Day weekend with music, food and crafts.

A little history

The area was settled by Europeans in 1743 and originally called Huntstown for Captain Ephraim Hunt; it was reincorporated under the name Ashfield in 1765.

Ashfield had a notable nineteenth-century peppermint-growing and distilling industry alongside its agrarian economy.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Ashfield

Ashfield's hills, brooks and lake give it a mix of swimming, fishing and woodland trails typical of the Franklin County hill towns.

Ashfield LakeSwimming, fishing and non-motorized boating on a town lake that feeds the South River.
Poland Brook Wildlife Management AreaA state-managed area with trails along Poland Brook.
Daughters of the American Revolution State ForestA state forest with portions extending into Ashfield, used for hiking.

Where to eat in Ashfield: restaurants and coffee

1 places in Ashfield to try, including country store and restaurant. No one paid to be listed.

Elmer's Store
Country store and restaurant
A general store and restaurant in the town center serving weekend breakfast and brunch and Friday dinners.
396 Main St, Ashfield, MA 01330 · elmersstore.com

Walkability and getting around Ashfield

Ashfield Plain has sidewalks connecting Town Hall, the library and the general store, but the rest of this hill town is rural and built for driving.

Drive times

Greenfield, about 15 miles25-30 min
Bradley International Airport, about 55 miles60-70 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

Ashfield has no fixed-route public transit or train service; the nearest Amtrak Valley Flyer station is in Greenfield, about 25-30 minutes away by car.

Ashfield property taxes

Ashfield's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.23 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,423 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,518, on an average assessed value of $387,740.

Ashfield's FY2026 tax rates

$14.23per $1,000, residential

Residential$14.23 per $1,000
Average single-family assessed value$387,740
Average single-family tax bill$5,518
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	$17.38
FY2023	$17.61
FY2024	$14.61
FY2025	$13.46
FY2026	$14.23

Look up a Ashfield property

FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
Town ClerkVital records and town records
Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county

Buying a home in Ashfield

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

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

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

MassHousing home loans

Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

The South River and its tributaries, including Ashfield Lake's outlet, put some low-lying parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Ashfield

Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

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

Ashfield Fire Department page

Well & septic

All properties use private wells and septic

Ashfield has no town water or sewer system, so every property relies on a private well and septic system. Buyers should budget for a Title 5 septic inspection before closing and a well water test.

Transfer station

No curbside trash pickup

Ashfield does not offer curbside trash collection; residents bring waste and recycling to the town transfer station with an annual permit sticker.

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 Ashfield?

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

Who to call in Ashfield: Eversource for power.

ElectricEversource
Natural gasNo natural gas service
WaterMostly private wells
Sewer or septicAshfield has no town sewer system; properties rely on private septic systems.
Trash and recyclingAshfield residents bring trash and recyclables to the town transfer station rather than curbside collection.
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

Philip F. Nolan III Memorial Transfer Station

851 Ashfield Mountain Road, Ashfield, MA 01330 Thursday 8am-noon, Saturday 8am-4pm, Sunday 8am-noon; closed holidays

$80 annual sticker

Transfer station details

Town Hall offices and contacts

Ashfield Town Hall is at 412 Main Street, Ashfield, MA 01330. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm (varies by department). Main line: 413-628-4441.

Ashfield, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Ashfield, MA?

Ashfield's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.23 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 Ashfield?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,692 a year at $14.23 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Ashfield have a split tax rate?

No. Ashfield uses a single rate of $14.23 per $1,000 for all property classes.

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

The average single-family tax bill in Ashfield was $5,518 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $387,740.

What county is Ashfield, MA in?

Ashfield is in Franklin County.

Is there curbside trash pickup in Ashfield?

No. Ashfield residents use the town transfer station on Ashfield Mountain Road, which requires an annual permit sticker.

Who supplies electricity in Ashfield?

Eversource serves the Ashfield area.

What ZIP codes does Ashfield use?

Most of Ashfield uses 01330; a section near Shelburne Falls uses 01370.

How far is Ashfield from Greenfield?

Ashfield is about 15 miles from Greenfield, roughly a 25-30 minute drive.

Is there a train station in Ashfield?

No. Ashfield has no train station; the nearest Amtrak Valley Flyer station is in Greenfield.

Towns near Ashfield

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

Sources

Ashfield, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Town of Ashfield official website: ashfield.org
Hours & Information - Ashfield, MA: ashfield.org
Transfer Station & Recycling Center - Ashfield, MA: ashfield.org
Town Government - Ashfield, MA: ashfield.org
Elmer's Store: elmersstore.com
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.
Checked September 25, 2026.