Ashland center
101 Main Street, Ashland, MA 01721
Living in Ashland, Massachusetts
Ashland is a town in Middlesex County in the MetroWest region, incorporated in 1846 and named for Henry Clay's Kentucky estate. It was the original starting point of the Boston Marathon from 1897 to 1923, and it was home to the Telechron clock factory, which gave the town the nickname "Clock Town."
Ashland at a glance
- $12.71Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $9,372Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 35-45 minDrive to Boston
- MiddlesexCounty
Ashland's zip code
Ashland uses a single ZIP code, 01721, for the entire town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Ashland center | 01721 | The town's civic center, where Town Hall and the commuter rail station are located. |
Things to do in Ashland, MA
Start with Ashland State Park and Ashland Town Forest, then 3 more below.
Ashland State Park
A 470-acre state park built around a 157-acre reservoir, with a hiking loop, a swimming beach, and boat rentals.
Ashland, MA
Ashland Town Forest
A 550-acre town forest with a network of hiking trails.
Ashland, MA
Stone's Public House
An 1832 railroad-era inn and restaurant with a history of reported hauntings, on the site of the town's original Boston Marathon starting line.
179 Main St, Ashland, MA
Sri Lakshmi Temple
A Hindu temple that opened in 1986 and is cited as the largest Hindu temple in New England.
Waverly Street, Ashland, MA
Ashland Farmers Market
A seasonal farmers market held on Saturdays from June through October.
Ashland, MA
A little history
Ashland was incorporated in 1846 and named after Henry Clay's Kentucky estate, Ashland.
Henry E. Warren invented the synchronous electric clock in Ashland in 1916; the Telechron company that grew from it employed about 2,000 residents at its 1950s peak, giving the town the nickname "Clock Town."
Ashland was the original starting point of the Boston Marathon from 1897 to 1923, before the start moved to Hopkinton.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Ashland
Ashland's outdoor recreation centers on Ashland State Park's reservoir and beach and on the trail network in the town forest.
- Ashland State ParkA 470-acre park with a 157-acre reservoir offering swimming, fishing, boat rentals, and a hiking loop.
- Ashland Town Forest550 acres of town-owned forest with hiking trails.
Where to eat in Ashland: restaurants and coffee
1 places in Ashland to try, including restaurant and pub. No one paid to be listed.
Stone's Public House
Restaurant and pub
An 1832 inn turned restaurant and pub on Main Street, near the site of the original Boston Marathon starting line.
179 Main St, Ashland, MA
Walkability and getting around Ashland
Ashland center has sidewalks connecting Town Hall, the commuter rail station, and nearby businesses along Main Street, but most of the town outside the center is built around driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 22 miles35-45 min
- Logan International Airport, about 28 miles45-55 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Ashland has its own MBTA Commuter Rail station on the Framingham/Worcester Line. The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority also runs Route 104 (Blandin Hub to Market Basket in Ashland) and Route 202 (Natick Center MBTA to Ashland MBTA via Route 135).
Ashland property taxes
Ashland's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.71 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,271 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $9,372, on an average assessed value of $737,364.
Ashland's FY2026 tax rates
$12.71per $1,000, residential
- Residential$12.71 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$737,364
- Average single-family tax bill$9,372
- 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 | $15.88 |
| FY2023 | $13.77 |
| FY2024 | $13.24 |
| FY2025 | $12.77 |
| FY2026 | $12.71 |
Look up a Ashland property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-881-0100 ext. 2012
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Ashland
What we check on a Ashland purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, pay-as-you-throw trash.
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 loansCheck the flood zone first
Ashland State Park is built around a 157-acre reservoir, and the Sudbury River and its tributaries run through parts of town, putting some low-lying parcels within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for AshlandSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Ashland Fire Department before the sale closes.
Ashland Fire Department pageMassachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing
Sellers in Massachusetts need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. Contact the Ashland Fire Department to schedule the inspection.
Ashland charges for trash by the bag
Ashland runs a pay-as-you-throw program: households pay an annual base fee plus the cost of official town trash bags, while recycling is free at curbside. Factor the annual base fee and bag costs into your household budget.
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 Ashland?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Ashland address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Ashland: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Ashland: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- WaterAshland Department of Public Works, Water Division
- Trash and recyclingAshland uses a pay-as-you-throw system: residents buy official orange town trash bags (small 14-gallon and large 33-gallon), sold at local retailers, while recycling is collected weekly at curbside at no per-bag cost. As of July 2024, an annual base fee of $235 applies ($125.58 for qualifying seniors), plus bag costs of about $9.10 for a roll of 5 small bags and $15.55 for a roll of 5 large bags. Trash is collected on a 4-day-a-week schedule (Tuesday-Friday) that does not shift for Monday holidays.
- 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
Ashland Town Hall is at 101 Main Street, Ashland, MA 01721. Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-3:30pm (Wednesday until 7pm); closed Friday. Main line: 508-881-0100.
- Town HallMain line and website508-881-0100
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.508-881-0100 ext. 7127
- Assessor's OfficeProperty values and assessments.508-881-0100 ext. 2012
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.508-881-0100 ext. 2016
- Building/Inspection ServicesBuilding permits and inspections.508-881-0100 ext. 1976
- Planning DepartmentZoning, land use, and planning applications.508-881-0100 ext. 7121
- Parks & RecreationTown parks, recreation programs, and Ashland State Park programming.508-881-0140 ext. 7947
- Department of Public WorksRoads, trash and recycling, and water service.508-881-0120
- Ashland Public LibraryThe town's public library.508-881-0134
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections and well permits.508-881-0100 ext. 1975
Ashland, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Ashland, MA?
Ashland's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.71 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 Ashland?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,084 a year at $12.71 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Ashland have a split tax rate?
No. Ashland uses a single rate of $12.71 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Ashland?
The average single-family tax bill in Ashland was $9,372 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $737,364.
What ZIP code does Ashland use?
Ashland uses a single ZIP code, 01721, for the entire town.
Is trash pickup curbside or pay-as-you-throw in Ashland?
Ashland uses a pay-as-you-throw system: residents pay an annual base fee and buy official town trash bags, while recycling is collected weekly at curbside at no per-bag cost.
Who supplies electricity in Ashland?
Eversource provides electric service in Ashland.
Is there a train station in Ashland?
Yes. Ashland has its own MBTA Commuter Rail station on the Framingham/Worcester Line.
Is there local bus service in Ashland?
The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority runs Route 104 and Route 202 through Ashland, connecting to Natick Center and the Blandin Hub.
How far is Ashland from Boston?
Ashland is about 22 miles west of Boston, roughly a 35-45 minute drive depending on traffic.
Towns near Ashland
Neighbors of Ashland, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Ashland, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Ashland official website: ashlandmass.com
- Ashland, MA Directory: ashlandmass.com
- Rubbish & Recycling - Ashland, MA: ashlandmass.com
- MetroWest Regional Transit Authority - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Ashland Public Library 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: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.