Ayer center
1 Main Street, Ayer, MA 01432
Living in Ayer, Massachusetts
Ayer is a town in Middlesex County set off from parts of Groton, Shirley, and Harvard and incorporated in 1871, named for Lowell pharmaceutical manufacturer Dr. James Cook Ayer. The town became a major railroad junction in the 1800s and includes the Devens census-designated place, part of the former Fort Devens Army post established in 1917. Ayer uses a single ZIP code, 01432.
Ayer at a glance
- $11.59Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,625Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-25 minDrive to Fitchburg
- MiddlesexCounty
Ayer's villages and zip codes
Ayer center uses ZIP code 01432; the shared Devens area uses 01434.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Ayer center | 01432 | The town's main village along Main Street, with Town Hall and the Ayer Main Street Historic District. |
| Devens | 01434 | A census-designated place on the former Fort Devens Army post, shared with Harvard and Shirley. |
Things to do in Ayer, MA
Start with Ayer Main Street Historic District and Fort Devens Historic District, then 3 more below.
Ayer Main Street Historic District
A historic district of commercial buildings reflecting Ayer's growth as a 19th-century railroad junction town.
Main Street, Ayer, MA
Fort Devens Historic District
The historic core of the former Fort Devens Army post, established in 1917 and closed in 1996; part of the property remains an active reserve training area.
Devens, MA
Nashua River Rail Trail
A paved rail trail whose southern segment starts in Ayer and runs north along the former railbed toward the New Hampshire line.
Ayer, MA
St. Andrew's Church
A church building dating to 1892 in Ayer's historic downtown.
Ayer, MA
Billiards Cafe
Ayer, MA
More worth a visit
- Community Memorial Hospital buildingA historic hospital building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A little history
The area was originally settled in 1667 as part of Groton before Ayer was set off and incorporated as its own town on February 14, 1871, named for Lowell pharmaceutical manufacturer Dr. James Cook Ayer.
Ayer became a major railroad junction in the 1800s, with multiple intersecting rail lines meeting in town.
Fort Devens was established in 1917 as a World War I Army training facility; it closed as an active post in 1996, and part of the property continues as a reserve training area within present-day Devens.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Ayer
Ayer's outdoor recreation includes the Nashua River Rail Trail, whose southern end starts in town, plus open land at Devens on the site of the former Fort Devens.
- Nashua River Rail TrailA paved multi-use trail beginning in Ayer and running north along a former rail corridor.
- Nashua River and Nonacoicus BrookWaterways bordering Ayer, used for fishing and paddling access.
Walkability and getting around Ayer
Downtown Ayer, around the Main Street Historic District and the commuter rail station, has sidewalks connecting shops and the rail trail, but Devens and the town's outlying areas are built around driving.
Drive times
- Fitchburg, about 15 miles20-25 min
- Logan International Airport, about 40 miles50-60 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
MBTA commuter rail on the Fitchburg Line stops at Ayer station, connecting to Boston's North Station. The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) also serves the town.
Ayer property taxes
Ayer's most recent certified residential tax rate is $11.59 per $1,000 of assessed value, for FY2026 (July 2025 to June 2026). Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $25.20. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,159 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,625, on an average assessed value of $571,644.
Ayer's FY2026 tax rates
$11.59per $1,000, residential
- Residential$11.59 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$25.20 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$571,644
- Average single-family tax bill$6,625
- 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 | $13.42 |
| FY2023 | $12.42 |
| FY2024 | $12.25 |
| FY2025 | $11.96 |
| FY2026 | $11.59 |
Look up a Ayer property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-772-8220 ext. 140
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Ayer
Things to look into on a Ayer purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, private trash haulers.
MassHousing home loans
MassHousing sets income limits by community, and they depend on household size and loan program. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans (opens in a new tab)Check the flood zone first
Ayer is bordered by the Nashua River and Nonacoicus Brook, putting low-lying parcels near both waterways in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We take an early look at FEMA's map before you offer. That's not a flood determination: the official determination ordered with your loan decides whether flood insurance is required.
FEMA's flood map for Ayer (opens in a new tab)Smoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Ayer Fire Department before the sale closes.
Trash service is arranged directly with a private hauler
Ayer does not run municipal curbside collection; residents choose from several licensed private haulers, or use the town's transfer station on Groton-Harvard Road with a vehicle permit.
Massachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing
Sellers need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before closing. Ayer's Fire Department, at 1 West Main Street, handles these inspections.
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 Ayer?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Ayer address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Ayer: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Ayer.
- WaterAyer Water Department (public water system), including the Grove Pond Water Treatment Facility
- Sewer or septicThe town operates a public sewer system with its own wastewater treatment plant.
- Trash and recyclingAyer does not run a municipal curbside program; residents contract individually with one of several licensed private trash haulers, including D&D Waste Removal, E.L. Harvey and Sons, Republic Services, Waste Management, and others. The town also operates a transfer station for residents with a vehicle permit.
- 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
Ayer Transfer Station
100 Groton-Harvard Road, Ayer, MA 01432 Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 7am-3pm
Transfer station details (opens in a new tab)Town Hall offices and contacts
Ayer Town Hall is at 1 Main Street, Ayer, MA 01432. Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8am-4pm; Tuesday 8am-6pm; Friday 8am-2pm. Main line: 978-772-8220.
- Town HallMain line and website978-772-8220
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.978-772-8220 ext. 153
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.978-772-8220 ext. 140
- Treasurer/Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-772-8220 ext. 152
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.978-772-8220 ext. 154
- Planning BoardZoning, land use, and planning applications.978-772-8220 ext. 144
- Parks & RecreationTown parks and recreation programs.978-796-5915
- Department of Public WorksRoads, water, sewer, and the transfer station.978-772-8240
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificate inspections.978-772-8231
- Board of HealthPublic health functions; septic and well matters partly handled through the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health.978-772-8220 ext. 145
- Library TrusteesThe town's public library board.
Ayer, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Ayer, MA?
Ayer's most recent certified residential tax rate is $11.59 per $1,000 of assessed value, for FY2026 (July 2025 to June 2026). Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $25.20. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Ayer?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,636 a year at $11.59 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Ayer have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $11.59 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $25.20.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Ayer?
The average single-family tax bill in Ayer was $6,625 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $571,644.
Is trash pickup curbside or through a private hauler in Ayer?
Ayer residents contract individually with a licensed private trash hauler; the town does not run a municipal curbside program. A transfer station on Groton-Harvard Road is also available with a vehicle permit.
What ZIP codes does Ayer use?
Ayer center uses 01432, and the shared Devens area uses 01434.
Is there train service in Ayer?
Yes. MBTA commuter rail on the Fitchburg Line stops at Ayer station, connecting to Boston's North Station.
Where do septic and well permits go through in Ayer?
Ayer's Board of Health handles these along with the regional Nashoba Associated Boards of Health, headquartered in town at 30 Central Avenue.
What is Devens?
Devens is a census-designated place on the former Fort Devens Army post, established in 1917 and closed as an active post in 1996, shared among Ayer, Harvard, and Shirley.
How far is Ayer from Fitchburg?
Ayer is about 15 miles from Fitchburg, roughly a 20-25 minute drive.
Towns near Ayer
Neighbors of Ayer, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Ayer, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Ayer official website: ayer.ma.us
- Staff Directory - Ayer, MA: ayer.ma.us
- Transfer Station/Solid Waste - Ayer, MA: ayer.ma.us
- Trash Haulers - Ayer, MA: ayer.ma.us
- Nashoba Associated Boards of Health - Ayer, MA: ayer.ma.us
- Fire Department - Ayer, MA: ayer.ma.us
- Main Street, Ayer MA 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® ratings, provided live by Walk Score. Addresses are located with the U.S. Census Bureau geocoder.
- Photo: "Main Street, Ayer MA" by John Phelan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; resized.
- Checked September 25, 2026.