First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Hampshire County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Belchertown, Massachusetts
Belchertown is a town in Hampshire County, the largest by area in the county at 55.4 square miles. First settled by colonists in 1727 and incorporated in 1761 as Belcher's Town, for then-Governor Jonathan Belcher, it borders the western branch of the Quabbin Reservoir on its eastern side. Its town common, with a Civil War monument and a bandstand, sits at the center of the village along Routes 9 and 202.
Belchertown at a glance
- $15.13Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,622Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 25-30 minDrive to Springfield
- HampshireCounty
Belchertown's villages and zip codes
Belchertown uses a single ZIP code, 01007, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Belchertown center | 01007 | The town common along Main Street (Route 9), where Town Hall, the Civil War monument, and the Clapp Memorial Library are located. |
| Dwight (North Belchertown) | 01007 | A historic village section in the northern part of town. |
Things to do in Belchertown, MA
Start with Belchertown Town Common and Clapp Memorial Library, then 3 more below.
Belchertown Town Common
A large town green with a Civil War soldiers' monument referencing Gettysburg, a flagpole, and a bandstand, bordered by historic homes and municipal buildings.
Main St, Belchertown, MA
Clapp Memorial Library
The town's public library, built in 1887 in memory of John Francis Clapp.
Main St, Belchertown, MA
Stone House Museum
A museum operated by the Belchertown Historical Association in a historic stone building, with local history exhibits.
Belchertown, MA
Lampson Brook Farm / Carriage Grove
A roughly 385-acre former state property being redeveloped with conservation and recreation uses, including the Lake Wallace Sensory Trail.
State St, Belchertown, MA
Jessica's Boundless Playground
An accessible, universally designed playground built for children of all abilities.
Belchertown, MA
More worth a visit
- Robert Frost TrailA hiking trail passing through Belchertown as part of a longer regional trail network.
- Metacomet-Monadnock Trail / New England TrailA long-distance hiking trail with a segment through Belchertown.
Around the calendar
- SummerBelchertown FairAn annual community fair held in town.
A little history
The area was first settled by European colonists in 1727 and was known as Cold Spring before its 1761 incorporation as Belcher's Town, named for then-Massachusetts Governor Jonathan Belcher.
The Old Bay Path, a colonial post road dating to soon after 1660, ran through Belchertown connecting Boston to points west.
In the 19th century, Belchertown manufactured coaches and sleighs, earning a reputation as a carriage-industry town.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Belchertown
Belchertown's size gives it access to the Quabbin Reservoir's western branch on its eastern side, several lakes and ponds, and former state-owned land now open for conservation and recreation.
- Quabbin Reservoir, western branchThe western branch of the Quabbin Reservoir borders Belchertown's eastern side, part of the larger Quabbin Reservation.
- Lake Wallace Sensory TrailAn accessible walking trail on former state-owned land near Lake Wallace.
- Norwottuck Rail TrailThe eastern terminus of an 11-mile paved rail trail running from Northampton through Hadley and Amherst to Belchertown.
Walkability and getting around Belchertown
Belchertown center around the town common has sidewalks connecting Town Hall, the library, and nearby shops, but most of the town, given its large land area, is spread out and built for driving.
Drive times
- Springfield, about 18 miles25-30 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 32 miles40-45 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Belchertown has no fixed-route public transit or train station of its own. The New England Central Railroad runs freight service through town; former Amtrak Vermonter passenger service was rerouted away from Belchertown in 2014.
Belchertown property taxes
Belchertown's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.13 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,513 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,622, on an average assessed value of $437,703.
Belchertown's FY2026 tax rates
$15.13per $1,000, residential
- Residential$15.13 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$437,703
- Average single-family tax bill$6,622
- 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 | $17.66 |
| FY2023 | $16.32 |
| FY2024 | $15.32 |
| FY2025 | $14.51 |
| FY2026 | $15.13 |
Look up a Belchertown property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-323-0413
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Belchertown
What we check on a Belchertown purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, wells & septic.
Check the flood zone first
The Swift River forms part of Belchertown's eastern border near the Quabbin Reservoir; low-lying parcels near the river can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for BelchertownSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Belchertown Fire Department before the sale closes.
Massachusetts 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. Belchertown's Fire Department handles these inspections.
Rural areas may use private wells and septic systems
Given Belchertown's large land area, many outlying properties rely on private wells and septic systems rather than town water and sewer. Confirm which utilities serve a specific property before making an offer.
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 Belchertown?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Belchertown address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Belchertown: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Belchertown.
- 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
Belchertown Town Hall is at 1 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA 01007. Main line: 413-323-0403.
- Town HallMain line and website413-323-0403
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.413-323-0281 ext. 340
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.413-323-0413
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.413-323-0400
- Inspection Services / Building InspectorBuilding permits and inspections.413-323-0402 ext. 318
- Planning DepartmentZoning, land use, and planning applications.413-323-0407
- Parks & RecreationTown parks, recreation programs, and facility reservations.413-323-0419
- Department of Public WorksRoads, trash and recycling, and infrastructure.413-323-0415
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificate inspections.413-323-7571
- Board of HealthPublic health, septic and well permitting.413-323-0406
- Clapp Memorial LibraryThe town's public library.413-323-0417
- Belchertown Public SchoolsThe town's public school district.
Belchertown, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Belchertown, MA?
Belchertown's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.13 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 Belchertown?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,052 a year at $15.13 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Belchertown have a split tax rate?
No. Belchertown uses a single rate of $15.13 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Belchertown?
The average single-family tax bill in Belchertown was $6,622 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $437,703.
What county is Belchertown, MA in?
Belchertown is in Hampshire County; at 55.4 square miles, it is the largest town in the county by area.
What ZIP code does Belchertown use?
Belchertown uses a single ZIP code, 01007, for the whole town.
How far is Belchertown from Springfield?
Belchertown is about 18 miles from Springfield, roughly a 25-30 minute drive.
Is there a train station in Belchertown?
No. Belchertown has no passenger train service; former Amtrak Vermonter service through town was rerouted in 2014.
Does Belchertown border the Quabbin Reservoir?
Yes. The western branch of the Quabbin Reservoir borders Belchertown's eastern side.
Which towns border Belchertown?
Belchertown borders Pelham, New Salem, Ware, Palmer, Ludlow, Granby, and Amherst.
Towns near Belchertown
Neighbors of Belchertown, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Belchertown, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Belchertown official website: belchertown.org
- Staff Directory - Belchertown, MA: belchertown.org
- Belchertown MA USA.jpg - 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: Norman Walsh, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.