First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Norfolk County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Bellingham, Massachusetts
Bellingham is a town in Norfolk County on the southwestern fringe of Metropolitan Boston, about 30 miles from Boston and 20 miles north of Providence, Rhode Island. Settled in 1713 and incorporated in 1719 as Bellingham (originally called Westham), it lies along Interstate 495 and belongs to both the Boston and Providence metropolitan areas. The Charles River runs along the town's southern boundary.
Bellingham at a glance
- $12.39Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,073Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 25-35 minDrive to Providence, RI
- NorfolkCounty
Bellingham's villages and zip codes
Bellingham uses ZIP code 02019.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Bellingham center | 02019 | Around Mechanic Street and Center Street, where the Municipal Center and Union Cemetery are located. |
| Caryville | 02019 | A village section of Bellingham noted in Norfolk County municipal listings. |
Things to do in Bellingham, MA
Start with Municipal Center grounds.
Municipal Center grounds
The town's central municipal campus on Mechanic Street, near Union Cemetery.
10 Mechanic Street, Bellingham, MA
A little history
Bellingham was settled in 1713 and incorporated on November 27, 1719; it was originally called Westham before being renamed for Richard Bellingham, an early governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Deborah Sampson enlisted in Bellingham under the alias 'Robert Shurtlieff' to serve in the Continental Army, becoming one of the earliest documented American women soldiers.
During the Industrial Revolution, several man-made ponds were built in Bellingham on former swampland to support local industry.
Walkability and getting around Bellingham
Bellingham center around the Municipal Center has sidewalks connecting nearby municipal buildings, but most of the town's neighborhoods along Route 126 and Interstate 495 are built around driving.
Drive times
- Providence, RI, about 20 miles25-35 min
- T.F. Green International Airport, about 25 miles35-45 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Bellingham does not have its own commuter rail station; the nearest MBTA service is the Franklin/Foxboro Line at Franklin station. Interstate 495 crosses the northern end of town with an exit at Hartford Avenue, and state Routes 126 and 140 also serve the town.
Bellingham property taxes
Bellingham's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.39 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $19.45. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,239 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,073, on an average assessed value of $490,174.
Bellingham's FY2026 tax rates
$12.39per $1,000, residential
- Residential$12.39 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$19.45 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$490,174
- Average single-family tax bill$6,073
- 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 | $14.08 |
| FY2023 | $13.05 |
| FY2024 | $12.86 |
| FY2025 | $12.56 |
| FY2026 | $12.39 |
Look up a Bellingham property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-657-2862
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Bellingham
What we check on a Bellingham purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, charles river flood zones.
Check the flood zone first
The Charles River runs along Bellingham's southern boundary, and several former industrial ponds add wetland acreage in town, putting low-lying parcels near these waterways in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for BellinghamSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Bellingham Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-966-1112 to schedule.
Bellingham 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. Bellingham's Fire Department, at 28 Blackstone Street, publishes smoke and CO requirements for home sales on its website.
Bellingham Fire DepartmentCheck FEMA flood maps near the Charles River
Parts of Bellingham along the Charles River, which forms the town's southern boundary, fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer near the river.
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 Bellingham?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Bellingham address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Bellingham: utilities, trash and municipal center
Who to call in Bellingham.
- WaterTown of Bellingham Water Division
- Sewer or septicTown of Bellingham Sewer Division; some wastewater is treated through an agreement with the Woonsocket Wastewater Facility
- Trash and recyclingBellingham contracts with E.L. Harvey and Sons for curbside collection: households get a 65-gallon trash toter (green lid) and a 95-gallon recycling toter (yellow lid), billed quarterly. Residents can also buy town waste bags (45 gallons, $20 per roll of 5) for excess trash, up to six per week, and bring extra recyclables and bulky items to the town's Recycling Center at 119 South Maple Street with proof of residency.
- 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
Recycling Center
119 South Maple Street, Bellingham, MA
Transfer station detailsMunicipal Center offices and contacts
Bellingham Municipal Center is at 10 Mechanic Street, Bellingham, MA 02019. Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4:30pm, Friday 8:30am-1pm.
- Municipal CenterMain line and website
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.508-657-2830
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.508-657-2862
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.508-657-2848
- Inspectional ServicesBuilding permits and inspections.508-966-5821
- Planning & Zoning DepartmentZoning, land use, and planning applications.508-657-2892
- Parks CommissionTown parks and recreation areas.508-883-1606
- Department of Public WorksRoads, highway, water, and sewer infrastructure.508-966-5816
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic permits and inspections, and other health matters.508-966-5820
- Fire DepartmentFire suppression, emergency response, and smoke/CO alarm inspections for home sales.508-966-1112
- Bellingham Public LibraryThe town's public library.508-966-1660
Bellingham, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Bellingham, MA?
Bellingham's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.39 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $19.45. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Bellingham?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,956 a year at $12.39 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Bellingham have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $12.39 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $19.45.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Bellingham?
The average single-family tax bill in Bellingham was $6,073 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $490,174.
Is trash pickup curbside or pay-as-you-throw in Bellingham?
Curbside. E.L. Harvey and Sons collects a town-issued 65-gallon trash toter and 95-gallon recycling toter on a quarterly billed basis; extra trash needs a purchased town waste bag.
What ZIP code does Bellingham use?
Bellingham uses ZIP code 02019.
Is there a train station in Bellingham?
No. Bellingham has no MBTA station of its own; the nearest commuter rail is the Franklin/Foxboro Line at Franklin station.
How far is Bellingham from Boston and Providence?
Bellingham is about 30 miles southwest of Boston and about 20 miles north of Providence, Rhode Island.
What is the smoke/CO certificate process for selling a home in Bellingham?
The Bellingham Fire Department, at 28 Blackstone Street, inspects and certifies smoke and carbon monoxide alarms before a sale can close.
Where is Bellingham's recycling center?
At 119 South Maple Street, for residents to drop off extra recyclables and bulky items with proof of residency.
Towns near Bellingham
Neighbors of Bellingham, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Bellingham, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Bellingham official website: bellinghamma.org
- Trash Division - Town of Bellingham: bellinghamma.org
- Fire Department - Town of Bellingham: bellinghamma.org
- Board of Health - Town of Bellingham: bellinghamma.org
- Department directory - Town of Bellingham: bellinghamma.org
- Library - Town of Bellingham: bellinghamma.org
- Bellingham Town Hall 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.