First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Bristol County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Berkley, Massachusetts
Berkley is a small town in Bristol County on the eastern shore of the Taunton River, across from Dighton. First settled in 1638 and incorporated in 1735, it was named for philosopher George Berkeley, though a clerk's error changed the spelling from 'Berkeley' to 'Berkley.' The town includes Dighton Rock State Park, home to a boulder with carvings of uncertain age that once sat in the Taunton River just offshore.
Berkley at a glance
- $12.35Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,985Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 10-15 minDrive to Taunton
- BristolCounty
Berkley's zip code
Berkley uses a single ZIP code, 02779, for the entire town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Berkley center | 02779 | Around Town Hall on North Main Street. |
Things to do in Berkley, MA
Start with Dighton Rock State Park and Berkley Congregational Church, then 2 more below.
Dighton Rock State Park
A state park on the Taunton River housing Dighton Rock, a 40-ton boulder with carvings of uncertain age and authorship, displayed in a small on-site museum.
Berkley, MA
Berkley Congregational Church
A historic church in Berkley, established in 1737, not long after the town's incorporation.
Berkley, MA
Bridge Village Heritage Park
A small heritage park in Berkley marking part of the town's history.
Berkley, MA
Berkley-Dighton Bridge
The bridge connecting Berkley and Dighton across the Taunton River, completed in 2015.
Route 138, Berkley, MA
A little history
Berkley was first settled in 1638 and incorporated as its own town in 1735, named for philosopher George Berkeley (Bishop of Cloyne); a clerk's error changed the spelling to 'Berkley.'
Dighton Rock, a boulder bearing carvings of uncertain age and origin, sat in the Taunton River off what is now Berkley for centuries before being moved into a museum within Dighton Rock State Park.
The Berkley Congregational Church was established in 1737, shortly after the town's incorporation.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Berkley
Berkley's western edge runs along the Taunton River, with Assonet Bay and the Assonet River to the south and Bryant Hill, the town's highest point at about 167 feet, inland.
- Taunton RiverThe river forming Berkley's western border with Dighton, and the site of Dighton Rock State Park.
- Assonet Bay and Assonet RiverWater features along Berkley's southern edge toward Freetown.
- Bryant HillThe town's highest point, at about 167 feet.
Where to eat in Berkley: restaurants and coffee
2 places in Berkley to try, including restaurant and italian restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
The Boondocks Restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant on North Main Street in Berkley, serving the area since 2014.
18 North Main Street, Berkley, MA 02779 · berkleyboondocks.com
Amato's
Italian restaurant
An Italian restaurant location on Myricks Street serving pasta dishes.
145 Myricks Street, Berkley, MA 02779 · amatos.com/location/amatos-berkley-ma
Walkability and getting around Berkley
Berkley center has sidewalks near Town Hall on North Main Street, but the town is otherwise low-density and rural, with Route 24 and Route 79 as its main travel corridors, so a car is needed for most trips.
Drive times
- Taunton, about 6 miles10-15 min
- T.F. Green International Airport, about 25 miles35-40 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Berkley is served by GATRA (Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority) bus routes. The nearest MBTA commuter rail stations are East Taunton and Freetown, both of which opened in March 2025 on the Fall River/New Bedford Line as part of the South Coast Rail project.
Berkley property taxes
Berkley's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.35 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,235 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,985, on an average assessed value of $565,579.
Berkley's FY2026 tax rates
$12.35per $1,000, residential
- Residential$12.35 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$565,579
- Average single-family tax bill$6,985
- 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 | $13.75 |
| FY2023 | $13.22 |
| FY2024 | $12.45 |
| FY2025 | $12.01 |
| FY2026 | $12.35 |
Look up a Berkley property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Berkley
What we check on a Berkley purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, well & septic, river flood zones, smoke/co certificate.
Check the flood zone first
The Taunton River along Berkley's western border and Assonet Bay to the south put some low-lying parcels within FEMA flood zones; check the flood map for any specific property near water. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for BerkleySmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Berkley Fire / Rescue Department before the sale closes. Call 508-822-7516 to schedule.
Berkley Fire / Rescue Department pageMost homes use private wells and septic systems
Berkley has no confirmed town-wide public water or sewer system; most properties rely on private wells and septic systems. A Title 5 septic inspection is required before a home with a septic system is sold.
Check flood zones near the Taunton River
Berkley's western border along the Taunton River and Assonet Bay to the south put some parcels in FEMA flood zones. Ask about flood zone status and flood insurance for any waterfront property.
Fire department inspection required before closing
Massachusetts law requires a smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspection and certificate from the local fire department before a home sale closes.
Fire / Rescue DepartmentAll 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 Berkley?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Berkley address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Berkley: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Berkley: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Natural gasNo confirmed natural gas service found
- WaterMostly private wells
- Sewer or septicMostly private septic systems; no confirmed town-wide sewer service found
- 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
Berkley Transfer Station
3 North Main Street, Berkley, MA 02779
Town Hall offices and contacts
Berkley Town Hall is at 1 North Main Street, Berkley, MA 02779. Main line: 508-822-5066.
- Town HallMain line and website508-822-5066
- Fire / Rescue DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO detector inspections for home sales.508-822-7516
- Berkley Community School / Berkley Middle SchoolThe town's elementary and middle schools.
- Somerset Berkley Regional High SchoolThe regional high school serving Berkley and Somerset.
Berkley, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Berkley, MA?
Berkley's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.35 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 Berkley?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,940 a year at $12.35 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Berkley have a split tax rate?
No. Berkley uses a single rate of $12.35 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Berkley?
The average single-family tax bill in Berkley was $6,985 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $565,579.
What county is Berkley, MA in?
Berkley is in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP code does Berkley use?
Berkley uses a single ZIP code, 02779, for the entire town.
Who supplies electricity in Berkley?
National Grid is the electric utility serving Berkley.
How far is Berkley from Taunton?
Berkley is about 6 miles from Taunton, roughly a 10-15 minute drive.
Is there train service near Berkley?
The nearest MBTA commuter rail stations are East Taunton and Freetown, both of which opened in March 2025 as part of the South Coast Rail project.
Towns near Berkley
Neighbors of Berkley, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Berkley, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Berkley, MA official website: townofberkleyma.gov
- Berkley, MA Fire Department - official website: berkleyfire.org
- The Boondocks Restaurant - official website: berkleyboondocks.com
- Amato's - Berkley, MA location: amatos.com
- East Taunton station - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Freetown station - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- South Coast Rail - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Berkley 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: Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.