First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Franklin County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Bernardston, Massachusetts
Bernardston is a town in Franklin County on the Vermont line, in the Pioneer Valley. It sits along the Fall River, a tributary of the Connecticut River, with Wildcat, West and Bald mountains rising within town, and Interstate 91 and U.S. Route 5 running through it. The town was settled as "Falls Fight Township" for families of soldiers from the 1676 Battle of Turners Falls and incorporated in 1762, taking its present name from colonial governor Francis Bernard.
Bernardston at a glance
- $15.20Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,019Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 10-15 minDrive to Greenfield
- FranklinCounty
Bernardston's zip code
Bernardston uses a single ZIP code, 01337, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Bernardston center | 01337 | Along Church Street and Route 5/10, where Town Hall, the library and the historical society are located. |
Things to do in Bernardston, MA
Start with Powers Institute and Bernardston Congregational Unitarian Church.
Powers Institute
A 19th-century academy building in the town center, now home to the Bernardston Historical Society. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Church Street, Bernardston, MA
Bernardston Congregational Unitarian Church
A historic church building in the town center, also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Church Street, Bernardston, MA
A little history
The area was granted as "Falls Fight Township" to descendants of soldiers from the 1676 Battle of Turners Falls during King Philip's War; John Burke, Samuel Connable, Lieut. Ebenezer Sheldon and Deacon Sheldon built the first four homes in 1738.
The town was incorporated in 1762 and named for Sir Francis Bernard, then the royal governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Bernardston
Wildcat, West and Bald mountains and the Fall River give Bernardston hills and water for hiking and paddling close to the Vermont line.
- Fall RiverA Connecticut River tributary running through town, used for paddling and fishing.
Walkability and getting around Bernardston
Bernardston's small town center has some sidewalks near Town Hall and the historic district, but the town is spread across a rural, hilly area along I-91 and Route 5, and a car is needed for most trips.
Drive times
- Greenfield, about 7 miles10-15 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 55 miles60-70 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Bernardston has no fixed-route public transit or train station of its own; the nearest Amtrak service is at the Greenfield station, about 10-15 minutes away.
Bernardston property taxes
Bernardston's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,520 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,019, on an average assessed value of $330,181.
Bernardston's FY2026 tax rates
$15.20per $1,000, residential
- Residential$15.20 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$330,181
- Average single-family tax bill$5,019
- 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 | $17.20 |
| FY2023 | $15.99 |
| FY2024 | $16.34 |
| FY2025 | $14.27 |
| FY2026 | $15.20 |
Look up a Bernardston property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Bernardston
What we check on a Bernardston purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, rural utilities.
Check the flood zone first
The Fall River runs through Bernardston, and low-lying parcels along it and its tributaries fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for BernardstonSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Bernardston Fire Department before the sale closes.
Confirm well, septic and gas service
Bernardston is a rural Franklin County town; buyers should confirm whether a specific property relies on a private well and septic system, and whether natural gas service reaches it, 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 Bernardston?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Bernardston address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Bernardston: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Bernardston: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- 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
Bernardston, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Bernardston, MA?
Bernardston's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.20 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 Bernardston?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,080 a year at $15.20 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Bernardston have a split tax rate?
No. Bernardston uses a single rate of $15.20 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Bernardston?
The average single-family tax bill in Bernardston was $5,019 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $330,181.
What county is Bernardston, MA in?
Bernardston is in Franklin County.
What ZIP code does Bernardston use?
Bernardston uses a single ZIP code, 01337, for the whole town.
How far is Bernardston from Greenfield?
Bernardston is about 7 miles from Greenfield, roughly a 10-15 minute drive.
Is there a train station in Bernardston?
No. The nearest Amtrak station is in Greenfield.
Which towns border Bernardston?
Bernardston borders Northfield, Gill, Greenfield and Leyden in Massachusetts, and Guilford and Vernon, Vermont.
Towns near Bernardston
Neighbors of Bernardston, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Bernardston, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Powers Institute 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: ToddC4176, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.