Bolton center
663 Main Street, Bolton, MA 01740
Living in Bolton, Massachusetts
Bolton is a town in Worcester County, about 25 miles west-northwest of downtown Boston along I-495. It was settled by English farmers in the 1600s and incorporated on June 24, 1738, taking its name from the Duke of Bolton. Wattaquadock Hill and Vaughn Hill's North Peak are the town's high points, and orchards and conservation land still cover much of its rural landscape.
Bolton at a glance
- $18.07Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $15,643Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 40-50 minDrive to Boston
- WorcesterCounty
Bolton's zip code
Bolton uses ZIP code 01740.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Bolton center | 01740 | The town's main village along Main Street, where Town Hall and the Bolton Public Library are located. |
Things to do in Bolton, MA
Start with Nashoba Valley Winery and The International Golf Club, then 2 more below.
Nashoba Valley Winery
A winery and orchard property with tastings, a restaurant, and pick-your-own fruit in season.
100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton, MA 01740
Plan a visitThe International Golf Club
A golf course that has hosted several major professional tournaments.
Bolton, MA
Bolton Flats Wildlife Management Area
A state-managed wetland and floodplain area near the Nashua and Still rivers, used for birdwatching, hunting and fishing.
Bolton, MA
Bolton orchards
Several working apple orchards around town open for pick-your-own visits in the fall.
Various locations, Bolton, MA
A little history
Bolton was settled by English farmers in the 1600s and incorporated as a town on June 24, 1738, taking its name from the Duke of Bolton.
During the American Revolution, Bolton residents erected a liberty pole at the town center, and General John Whitcomb of Bolton led minutemen at major Revolutionary War battles.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Bolton
Bolton's hills, orchards and the Bolton Flats wetlands along the Nashua River give the town its trails and open space.
- Bolton Flats Wildlife Management AreaState-managed wetlands and floodplain near the Nashua and Still rivers, used for birding, hunting and fishing.
- Wattaquadock HillOne of Bolton's high points, with conservation land and trails.
- Vaughn Hill / North Peak conservation landTrails over Bolton's other major hill, part of the town's conservation land network.
Walkability and getting around Bolton
Bolton center has sidewalks around Town Hall and the library, but most of the town, including its orchards and rural roads, is built for driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 25 miles40-50 min
- Fitchburg Municipal Airport, about 20 miles30-35 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Bolton has no fixed-route bus service and no passenger rail station; the nearest MBTA Commuter Rail service is on the Fitchburg Line in South Acton or Littleton. Bolton has no curbside trash collection; residents use the town transfer station.
Bolton property taxes
Bolton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $18.07 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,807 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $15,643, on an average assessed value of $865,689.
Bolton's FY2026 tax rates
$18.07per $1,000, residential
- Residential$18.07 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$865,689
- Average single-family tax bill$15,643
- 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 | $19.87 |
| FY2023 | $17.50 |
| FY2024 | $16.26 |
| FY2025 | $16.62 |
| FY2026 | $18.07 |
Look up a Bolton property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-779-5556
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Bolton
What we check on a Bolton purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, wells & septic, no curbside trash, smoke certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Worcester County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
The Nashua and Still rivers form the Bolton Flats floodplain in the northern part of town, putting low-lying parcels there in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for BoltonSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Bolton Fire Department before the sale closes.
Homes rely on private well and septic
Bolton has no townwide public water or sewer system, so most homes use private wells and septic systems. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before most home sales, arranged through the Board of Health.
Trash goes to the town transfer station
Bolton has no curbside trash pickup; residents haul their own trash and recycling to the town transfer station, which will require a residency sticker starting January 1, 2027.
Smoke and CO certificate needed before closing
Massachusetts sellers need a smoke and carbon monoxide detector certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. In Bolton, that inspection is scheduled through the Fire Department.
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 Bolton?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Bolton address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Bolton: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Bolton.
- WaterMostly private wells; there is no townwide public water system
- Sewer or septicMostly private septic systems; there is no townwide public sewer system
- Trash and recyclingBolton has no curbside trash collection; residents bring waste and recycling to the town transfer station, which requires a residency sticker.
- 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
Bolton Town Hall is at 663 Main Street, Bolton, MA 01740. Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9 AM-2:30 PM; Tuesday 9 AM-4 PM. Main line: 978-779-2297.
- Town HallMain line and website978-779-2297
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments.978-779-5556
- Tax Collector/TreasurerProperty tax billing and payment.978-779-6116
- Board of HealthSeptic (Title 5) and well permitting.978-779-3301
- Fire DepartmentFire, rescue and smoke/CO certificate inspections for home sales.978-779-2203
- Building InspectorBuilding permits and inspections; weekly office hours Tuesdays 5-6 PM.978-779-3312
- Planning BoardZoning, land use and planning applications.978-779-3308
- Parks & Recreation CommissionTown parks and recreation programs.978-598-5236
- Public Works/HighwayRoads, the transfer station and town infrastructure.978-779-6402
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and town meeting records.978-779-2771
- Bolton Public LibraryThe town's public library.978-779-2839
- Nashoba Regional School DistrictThe town's public school district, shared with Lancaster and Stow, including Florence Sawyer School and Nashoba Regional High School.
Bolton, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Bolton, MA?
Bolton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $18.07 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 Bolton?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $7,228 a year at $18.07 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Bolton have a split tax rate?
No. Bolton uses a single rate of $18.07 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Bolton?
The average single-family tax bill in Bolton was $15,643 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $865,689.
What county is Bolton, MA in?
Bolton is in Worcester County.
Is trash pickup curbside in Bolton?
No. Bolton has no curbside collection; residents bring trash and recycling to the town transfer station.
What ZIP code does Bolton use?
Bolton uses ZIP code 01740.
How far is Bolton from Boston?
Bolton is about 25 miles from Boston, roughly a 40-50 minute drive along I-495.
Which towns border Bolton?
Bolton borders Lancaster, Harvard, Boxborough, Stow, Clinton, Berlin and Hudson.
What school district serves Bolton?
Bolton is part of the Nashoba Regional School District, shared with Lancaster and Stow.
Towns near Bolton
Neighbors of Bolton, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Bolton, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Bolton, MA - official website: bolton-ma.gov
- Bolton, MA staff directory: bolton-ma.gov
- Nashoba Valley Winery: nashobawinery.com
- Nashoba Regional School District: nrsd.net
- Sawyer House 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.