Boxford Village (East Boxford)
7A Spofford Road, Boxford, MA 01921
Living in Boxford, Massachusetts
Boxford is a heavily forested town in Essex County, about 24 miles north of Boston, settled in 1645 as part of Rowley Village and incorporated on its own in 1685. The town is split into two village centers, Boxford Village (also called East Boxford) and West Boxford Village, and its highest point, Bald Hill, rises 243 feet. Numerous streams cross the town on their way to the Ipswich River, and several ponds, including Stiles, Cedar, Spofford, Lowe, Four Mile, and Baldpate, are scattered through its woodland.
Boxford at a glance
- $13.54Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $13,673Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Haverhill
- EssexCounty
Boxford's villages and zip codes
Boxford Village uses ZIP code 01921; West Boxford Village uses 01885.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Boxford Village (East Boxford) | 01921 | The town's main village center, where Town Hall is located. |
| West Boxford Village | 01885 | A smaller village center on the western side of town. |
Things to do in Boxford, MA
Start with Boxford State Forest and Witch Hollow Farm (Tyler-Wood House), then 2 more below.
Boxford State Forest
A forested state property spanning Boxford and neighboring towns, with trails through wooded, pond-dotted terrain.
Boxford, MA
Witch Hollow Farm (Tyler-Wood House)
A historic farmhouse dating to around 1727, known regionally for its haunted-house programming.
Boxford, MA
Holyoke-French House
A historic house dating to around 1760, one of the town's older surviving buildings.
Boxford, MA
Boxford Commons
A town sports and recreation facility used for youth and adult athletics.
Boxford, MA
More worth a visit
- Boxford Apple FestivalAn annual fall festival held in town.
Around the calendar
- OctoberApple FestivalAn annual town festival held in the fall.
A little history
Europeans first settled the area in 1645 as part of Rowley Village; Boxford incorporated as its own town in 1685.
A match factory operated in Boxford from just after the Civil War's end until 1905.
Boxford established a sister-city relationship with Boxford, Suffolk, England, in 1975-1976.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Boxford
Boxford's outdoor recreation is built around its forested state land and a cluster of ponds, including a residents-only beach at Stiles Pond.
- Boxford State ForestWooded trails across a large multi-town state forest property.
- Stiles PondA pond with a residents-only beach.
- Baldpate Pond recreation areaA pond-side recreation area in town.
Walkability and getting around Boxford
Boxford's two village centers, East Boxford and West Boxford, are small and largely residential; most of the town, which is heavily wooded and low-density, is built around driving.
Drive times
- Haverhill, about 8 miles15-20 min
- Logan International Airport, about 28 miles40-50 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Boxford has no municipal mass transit and no MBTA Commuter Rail station of its own; commuter rail lines pass through neighboring towns. The nearest general-aviation airport is Lawrence Municipal Airport in North Andover, and the nearest major airport is Logan International in Boston.
Boxford property taxes
Boxford's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.54 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,354 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $13,673, on an average assessed value of $1,009,798.
Boxford's FY2026 tax rates
$13.54per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.54 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,009,798
- Average single-family tax bill$13,673
- 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 | $15.22 |
| FY2023 | $13.84 |
| FY2024 | $13.05 |
| FY2025 | $13.45 |
| FY2026 | $13.54 |
Look up a Boxford property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-887-6000
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Boxford
What we check on a Boxford purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, private septic and wells.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Essex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Streams throughout Boxford drain toward the Ipswich River, and low-lying land near the town's ponds and streams falls within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for BoxfordSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Boxford Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-887-6000 to schedule.
Boxford 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.
Much of Boxford relies on private wells and septic systems
Boxford is a low-density, heavily wooded town where many properties rely on private wells and septic systems rather than town water and sewer. Buyers should budget for a Title 5 septic inspection and a well water test as part of due diligence.
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 Boxford?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Boxford address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Boxford: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Boxford: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Sewer or septicMost of Boxford relies on private septic systems rather than town sewer.
- Trash and recyclingBoxford's Public Works Department administers trash and recycling, including an annual permit renewal.
- 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
Boxford Town Hall is at 7A Spofford Road, Boxford, MA 01921. Main line: 978-887-6000.
- Town HallMain line and website978-887-6000
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.978-887-6000
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.978-887-6000
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-887-6000
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.978-887-6000
- Planning BoardZoning, land use, and planning applications.978-887-6000
- Parks & RecreationTown parks and recreation programs.978-887-6000
- Department of Public WorksRoads and trash/recycling administration.978-887-6000
- Boxford Town LibraryThe town's public library.
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, wells and permits978-887-6000
Boxford, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Boxford, MA?
Boxford's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.54 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 Boxford?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,416 a year at $13.54 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Boxford have a split tax rate?
No. Boxford uses a single rate of $13.54 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Boxford?
The average single-family tax bill in Boxford was $13,673 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,009,798.
What ZIP codes does Boxford use?
Boxford Village uses 01921 and West Boxford Village uses 01885.
Who supplies electricity in Boxford?
National Grid provides electric service in Boxford.
Is there public transit in Boxford?
Boxford has no municipal mass transit and no MBTA Commuter Rail station of its own.
How far is Boxford from Boston?
Boxford is about 24 miles north of Boston.
Towns near Boxford
Neighbors of Boxford, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Boxford, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Boxford official website: boxfordma.gov
- 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.
- Checked September 25, 2026.