Canton center
801 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021
Living in Canton, Massachusetts
Canton is a town in Norfolk County about 15 miles southwest of downtown Boston, settled in 1630 and incorporated in 1797. It sits at the foot of the Blue Hills, with the Neponset River forming its western boundary, and Paul Revere built the nation's first copper rolling mill here in 1801.
Canton at a glance
- $9.75Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $8,468Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 25-35 minDrive to Boston
- NorfolkCounty
Canton's villages and zip codes
Canton uses ZIP code 02021.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Canton center | 02021 | Around Washington Street and Town Hall, including the Canton Corner Historic District. |
| Ponkapoag | 02021 | A section of Canton near Ponkapoag Pond and the Blue Hills Reservation, and the site of a 17th-century Praying Town established in 1657. |
Things to do in Canton, MA
Start with Canton Viaduct and Museum of American Bird Art at Mass Audubon, then 3 more below.
Canton Viaduct
An 1835 stone railroad viaduct still carrying active mainline trains, among the two oldest multiple-arch stone railroad bridges in active use in the country.
Neponset Street, Canton, MA
Museum of American Bird Art at Mass Audubon
A Massachusetts Audubon Society gallery and trail property focused on birds in American art, with walking trails on the grounds.
963 Washington Street, Canton, MA
Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate
A Trustees of Reservations property with a Colonial Revival mansion, gardens, and trails through fields and woods.
2468 Washington Street, Canton, MA
Paul Revere Heritage Site
The site of Paul Revere's copper rolling mill, built in 1801 and described as the nation's first, with interpretive signage on the Neponset River.
1315 Washington Street, Canton, MA
Canton Corner Historic District
A National Register historic district around Pleasant and Washington Streets with more than 25 properties spanning Georgian to Craftsman architecture over 250 years.
Pleasant Street and Washington Street, Canton, MA
A little history
Canton was incorporated on February 23, 1797, and takes its name from Guangzhou (then romanized as Canton), China, reportedly chosen on a mistaken belief that the two places were antipodal points on the globe.
Ponkapoag, established in 1657 within what is now Canton, was the second Praying Town founded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Paul Revere built a copper rolling mill in Canton in 1801, described as the first of its kind in the country, on the Neponset River.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Canton
Canton's outdoor recreation centers on the Neponset River, the Blue Hills Reservation, and several Trustees of Reservations properties.
- Eleanor Cabot Bradley EstateTrails through fields, gardens, and woods on a Trustees of Reservations property.
- Ponkapoag Pond areaTrails and pond access adjoining the Blue Hills Reservation.
- Museum of American Bird Art groundsWalking trails on a Mass Audubon property along the Neponset River.
Where to eat in Canton: restaurants and coffee
1 places in Canton to try, including mixed dining. No one paid to be listed.
Canton center restaurants
Mixed dining
Washington Street through Canton center has a cluster of independent restaurants near Town Hall and the historic district.
Washington Street, Canton, MA
Walkability and getting around Canton
Canton center around Washington Street has sidewalks connecting Town Hall, the library, and the historic district, but most of the town's neighborhoods and the routes between them are built around driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 15 miles25-35 min
- Logan International Airport, about 20 miles30-40 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The MBTA Providence/Stoughton Line and the Attleboro/Stoughton service on the Northeast Corridor both call at Canton Junction station, where the Stoughton Branch splits off; Canton Center station, on the Stoughton Branch, is closer to the town center.
Canton property taxes
Canton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $9.75 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $19.67. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $975 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $8,468, on an average assessed value of $868,560.
Canton's FY2026 tax rates
$9.75per $1,000, residential
- Residential$9.75 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$19.67 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$868,560
- Average single-family tax bill$8,468
- 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 | $11.35 |
| FY2023 | $10.57 |
| FY2024 | $9.97 |
| FY2025 | $9.89 |
| FY2026 | $9.75 |
Look up a Canton property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 781-821-5008
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Canton
What we check on a Canton purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, river and pond flood zones.
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 loansCheck the flood zone first
The Neponset River forms Canton's western boundary and Ponkapoag Pond and Bolivar and Forge 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 CantonSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Canton Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 781-575-6654 to schedule.
Canton Fire Department pageCanton requires a smoke and CO alarm inspection before closing
Sellers need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the Canton Fire Department before a home sale can close; detectors must be less than 10 years old and properly placed on every level, and a failed first inspection carries a $15 re-inspection fee.
Canton Fire Department smoke detector inspectionsCheck FEMA flood maps near the Neponset River and area ponds
Parts of Canton along the Neponset River and near Ponkapoag Pond and other water bodies fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer near any of these areas.
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 Canton?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Canton address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Canton: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Canton: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- WaterTown of Canton Water & Sewer Division, serving about 7,300 customers through roughly 128 miles of water main
- Sewer or septicTown of Canton Water & Sewer Division
- Trash and recyclingCanton uses curbside collection through Republic Services: trash carts are collected weekly and recycling carts every other week on the same collection day. Additional carts cost $65 (trash) or $75 (recycling), and overflow trash, recycling, and electronics can be brought to the Pine Street Transfer Station & Yard Waste Facility 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
Pine Street Transfer Station & Yard Waste Facility
99 Pine Street, Canton, MA
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Canton Town Hall is at 801 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021. Main line: 781-821-5000.
- Town HallMain line and website781-821-5000
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.781-821-5013
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.781-821-5008
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.781-821-5006
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.781-821-5003
- Planning BoardZoning, land use, and planning applications.781-821-5019
- Parks & RecreationTown parks, recreation programs, and facility reservations.781-821-5030
- Department of Public WorksRoads, water, sewer, and trash and recycling.781-821-5023
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic permits and inspections, and other health matters.781-821-5021
- Fire DepartmentFire suppression, emergency response, and residential smoke/CO alarm inspections for home sales.781-575-6654
- Canton Public LibraryThe town's public library.781-821-5000
Canton, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Canton, MA?
Canton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $9.75 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $19.67. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Canton?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $3,900 a year at $9.75 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Canton have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $9.75 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $19.67.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Canton?
The average single-family tax bill in Canton was $8,468 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $868,560.
Is trash pickup curbside or pay-as-you-throw in Canton?
Curbside. Canton contracts with Republic Services for weekly trash and biweekly recycling collection; it is not a pay-as-you-throw program, and extra carts cost $65 (trash) or $75 (recycling).
Who supplies electricity in Canton?
Eversource delivers electricity in Canton and handles outages and billing; the town also runs a Canton Electricity Choice community aggregation program for supply pricing.
What ZIP code does Canton use?
Canton uses ZIP code 02021.
Is there train service in Canton?
Yes. Canton Junction station serves the MBTA Providence/Stoughton Line and Northeast Corridor Attleboro/Stoughton service, and Canton Center station is on the Stoughton Branch closer to the town center.
How far is Canton from Boston?
Canton is about 15 miles southwest of downtown Boston.
What is the smoke/CO certificate process for selling a home in Canton?
The Canton Fire Department inspects smoke and carbon monoxide alarms before a sale can close; detectors must be less than 10 years old and properly placed, and a failed first inspection has a $15 re-inspection fee.
Towns near Canton
Neighbors of Canton, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Canton, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Canton Corner Historic District - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Canton Junction station - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Canton official website: town.canton.ma.us
- Department Directory - Town of Canton: town.canton.ma.us
- Recycling & Solid Waste - Town of Canton: town.canton.ma.us
- Yard Waste & Transfer Station - Town of Canton: town.canton.ma.us
- Residential Smoke Detector Inspections - Town of Canton: town.canton.ma.us
- Water & Sewer Division - Town of Canton: town.canton.ma.us
- Canton Electricity Choice - Town of Canton: town.canton.ma.us
- Library - Town of Canton: town.canton.ma.us
- Canton 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.