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Historic Charlton Common in Charlton, Massachusetts.

Living in Charlton, Massachusetts

Charlton is a town in southern Worcester County, first settled in 1735 and set off from Oxford as a district in 1755 before its 1775 incorporation. The Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and Routes 20, 169 and 31 cross the town, and its 42.5 square miles include the villages of Charlton City and Charlton Depot along with the town center. Buffumville Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir, sits on the town's eastern side.

Charlton centerCharlton CityCharlton Depot

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated

Photo: Marc N. Belanger (Marcbela), Public domain

Charlton at a glance

Charlton's villages and zip codes

Charlton uses three ZIP codes across its village sections: 01507 (Charlton), 01508 (Charlton City) and 01509 (Charlton Depot).

Charlton villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Charlton center01507Along Main Street, where Town Hall and municipal offices are located.
Charlton City01508A village section of town with its own ZIP code, historically tied to local mill industry.
Charlton Depot01509A village section of town with its own ZIP code, named for a former rail depot.

Things to do in Charlton, MA

Start with Buffumville Lake and Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary, then 2 more below.

  1. Buffumville Lake

    A 200-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir built in 1958, with a swimming beach, seven miles of multi-use trails, group picnic shelters, and a disc golf course. Fishing, hunting, canoeing, kayaking and boat-in camping are permitted.

    FreeYear-round

    48 Old Oxford Road, Charlton, MA

    Plan a visit

  2. Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary

    A nature sanctuary with walking trails in Charlton.

    FreeYear-round

    Charlton, MA

  3. Tree House Brewing Company

    A brewery location in Charlton on Sturbridge Road, part of the Tree House Brewing Company chain.

    Year-round

    129 Sturbridge Road, Charlton, MA 01507

    Plan a visit

  4. Charlton Center Historic District

    A historic district around Charlton Common with municipal and religious buildings reflecting the town's early development.

    FreeYear-round

    Charlton center, Charlton, MA

More worth a visit

  • Charlton Arts and Activities CenterA local venue for arts and community activities.

A little history

Charlton was first settled in 1735 and was set off from Oxford as a district on January 10, 1755, taking its name from Sir Francis Charlton, 4th Baronet.

The town was incorporated in 1775.

William T. G. Morton, credited with the first public demonstration of ether as a surgical anaesthetic, had a residence in Charlton, and frontiersman John "Grizzly" Adams is buried in town.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Charlton

Charlton's outdoor recreation centers on Buffumville Lake, an Army Corps of Engineers reservoir with a beach and trail network, and the Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary.

  • Buffumville LakeSwimming beach, seven miles of multi-use trails, picnic shelters, and boating/fishing access on a 200-acre flood-control reservoir.More information
  • Capen Hill Nature SanctuaryA nature sanctuary with walking trails.

Where to eat in Charlton: restaurants and coffee

2 places in Charlton to try, including brewery and pizza and seafood restaurant. No one paid to be listed.

Walkability and getting around Charlton

Charlton center has sidewalks around Town Hall and Charlton Common, but the town overall, crossed by the Massachusetts Turnpike and several state routes, is built around driving between its village sections.

Check any Charlton address

Drive times

  • Worcester, about 18 miles25-30 min
  • Worcester Regional Airport, about 20 miles25-30 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

Charlton has no fixed-route public bus or rail service identified in town or Wikipedia sources; the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) serves nearby Worcester-area communities.

Charlton property taxes

Charlton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.94 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,094 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,345, on an average assessed value of $488,575.

Charlton's FY2026 tax rates

$10.94per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$10.94 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$488,575
  • Average single-family tax bill$5,345
  • 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.

Charlton property tax calculator

$
Assessed value (100%)
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Taxes a year
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About this much a month
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Estimate at the FY2026 residential rate; the assessor's value sets the bill.

Add it to a full payment estimate

How the residential rate has changed

Fiscal yearResidential rate
FY2022$13.29
FY2023$12.17
FY2024$11.34
FY2025$11.13
FY2026$10.94

Look up a Charlton property

Buying a home in Charlton

What we check on a Charlton purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic & wells, trash by permit.

MassHousing

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 loans
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

Buffumville Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir on the east side of town, and its surrounding brooks put nearby low-lying parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Charlton
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Charlton Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-248-2299 to schedule.

Charlton Fire Department page
Septic & wells

Board of Health enforces Title 5 septic and well permits

Charlton's Board of Health enforces Title 5 septic system regulations and issues permits for private drinking-water wells, since the town does not have universal sewer and water coverage. Buyers should confirm septic and well status before making an offer.

Charlton Board of Health
Trash by permit

No town trash pickup; permit needed for the transfer station

Charlton does not run curbside trash collection or its own transfer station. Residents use private haulers or buy a permit to use the Spencer Transfer Station under an inter-town agreement, along with Spencer's Pay-As-You-Throw bags.

Residential Refuse Drop-Off

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.

James Allen

Thinking about buying in Charlton?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Charlton address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Call (860) 398-5268 Text us Email the team

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Charlton: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Charlton: National Grid for power.

Spencer Transfer Station (by agreement with Charlton)

17 S. Spencer Rd, Spencer, MA Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM

$10 day pass or $75 per year

Transfer station details

Town Hall offices and contacts

Charlton Town Hall is at 37 Main Street, Charlton, MA 01507. Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 7:30 AM-5 PM; Tue 7:30 AM-7 PM; Fri closed. Main line: 508-248-2200.

Charlton, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Charlton, MA?

Charlton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.94 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 Charlton?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,376 a year at $10.94 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Charlton have a split tax rate?

No. Charlton uses a single rate of $10.94 per $1,000 for all property classes.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Charlton?

The average single-family tax bill in Charlton was $5,345 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $488,575.

What ZIP codes does Charlton use?

Charlton has three ZIP codes for its village sections: 01507 (Charlton), 01508 (Charlton City) and 01509 (Charlton Depot).

Is trash pickup curbside in Charlton?

No. Charlton has no curbside collection or its own transfer station. Residents use private haulers or a permit-based arrangement with the Spencer Transfer Station.

Who supplies electricity in Charlton?

National Grid provides electric service in Charlton.

Is there public transit in Charlton?

No fixed-route bus or rail service was found for Charlton; the Worcester Regional Transit Authority serves nearby Worcester-area communities.

Which towns border Charlton?

Charlton borders Sturbridge, East Brookfield, Spencer, Leicester, Oxford, Dudley and Southbridge.

What recreation is available at Buffumville Lake?

Buffumville Lake, a 200-acre Army Corps of Engineers reservoir in Charlton, offers a swimming beach, seven miles of multi-use trails, picnic shelters, a disc golf course, and fishing, hunting, canoeing and kayaking access.

Towns near Charlton

Neighbors of Charlton, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources