Chelmsford center
50 Billerica Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Living in Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Chelmsford is a town in Middlesex County, about 25 miles northwest of Boston and adjoining Lowell. It was settled in 1652 by colonists from Woburn and Concord and incorporated in May 1655. The town sits at the intersection of Interstate 495 and U.S. Route 3, and is bordered by the Merrimack River to the northeast and the Concord River at its easternmost edge.
Chelmsford at a glance
- $13.27Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $9,219Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 10-15 minDrive to Lowell
- MiddlesexCounty
Chelmsford's villages and zip codes
Chelmsford center uses 01824, and North Chelmsford has its own ZIP code, 01863.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Chelmsford center | 01824 | The town's historic center, including the Chelmsford Center Historic District along Billerica Road, where Town Offices are located. |
| North Chelmsford | 01863 | A village section in the northern part of town with its own ZIP code. |
| South Chelmsford, West Chelmsford and East Chelmsford | Additional named sections of town, along with an area known as the Westlands. |
Things to do in Chelmsford, MA
Start with Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and Barrett-Byam Homestead, then 3 more below.
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail
A paved rail trail running 6.8 miles through Chelmsford, including the Central Square area, used for walking and biking.
Central Square, Chelmsford, MA
Barrett-Byam Homestead
A 1663 homestead that is home to the Chelmsford Historical Society, reflecting the town's colonial-era roots.
Chelmsford, MA
Old Chelmsford Garrison House
A 1691 garrison house now operated as a museum, tied to the town's early defensive history.
Chelmsford, MA
Fiske House
An 1798 house that is one of Chelmsford's preserved historic buildings.
Chelmsford, MA
First Parish Church
A historic church building in Chelmsford center, a visible landmark in the town's historic district.
Chelmsford, MA
More worth a visit
- Middlesex Canal remnantsSurviving sections of the early 19th-century Middlesex Canal, which once ran through town.
A little history
Chelmsford was settled in 1652 by colonists from Woburn and Concord and was incorporated by an act of the Massachusetts General Court in May 1655.
Chelmsford militia took part in the Battle of Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolution.
Ralph Waldo Emerson briefly opened a school in Chelmsford in 1825.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Chelmsford
The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is Chelmsford's main dedicated recreation corridor, and the Merrimack and Concord rivers border the town.
- Bruce Freeman Rail TrailA 6.8-mile paved trail through Chelmsford, including Central Square, for walking and biking.
Walkability and getting around Chelmsford
Chelmsford center has sidewalks around Town Offices, the historic district and nearby shops, and the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail adds a car-free route through Central Square, but most of the town, including the area around the I-495/Route 3 interchange, is built around driving.
Drive times
- Lowell, about 4 miles10-15 min
- Logan International Airport, about 30 miles40-50 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
LRTA bus routes 15, 16 and 17 connect Chelmsford to the MBTA Commuter Rail Lowell Line station in Lowell. Chelmsford has no commuter rail station of its own.
Chelmsford property taxes
Chelmsford's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.27 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $15.64. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,327 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $9,219, on an average assessed value of $694,695.
Chelmsford's FY2026 tax rates
$13.27per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.27 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$15.64 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$694,695
- Average single-family tax bill$9,219
- 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 | $15.77 |
| FY2023 | $14.37 |
| FY2024 | $13.62 |
| FY2025 | $13.90 |
| FY2026 | $13.27 |
Look up a Chelmsford property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-250-5220
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Chelmsford
What we check on a Chelmsford purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
The Merrimack River borders Chelmsford to the northeast and the Concord River runs along its eastern edge, putting nearby low-lying parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for ChelmsfordSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Chelmsford Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-250-5267 to schedule.
Chelmsford 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. Chelmsford's Fire Department handles the required inspection.
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 Chelmsford?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Chelmsford address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Chelmsford: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Chelmsford: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Trash and recyclingChelmsford's curbside trash and recycling is collected by E.L. Harvey & Sons using single-stream recycling; residents purchase their own trash and recycling carts. A curbside organic waste program is also available, along with one bulk item pickup per month per household and pink-bag textile recycling through Simple Recycling.
- 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
The Chelmsford transfer station
9 Alpha Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Town Offices offices and contacts
Chelmsford Town Offices is at 50 Billerica Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824. Hours: Mon 8:30am-4pm, Tue 8:30am-7pm, Wed-Thu 8:30am-4pm, Fri 8:30am-1pm. Main line: 978-250-5200.
- Town OfficesMain line and website978-250-5200
- Town ClerkVital records and elections.978-250-5205
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.978-250-5220
- Board of HealthSeptic and health-related permitting.978-250-5241
- Department of Public WorksTrash, recycling and street services.978-250-5228
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO alarm inspections.978-250-5267
Chelmsford, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Chelmsford, MA?
Chelmsford's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.27 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $15.64. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Chelmsford?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,308 a year at $13.27 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Chelmsford have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $13.27 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $15.64.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Chelmsford?
The average single-family tax bill in Chelmsford was $9,219 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $694,695.
Is trash pickup curbside or pay-as-you-throw in Chelmsford?
Chelmsford uses curbside collection through hauler E.L. Harvey & Sons, with residents purchasing their own trash and single-stream recycling carts. There is no pay-as-you-throw bag system described on the town's page.
Who supplies electricity in Chelmsford?
National Grid is Chelmsford's electric utility.
What ZIP codes does Chelmsford use?
Chelmsford center uses 01824, and North Chelmsford has its own ZIP code, 01863.
Is there public transit in Chelmsford?
LRTA bus routes 15, 16 and 17 connect Chelmsford to the MBTA Commuter Rail Lowell Line station in Lowell. Chelmsford has no train station of its own.
Where can I bike or walk on a dedicated trail in Chelmsford?
The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail runs 6.8 miles through Chelmsford, including the Central Square area.
Towns near Chelmsford
Neighbors of Chelmsford, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Chelmsford, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Chelmsford official website: chelmsfordma.gov
- Staff Directory - Chelmsford, MA: chelmsfordma.gov
- Recycling, Solid Waste & Sustainability - Chelmsford, MA: chelmsfordma.gov
- First Parish Church 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.