Cheshire center
191 Church Street, Cheshire, MA 01225
Living in Cheshire, Massachusetts
Cheshire is a town in the Hoosic River valley in northern Berkshire County, Massachusetts, founded by Baptist settlers from Rhode Island in 1766 and incorporated in 1793. The town includes a dammed reservoir on the Hoosic River, Cheshire Reservoir, and the Appalachian Trail crosses through the center of town. Cheshire is best known historically for the 1,235-pound "Cheshire cheese" its residents made as a gift for President Thomas Jefferson in 1801.
Cheshire at a glance
- $10.58Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $3,586Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Pittsfield
- BerkshireCounty
Cheshire's zip code
Cheshire uses a single ZIP code, 01225, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Cheshire center | 01225 | Along Church Street, where the Town Offices, library and village center are located. |
Things to do in Cheshire, MA
Start with Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and Cheshire Reservoir, then 2 more below.
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
An 11-mile paved rail trail connecting Lanesborough, Cheshire and Adams along the Hoosic River and Cheshire Reservoir, used for walking and biking.
Cheshire, MA
Cheshire Reservoir
A dammed reservoir on the Hoosic River offering fishing and boating.
Cheshire, MA
Mount Greylock State Reservation
Massachusetts's highest peak, with hiking trails; the reservation covers sections of western Cheshire.
Cheshire, MA
Stafford Hill
A hilltop site in Cheshire with a monument, listed on the town's own website as a point of interest.
Stafford Hill, Cheshire, MA
More worth a visit
- South Branch of the Hoosic RiverA stretch of the Hoosic River in Cheshire known for fishing.
A little history
Cheshire was founded by Baptist settlers from Rhode Island in 1766 and incorporated as a town in 1793.
In 1801, Cheshire residents made a massive cheese, 4 feet in diameter, 18 inches thick and weighing 1,235 pounds, as a gift for President Thomas Jefferson.
The town's early economy included forges, saw mills, grist mills, tanneries and, from 1812, a glass company.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Cheshire
Cheshire sits in the Hoosic River valley between Mount Greylock and the Appalachian Trail, with the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and Cheshire Reservoir providing flat, water-adjacent recreation.
- Ashuwillticook Rail TrailPaved rail trail linking Lanesborough, Cheshire and Adams.
- Cheshire ReservoirReservoir on the Hoosic River for fishing and boating.
- Mount Greylock State ReservationTrails on and around Massachusetts's highest peak.
- Appalachian TrailCrosses through the center of Cheshire.
Walkability and getting around Cheshire
Cheshire's small village center along Church Street has limited sidewalks, and the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail offers a car-free route to Lanesborough and Adams, but most of the town is built for driving.
Drive times
- Pittsfield, about 10.5 miles15-20 min
- Albany International Airport, about 50 miles60-65 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
BRTA bus routes serve the Route 8 corridor between Pittsfield and North Adams, which passes through Cheshire. The town has no train station.
Cheshire property taxes
Cheshire's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.58 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,058 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $3,586, on an average assessed value of $338,951.
Cheshire's FY2026 tax rates
$10.58per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.58 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$338,951
- Average single-family tax bill$3,586
- 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 | $12.76 |
| FY2023 | $11.97 |
| FY2024 | $11.57 |
| FY2025 | $11.13 |
| FY2026 | $10.58 |
Look up a Cheshire property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-743-3929 ext. 103
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Cheshire
What we check on a Cheshire purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, transfer station, not curbside, title 5 septic, reservoir flood zone.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Berkshire County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Cheshire is in the Hoosic River valley and includes Cheshire Reservoir, a dammed section of the river, so low-lying parcels near the river and reservoir can fall within FEMA flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for CheshireSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Cheshire Fire Department before the sale closes.
Trash goes through the transfer station with pay-as-you-throw tags
Cheshire does not offer curbside trash pickup. Residents buy an annual transfer station permit and pay-as-you-throw tags to dispose of trash. Budget for this when comparing costs to towns with curbside service.
Board of Health handles septic and well permits
Cheshire's Board of Health, supported by the Berkshire Public Health Alliance, handles Title 5 septic inspections and well permitting for properties not on town water and sewer.
Check FEMA flood maps near Cheshire Reservoir
Cheshire Reservoir and the Hoosic River put some low-lying parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the water.
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 Cheshire?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Cheshire address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Cheshire: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Cheshire.
- Trash and recyclingCheshire uses a transfer station rather than curbside pickup. Residents buy an annual permit plus pay-as-you-throw tags for trash disposal.
- 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
Cheshire Transfer Station
191 Church Street, Cheshire, MA 01225 (permits/tags sold at Town Offices)
$150 per year (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027); PAYT tags $5 per sheet or $1 each
Transfer station detailsTown Offices offices and contacts
Cheshire Town Offices is at 191 Church Street, Cheshire, MA 01225. Main line: 413-743-1690.
- Town OfficesMain line and website413-743-1690
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, elections and dog licenses.413-743-1690 ext. 104
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.413-743-3929 ext. 103
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits, wiring, plumbing/gas inspections and zoning enforcement.413-743-1690 ext. 111
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, well permits and food establishment permitting, supported by the Berkshire Public Health Alliance.413-743-1690 ext. 106
- Department of Public WorksHighway, water, facilities and the transfer station.413-743-1690 ext. 110
- Fire DepartmentFire protection; the Hoosac Hose Company traces to 1892.
- Cheshire Public LibraryThe town's public library.413-743-4746
Cheshire, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Cheshire, MA?
Cheshire's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.58 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 Cheshire?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,232 a year at $10.58 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Cheshire have a split tax rate?
No. Cheshire uses a single rate of $10.58 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Cheshire?
The average single-family tax bill in Cheshire was $3,586 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $338,951.
What county is Cheshire, MA in?
Cheshire is in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP code does Cheshire use?
Cheshire uses a single ZIP code, 01225, for the whole town.
Is trash pickup curbside or pay-as-you-throw in Cheshire?
Cheshire uses a transfer station with an annual permit and pay-as-you-throw tags rather than curbside pickup.
How far is Cheshire from Pittsfield?
Cheshire is about 10.5 miles southwest of Pittsfield, roughly a 15-20 minute drive.
Is there a train station in Cheshire?
No. Cheshire has no train station.
Which towns border Cheshire?
Cheshire borders New Ashford, Adams, Savoy, Windsor, Dalton and Lanesborough.
Towns near Cheshire
Neighbors of Cheshire, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Cheshire, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Cheshire official website: cheshire-ma.gov
- Town of Cheshire - Town Clerk: cheshire-ma.gov
- Town of Cheshire - Board of Assessors: cheshire-ma.gov
- Town of Cheshire - Building Department: cheshire-ma.gov
- Town of Cheshire - Board of Health: cheshire-ma.gov
- Town of Cheshire - Department of Public Works: cheshire-ma.gov
- Town of Cheshire - Transfer Station: cheshire-ma.gov
- Town of Cheshire - Cheshire Public Library: cheshire-ma.gov
- Cheshire Reservoir 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.