Chester Center
15 Middlefield Road, Chester, MA 01011
Living in Chester, Massachusetts
Chester is a town in the hill country of Hampden County, along the Westfield River in Western Massachusetts. It was settled in 1760 and incorporated as Murrayfield in 1765, then renamed Chester in 1783. The Western Railroad reached the village in 1841, and the town still centers on the rail line and Route 20 along the river valley.
Chester at a glance
- $18.06Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $4,458Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 45-50 minDrive to Springfield
- HampdenCounty
Chester's villages and zip codes
Chester uses ZIP code 01011.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Chester Center | 01011 | The town's main village along Route 20 and the rail line, where Town Hall, the library and the fire station are located. |
| North Chester | 01011 | A section north of the village center, toward the Worthington and Middlefield lines. |
| Dayville | 01011 | A smaller section of town along the Westfield River. |
Things to do in Chester, MA
Start with Keystone Arch Bridges Trail and Chester-Blandford State Forest, then 2 more below.
Keystone Arch Bridges Trail
A trail along the Westfield River to a cluster of stone-arch railroad bridges built around 1838-41, among the first of their kind in the United States. Short spur paths lead from the main trail to the arches. Accessed from Herbert Cross Road off Middlefield Road.
Herbert Cross Road, Chester, MA
Plan a visitChester-Blandford State Forest
A state forest with trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and cross-country skiing, including the Sanderson Brook Falls Loop and views over the Westfield River valley. Picnicking and fishing are also allowed.
115 East River Rd, Chester, MA
Plan a visitChester Railway Station and Museum
A restored 1841 railroad depot with exhibits on the Western Railroad and the town's rail history. Open weekends in summer, or by appointment.
10 Prospect St, Chester, MA 01011
Plan a visitChester Theatre Company
A professional summer theater presenting a season of plays in Chester Town Hall.
15 Middlefield Rd, Chester, MA 01011
Plan a visit
A little history
Chester was settled in 1760 and incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court as Murrayfield on October 31, 1765; it was renamed Chester in 1783.
The Western Railroad reached Chester on May 24, 1841, and the nearby Keystone Arch Bridges, built for that line, are among the earliest stone-arch railroad bridges in the United States.
Chester holds both of Massachusetts's recorded statewide temperature extremes: 107°F on August 2, 1975, and -35°F on January 12, 1981.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Chester
The West Branch and Middle Branch of the Westfield River, along with Chester-Blandford State Forest, give the town its trails and river access.
- Chester-Blandford State ForestHiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails, including the Sanderson Brook Falls Loop, on land shared with neighboring Blandford.More information
- Keystone Arch Bridges TrailA riverside trail to historic stone railroad arches along the Westfield River, part of a federally designated Wild and Scenic River corridor.More information
- Westfield RiverThe West Branch and Middle Branch of the Westfield River run through town, used for fishing and paddling in season.
Where to eat in Chester: restaurants and coffee
2 places in Chester to try, including breakfast and lunch restaurant and general store and deli. No one paid to be listed.
Carm's Restaurant
Breakfast and lunch restaurant
A restaurant and coffee shop on Route 20 serving breakfast and lunch in a building that was once a Mobil service station. Open six days a week, closed Tuesdays.
241 Route 20, Chester, MA 01011 · carmsinchester.com
Chester Village Market
General store and deli
A general store on Route 20 with a deli counter and convenience items.
191 Route 20, Chester, MA 01011
Walkability and getting around Chester
Chester Center has sidewalks along Route 20 near Town Hall, the library and the village's few businesses, but the rest of town, including its outlying roads and hill sections, is built for driving.
North Chester
Dayville
Drive times
- Springfield, about 28 miles45-50 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 45 miles55-65 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Chester has no fixed-route PVTA bus service and no passenger rail station; freight trains still run through on the former Western Railroad line. The nearest city, Springfield, is about 28 miles east via US Route 20.
Chester property taxes
Chester's FY2026 residential tax rate is $18.06 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,806 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,458, on an average assessed value of $246,850.
Chester's FY2026 tax rates
$18.06per $1,000, residential
- Residential$18.06 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$246,850
- Average single-family tax bill$4,458
- 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 | $19.18 |
| FY2023 | $17.83 |
| FY2024 | $17.08 |
| FY2025 | $18.06 |
| FY2026 | $18.06 |
Look up a Chester property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-354-6318
- Hampden County Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Chester
What we check on a Chester purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, municipal electric, septic & wells, smoke certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Hampden County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
The West Branch and Middle Branch of the Westfield River run through town, putting low-lying parcels near the river in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for ChesterSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Chester Fire Department before the sale closes.
Chester has its own electric utility
Electric service in Chester comes from the Chester Municipal Electric Light Department, a town-owned utility, rather than a private company like Eversource or National Grid. Buyers should set up service with CMELD directly when moving in.
CMELDMost homes are on private well and septic
Outside the village center, homes in Chester typically rely on private wells and septic systems rather than town water and sewer. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before most home sales, arranged through the Board of Health.
Smoke and CO certificate needed before closing
Massachusetts sellers need a smoke and carbon monoxide detector certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. In Chester, that inspection is scheduled through the Fire Department.
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 Chester?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Chester address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Chester: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Chester: Chester Municipal Electric Light Department (CMELD), a town-owned utility serving about 700 customers since 1926 for power.
- ElectricChester Municipal Electric Light Department (CMELD), a town-owned utility serving about 700 customers since 1926
- Natural gasNo natural gas service
- WaterTown of Chester Water Department serves the village center; outlying areas rely on private wells
- Sewer or septicMost of the town, including outlying areas, relies on private septic systems.
- Trash and recyclingChester does not offer curbside trash collection; residents bring waste and recycling to the town transfer station.
- 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
Chester Transfer Station
Emery Street, Chester, MA 01011 Varies by season, typically Saturdays and select weekday afternoons; confirm current hours with the Highway Department.
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Chester Town Hall is at 15 Middlefield Road, Chester, MA 01011. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM. Main line: 413-354-7760.
- Town HallMain line and website413-354-7760
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and town meeting records.413-354-6603
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments.413-354-6318
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.413-354-7760
- Building InspectorBuilding permits and inspections.413-354-7760
- Municipal Electric Light (CMELD)The town's municipal electric utility.413-354-7811
- Fire DepartmentFire, rescue and smoke/CO certificate inspections for home sales.413-354-6558
- Board of HealthSeptic (Title 5) and well permitting.413-519-3396
- Chester Free Public LibraryThe town's public library.413-354-7808
- Gateway Regional School DistrictThe town's public school district.
Chester, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Chester, MA?
Chester's FY2026 residential tax rate is $18.06 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 Chester?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $7,224 a year at $18.06 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Chester have a split tax rate?
No. Chester uses a single rate of $18.06 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Chester?
The average single-family tax bill in Chester was $4,458 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $246,850.
Is trash pickup curbside in Chester?
No. Chester has no curbside collection; residents bring trash and recycling to the town transfer station on Emery Street.
Who supplies electricity in Chester?
The Chester Municipal Electric Light Department (CMELD), a town-owned utility, supplies electricity to about 700 customers in town.
What ZIP code does Chester use?
Chester uses ZIP code 01011.
How far is Chester from Springfield?
Chester is about 28 miles from Springfield, roughly a 45-50 minute drive via US Route 20.
Which towns border Chester?
Chester borders Huntington, Worthington, Middlefield, Becket and Blandford, all in Massachusetts.
Towns near Chester
Neighbors of Chester, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Chester, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Chester, MA - official website: townofchester.net
- Assessors - Town of Chester, MA: townofchester.net
- Municipal Electric Light (CMELD) - Town of Chester, MA: townofchester.net
- About Chester Municipal Electric Light Department: chestermunicipalelectric.com
- Board of Health - Town of Chester, MA: townofchester.net
- Fire Department - Town of Chester, MA: townofchester.net
- Keystone Arch Bridges: keystonearches.com
- Chester-Blandford State Forest - Mass.gov: mass.gov
- Chester Railway Station and Museum: chesterrailwaystation.net
- Chester Theatre Company: chestertheatre.org
- Carm's Restaurant, Chester, MA: carmsinchester.com
- Chester 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.