Dalton center
462 Main Street, Dalton, MA 01226
Living in Dalton, Massachusetts
Dalton is a small town in central Berkshire County, about 5 miles northeast of Pittsfield, built up along the East Branch of the Housatonic River. It was incorporated in 1784, and a paper mill founded there in 1801 grew into Crane & Co., which has been the sole supplier of paper for U.S. currency since 1873. The Appalachian Trail passes through the downtown area between Tully and North Mountains.
Dalton at a glance
- $16.87Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,011Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 10-15 minDrive to Pittsfield
- BerkshireCounty
Dalton's zip code
Dalton uses ZIP code 01226.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton center | 01226 | The town center along Main Street and the East Branch of the Housatonic River, where Town Hall, the library and Crane & Co. are located. |
Things to do in Dalton, MA
Start with Wahconah Falls State Park and Appalachian Trail through Dalton.
Wahconah Falls State Park
A small state park centered on a waterfall on Wahconah Falls Brook, with a short walk from the parking area to the falls.
Wahconah Falls Road, Dalton, MA
Plan a visit to Wahconah Falls State Park (opens in a new tab)Appalachian Trail through Dalton
The Appalachian Trail passes through Dalton's downtown, between Tully Mountain and North Mountain, one of the few places the trail runs through a town center.
Downtown Dalton, MA
A little history
Dalton was incorporated in 1784 and grew as a mill town along the East Branch of the Housatonic River.
In 1801, Zenas Crane, Henry Wiswall and John Willard founded a paper mill in Dalton; by 1844 it was producing banknote paper, and the resulting company, Crane & Co., has been the sole supplier of paper for U.S. Federal Reserve Notes since 1873.
Dalton was for many years connected to Pittsfield by trolley service.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Dalton
Wahconah Falls, the Dalton Wildlife Management Area and the Appalachian Trail give Dalton hiking and stream access close to its town center.
- Wahconah Falls State ParkA waterfall on Wahconah Falls Brook with a short, accessible trail.More information
- Dalton Wildlife Management AreaA plateau area in the north of town between North Mountain and Western Mountain, managed for wildlife habitat.
- Appalachian TrailThe trail crosses Dalton between Tully Mountain and North Mountain, passing near the downtown.
Walkability and getting around Dalton
Downtown Dalton has sidewalks along Main Street near Town Hall and the library, with the Appalachian Trail passing close to the center, but most of the town is built for driving.
Drive times
- Pittsfield, about 5 miles10-15 min
- Albany International Airport, about 44 miles55-60 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Dalton has no fixed-route public bus or passenger rail service; it is about 5 miles from Pittsfield, where BRTA bus routes and the seasonal Amtrak Berkshire Flyer are available.
Dalton property taxes
Dalton's most recent certified residential tax rate is $16.87 per $1,000 of assessed value, for FY2026 (July 2025 to June 2026). Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,687 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,011, on an average assessed value of $356,286.
Dalton's FY2026 tax rates
$16.87per $1,000, residential
- Residential$16.87 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$356,286
- Average single-family tax bill$6,011
- 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 | $20.74 |
| FY2023 | $18.37 |
| FY2024 | $17.01 |
| FY2025 | $16.47 |
| FY2026 | $16.87 |
Look up a Dalton property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-684-6111 ext. 206
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Dalton
Things to look into on a Dalton purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, no town trash pickup.
MassHousing home loans
MassHousing sets income limits by community, and they depend on household size and loan program. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans (opens in a new tab)Check the flood zone first
The East Branch of the Housatonic River runs through the Dalton town center, putting low-lying parcels near the river in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We take an early look at FEMA's map before you offer. That's not a flood determination: the official determination ordered with your loan decides whether flood insurance is required.
FEMA's flood map for Dalton (opens in a new tab)Smoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Dalton Fire Department before the sale closes.
No curbside collection; residents use the transfer station or a private hauler
Dalton does not offer any public trash or recycling pickup. Residents either hire a private hauler or buy an annual transfer station sticker for the Bridle Road facility.
Transfer Station (opens in a new tab)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.
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 Dalton?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Dalton address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Dalton: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Dalton: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasBerkshire Gas Company serves parts of town; some areas have no natural gas service
- WaterTown of Dalton Water Department, a municipal utility
- Sewer or septicTown of Dalton provides municipal sewer service in the developed parts of town; outlying parcels may rely on septic systems.
- Trash and recyclingDalton has no public trash or recycling pickup. Residents either hire a private hauler or buy a transfer station sticker: a first vehicle sticker is $120 at the station ($114 online) for FY27, plus bag stickers ($3 for 15-gallon, $4 for 30-gallon).
- 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
Dalton Transfer Station
Bridle Road, off Park Avenue, Dalton, MA 01226 Tuesday and Wednesday 2-6 PM; Friday and Saturday 8 AM-4 PM
Vehicle sticker $120 at the station or $114 online (FY27); bag stickers $3-$4 each
Transfer station details (opens in a new tab)Town Hall offices and contacts
Dalton Town Hall is at 462 Main Street, Dalton, MA 01226. Hours: Monday-Wednesday 8 AM-5 PM, Thursday 8 AM-6 PM, closed Friday. Main line: 413-684-6111.
- Town HallMain line and website413-684-6111
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and licensing.413-684-6111 ext. 210
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments.413-684-6111 ext. 206
- Town CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.413-684-6111 ext. 208
- TreasurerTown finances and treasury.413-684-6111 ext. 213
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.413-684-6111 ext. 301
- Fire DepartmentFire, rescue and smoke/CO certificate inspections for home sales.413-684-0500
- Board of HealthSeptic (Title 5) and well permitting.413-684-6111 ext. 302
- Department of Public WorksHighway, water and the transfer station.413-684-6115
- Dalton Free Public LibraryThe town's public library.413-684-6112
- Central Berkshire Regional School DistrictThe town's public school district, which includes Wahconah Regional High School.
Dalton, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Dalton, MA?
Dalton's most recent certified residential tax rate is $16.87 per $1,000 of assessed value, for FY2026 (July 2025 to June 2026). Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Dalton?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,748 a year at $16.87 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Dalton have a split tax rate?
No. Dalton uses a single rate of $16.87 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Dalton?
The average single-family tax bill in Dalton was $6,011 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $356,286.
Does Dalton have curbside trash pickup?
No. Dalton has no public trash or recycling collection; residents hire a private hauler or buy a sticker for the transfer station on Bridle Road.
Who supplies electricity in Dalton?
Eversource is the electric utility serving Dalton.
What ZIP code does Dalton use?
Dalton uses ZIP code 01226.
How far is Dalton from Pittsfield?
Dalton is about 5 miles from Pittsfield, roughly a 10-15 minute drive.
Is there bus or train service in Dalton?
No. Dalton has no fixed-route bus or rail service; the nearest BRTA buses and the seasonal Amtrak Berkshire Flyer are in Pittsfield.
Which towns border Dalton?
Dalton borders Cheshire, Windsor, Hinsdale, Washington, Pittsfield and Lanesborough, all in Massachusetts.
Towns near Dalton
Neighbors of Dalton, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Dalton, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Dalton, MA - official website: dalton-ma.gov
- Transfer Station - Town of Dalton: dalton-ma.gov
- Directory - Town of Dalton: dalton-ma.gov
- Board of Health - Town of Dalton: dalton-ma.gov
- Dalton Free Public Library - Town of Dalton: dalton-ma.gov
- Wahconah Falls State Park - Mass.gov: mass.gov
- Fitch-Hoose House 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® ratings, provided live by Walk Score. Addresses are located with the U.S. Census Bureau geocoder.
- Photo: "Fitch hoose house ext left" by Apw250, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; resized.
- Checked September 25, 2026.