Dedham center
450 Washington Street, Dedham, MA 02026
Living in Dedham, Massachusetts
Dedham is a town in Norfolk County on Boston's southwestern border, and it is the county seat. Settled in 1635 and incorporated in 1636, it holds the Fairbanks House, described as the oldest surviving timber-frame house in the United States, and Mother Brook, a 1639 diversion of the Charles River often cited as the first man-made canal in North America.
Dedham at a glance
- $12.30Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $9,974Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-30 minDrive to Boston
- NorfolkCounty
Dedham's villages and zip codes
Dedham uses 02026 for street addresses and 02027 for P.O. boxes.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Dedham center | 02026 | Along Washington Street around Town Hall and the Dedham Village Historic District. |
| East Dedham | 02026 | The eastern section of town along Mother Brook and Bussey Street, historically a mill and industrial area. |
| Oakdale | 02026 | A residential section in the town's eastern half. |
| Riverdale | 02026 | A neighborhood along the Charles River in the town's northern section. |
| Greenlodge | 02026 | A residential neighborhood in southern Dedham. |
Things to do in Dedham, MA
Start with Fairbanks House and Endicott Estate, then 3 more below.
Fairbanks House
A timber-frame house built around 1637 and expanded by the Fairbanks family over generations, described as the oldest surviving timber-frame house in the United States. It operates as a museum with tours of the house and grounds.
511 East Street, Dedham, MA
Endicott Estate
A Colonial Revival mansion and grounds built for the Endicott family, now a town-owned event and meeting venue.
656 East Street, Dedham, MA
Wilson Mountain Reservation
A wooded hilltop reservation with hiking trails, managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation with the Dedham Land Trust and the town among its stewardship partners.
384 Common Street, Dedham, MA
Dedham Village Historic District
A historic district around Washington and Court Streets with municipal and civic buildings reflecting Dedham's role as the Norfolk County seat, including the Norfolk County Courthouse.
Washington Street and Court Street, Dedham, MA
Legacy Place
An open-air shopping and dining center off Route 1 with national retailers, restaurants and a movie theater.
670 Legacy Place, Dedham, MA
Plan a visit
A little history
Dedham was settled in 1635 and incorporated in 1636; it authorized what is often described as the first taxpayer-funded public school in what became the United States on January 1, 1643.
In 1639 the town dug Mother Brook, a diversion channel from the Charles River to the Neponset River, often cited as the first man-made canal in North America; it powered mills along its banks for centuries.
Dedham's Norfolk County Courthouse hosted the 1921 trial of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, one of the most widely publicized criminal trials in American history.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Dedham
Dedham's outdoor space centers on the Charles and Neponset rivers, Mother Brook, and Wilson Mountain Reservation on the town's western side.
- Wilson Mountain ReservationWooded hiking trails on a hilltop reservation on Common Street.
- Charles RiverForms part of Dedham's northern and western boundary, with canoe and kayak access at points along its banks.
- Mother BrookA historic 1639 canal linking the Charles and Neponset rivers through East Dedham, with a walking path along part of its course.
Where to eat in Dedham: restaurants and coffee
3 places in Dedham to try, including italian restaurant and american bistro. No one paid to be listed.
Il Massimo
Italian restaurant
An Italian trattoria at Legacy Place from the owners of Pane Vino and Il Massimo of Federal Hill in Providence, serving lunch and dinner with a Sunday brunch.
Legacy Place, Dedham, MA
Liberty & Main
American bistro
An American bistro at Legacy Place with an interactive bar and a seasonal outdoor patio.
Legacy Place, Dedham, MA
Dedham Community House area shops
Mixed dining
Washington Street through Dedham center has a cluster of independent restaurants and cafes near Town Hall and the historic district.
Washington Street, Dedham, MA
Walkability and getting around Dedham
Dedham center around Washington Street and the historic district has sidewalks connecting Town Hall, the library and nearby shops, and Legacy Place is a walkable outdoor shopping center once you're there, but most neighborhoods and the routes between them are built around driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 10 miles20-30 min
- Logan International Airport, about 14 miles25-35 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The MBTA Franklin/Foxboro Line stops at Dedham Corporate Center station, and the MBTA Providence/Stoughton Line stops at Endicott and Readville (Readville is just across the Boston line). Local MBTA bus routes also serve the town along Washington Street and other corridors.
Dedham property taxes
Dedham's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.30 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $25.51. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,230 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $9,974, on an average assessed value of $810,871.
Dedham's FY2026 tax rates
$12.30per $1,000, residential
- Residential$12.30 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$25.51 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$810,871
- Average single-family tax bill$9,974
- 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 | $13.35 |
| FY2023 | $12.84 |
| FY2024 | $12.50 |
| FY2025 | $12.62 |
| FY2026 | $12.30 |
Look up a Dedham property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 781-751-9130
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Dedham
What we check on a Dedham purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, river flood zones.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Norfolk County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
The Charles River forms part of Dedham's northern and western boundary and the Neponset River and Mother Brook cross the town, putting low-lying parcels near these waterways in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for DedhamSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Dedham Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 781-751-9400 to schedule.
Dedham 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. Dedham's Fire Prevention Division schedules these inspections.
Dedham Fire DepartmentCheck FEMA flood maps near the Charles and Neponset rivers
Parts of Dedham along the Charles River, the Neponset River and Mother Brook fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer near any of these waterways.
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 Dedham?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Dedham address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Dedham: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Dedham: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasEversource Gas of Massachusetts
- WaterDedham-Westwood Water District, a locally controlled public water system serving both towns
- Sewer or septicPublic sewer serves most of the town; the town's DPW lists a separate sewer and stormwater utility service.
- Trash and recyclingDedham contracts with Boston Carting Services for curbside trash and recycling collection. The town has discussed a pay-as-you-throw program but it was not included in the FY2026 budget; residents with extra household trash can arrange paid excess-trash pickup through the town's contractor.
- 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
Town Hall offices and contacts
Dedham Town Hall is at 450 Washington Street, Dedham, MA 02026. Main line: 781-751-9100.
- Town HallMain line and website781-751-9100
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.781-751-9130
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic permits and inspections, and other health and housing matters.
- Fire DepartmentFire suppression, emergency medical response, and smoke/CO alarm compliance inspections for home sales.781-751-9412
- Department of Public WorksRoads, trash and recycling, and sewer and stormwater infrastructure.
- Dedham Public LibraryThe town's public library, with a main branch and the Endicott branch.781-751-9284
Dedham, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Dedham, MA?
Dedham's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.30 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $25.51. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Dedham?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,920 a year at $12.30 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Dedham have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $12.30 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $25.51.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Dedham?
The average single-family tax bill in Dedham was $9,974 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $810,871.
Is trash pickup curbside in Dedham?
Yes. Dedham contracts with Boston Carting Services for curbside trash and recycling collection; a proposed pay-as-you-throw program was not included in the FY2026 town budget.
Who supplies electricity and natural gas in Dedham?
Eversource provides both electric and natural gas service in Dedham.
What water utility serves Dedham?
The Dedham-Westwood Water District, a locally controlled public water system, serves both Dedham and Westwood.
What ZIP code does Dedham use?
Dedham uses 02026 for street addresses and 02027 for P.O. boxes.
Is there train service in Dedham?
Yes. The MBTA's Franklin/Foxboro Line stops at Dedham Corporate Center, and the Providence/Stoughton Line stops at Endicott station in town.
How far is Dedham from Boston?
Dedham borders Boston directly on its northeastern edge, and downtown Boston is roughly 10 miles away.
Towns near Dedham
Neighbors of Dedham, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Dedham, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Dedham official website: dedham-ma.gov
- Board of Assessors - Town of Dedham: dedham-ma.gov
- Recycling & Trash - Town of Dedham: dedham-ma.gov
- Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) - Be Heard Dedham: beheard.dedhamma.gov
- Dedham-Westwood Water District: dwwd.org
- Police, Fire, Dispatch in New Public Safety Building - Town of Dedham: dedhamma.gov
- Fire Department - Town of Dedham: dedham-ma.gov
- Dedham Public Library / dedhamlibrary.com: dedhamlibrary.com
- Town Hall and Senior Center photo, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Il Massimo at Legacy Place - OpenTable: opentable.com
- Legacy Place: legacyplace.com
- 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: Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.