War monument by John Wilson near the Black Tavern Historical Society in Dudley, Massachusetts.

Living in Dudley, Massachusetts

Dudley is a town in southern Worcester County, incorporated in 1732 and bordering Connecticut. General George Washington and the Continental Army passed through in 1776 on the way to New York, and during the Civil War the town was a manufacturing center that produced Brogan boots and standard-issue uniforms for Union soldiers. The French River runs along the town line between Dudley and Webster, and Dudley Hill, the town's historical center, is home to Nichols College, founded in 1816.

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated September 25, 2026

Photo: Hantsheroes, CC BY-SA 3.0

Dudley at a glance

$10.06Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
$4,526Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
30-35 minDrive to Worcester
WorcesterCounty

Dudley's zip code

Dudley uses a single ZIP code, 01571, for the whole town.

Dudley villages and zip codes
Area	Zip code	Where it is
Dudley center	01571	Along West Main Street, where Town Hall and municipal offices are located.

Things to do in Dudley, MA

Start with Black Tavern and Nichols College, then 1 more below.

Black Tavern
A tavern building on Dudley Hill built around 1803 by Hezekiah Healy, now associated with the Black Tavern Historical Society.
Free
Dudley Hill, Dudley, MA
Nichols College
A four-year college on Dudley Hill, established in 1816 as a Universalist Church academy, with industrialist Samuel Slater among its early supporters.
Year-round
Dudley Hill, Dudley, MA
Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library
The town's public library, serving Dudley residents since 1897.
FreeYear-round
Dudley, MA

A little history

Dudley was incorporated in 1732.

In 1776, General George Washington and the Continental Army passed through Dudley en route to New York.

During the Civil War, Dudley was a major manufacturing center, producing most of the Brogan boots worn by the Union Army and much of the standard-issue Union uniforms.

Nichols College was established on Dudley Hill in 1816 as a Universalist Church institution, with industrialist Samuel Slater among its early supporters.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Dudley

Dudley's geography centers on the French River, which runs along the town line with Webster, and on Dudley Hill, the town's historical center.

French RiverA river running along the town line between Dudley and Webster.

Walkability and getting around Dudley

Dudley center along West Main Street has sidewalks near Town Hall, and Dudley Hill has a walkable core around Nichols College, but most of the town is built around driving.

Drive times

Worcester, about 20 miles30-35 min
Worcester Regional Airport, about 22 miles30-35 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

No fixed-route public transit information for Dudley was confirmed from town or Wikipedia sources.

Dudley property taxes

Dudley's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.06 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,006 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,526, on an average assessed value of $449,928.

Dudley's FY2026 tax rates

$10.06per $1,000, residential

Residential$10.06 per $1,000
Average single-family assessed value$449,928
Average single-family tax bill$4,526
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	$11.70
FY2023	$10.16
FY2024	$10.48
FY2025	$10.57
FY2026	$10.06

Look up a Dudley property

FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
Town ClerkVital records and town records
Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-949-8006
Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county

Buying a home in Dudley

What we check on a Dudley purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic & wells.

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Worcester County. We check them with you before you shop.

MassHousing home loans

Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

The French River runs along the town line between Dudley and Webster, putting low-lying parcels near it in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Dudley

Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Dudley Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-949-8040 to schedule.

Dudley Fire Department page

Septic & wells

Board of Health handles septic and well permitting

Dudley's Board of Health, on the third floor of Town Hall, handles septic system and well permitting and Title 5 inspections. Buyers should confirm septic and well status before making an offer.

Dudley Board of Health

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 Dudley?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Dudley address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Call (860) 398-5268 Text us Email the team

Compare loan options Our process

Moving to Dudley: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Dudley: National Grid for power.

ElectricNational Grid
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

Dudley Town Hall is at 71 West Main Street, Dudley, MA 01571. Main line: 508-949-8000.

Dudley, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Dudley, MA?

Dudley's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.06 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 Dudley?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,024 a year at $10.06 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Dudley have a split tax rate?

No. Dudley uses a single rate of $10.06 per $1,000 for all property classes.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Dudley?

The average single-family tax bill in Dudley was $4,526 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $449,928.

What ZIP code does Dudley use?

Dudley uses a single ZIP code, 01571, for the whole town.

Who supplies electricity in Dudley?

National Grid provides electric service in Dudley.

Which towns border Dudley?

Dudley borders Oxford, Charlton, Southbridge and Webster in Massachusetts, and Woodstock and Thompson in Connecticut.

How far is Dudley from Worcester?

Dudley is about 20 miles from Worcester, roughly a 30-35 minute drive.

What high school do Dudley students attend?

Dudley is part of the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District; high school students attend Shepherd Hill Regional High School.

What is Town Hall's address and phone number?

Dudley Town Hall is at 71 West Main Street, Dudley, MA 01571, phone 508-949-8000.

Towns near Dudley

Neighbors of Dudley, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources

Dudley, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Town of Dudley official website: dudleyma.gov
Highway Department directory - Dudley, MA: dudleyma.gov
Board of Health directory - Dudley, MA: dudleyma.gov
MassDOT Utility Contacts by District/Municipality - Dudley: hwy.massdot.state.ma.us
War Monument by John Wilson, Dudley, Massachusetts 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: Hantsheroes, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Checked September 25, 2026.