Dunstable center
511 Main Street, Dunstable, MA 01827
Living in Dunstable, Massachusetts
Dunstable is a town in Middlesex County on the New Hampshire border, first settled in 1656 and incorporated in 1673 as part of an original township that once spanned 200 square miles across present-day Massachusetts and New Hampshire before boundary changes in 1740. It retains a largely rural, agricultural character, with a single village center along Main Street.
Dunstable at a glance
- $13.39Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $9,982Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Nashua, NH
- MiddlesexCounty
Dunstable's zip code
The whole town uses ZIP code 01827.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Dunstable center | 01827 | Along Main Street around the Town Commons, with the Sarah R. S. Roby Town Hall, the Dunstable Evangelical Congregational Church, and the Dunstable Free Public Library. |
Things to do in Dunstable, MA
Start with The Little Red Schoolhouse and Blanchard Hill Conservation Area, then 2 more below.
The Little Red Schoolhouse
A historic one-room schoolhouse on Route 113 near the Tyngsborough line, originally moved from Tyngsborough, that hosts student field trips recreating 19th-century education. It holds an annual strawberry-themed festival, and Boy Scout Troop 28 runs a yearly Mother's Day pancake breakfast there.
Route 113, Dunstable, MA
Blanchard Hill Conservation Area
A 39-acre conservation area on the site of a former ski resort, now used for walking and passive recreation.
Dunstable, MA
Dunstable Evangelical Congregational Church
The town's sole church, established in 1831 with its current building dating from the early 1900s, standing next to the Town Commons.
518 Main Street, Dunstable, MA
Dunstable Free Public Library
The town's public library on Main Street.
588 Main Street, Dunstable, MA
Around the calendar
- MayMother's Day Pancake BreakfastAn annual pancake breakfast at the Little Red Schoolhouse organized by Boy Scout Troop 28.
- JuneStrawberry FestivalAn annual strawberry-themed festival at the Little Red Schoolhouse.
A little history
Dunstable was first settled by English colonists in 1656; the original township, incorporated in 1673, covered about 200 square miles across what are now several Massachusetts and New Hampshire towns before boundary changes in 1740 split it apart.
The Sarah R. S. Roby Town Hall at 511 Main Street was built in 1909 and renovated in 2003.
The Dunstable Evangelical Congregational Church, established in 1831, is the town's only church and stands next to the Town Commons.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Dunstable
Dunstable's outdoor recreation is centered on Blanchard Hill, a former ski resort turned conservation area, along with the town's network of conservation trails.
- Blanchard Hill Conservation Area39 acres of former ski-resort land now open for walking and passive recreation.
Walkability and getting around Dunstable
Dunstable center along Main Street has Town Hall, the church and the library close together around the Town Commons, but limited sidewalks beyond that core. The rest of the town's rural, agricultural land is built around driving.
Drive times
- Nashua, NH, about 8 miles15-20 min
- Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, about 30 miles35-45 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Dunstable has no MBTA Commuter Rail station or fixed-route local bus service; the nearest commuter rail service is on the Lowell Line in neighboring communities to the south.
Dunstable property taxes
Dunstable's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.39 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,339 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $9,982, on an average assessed value of $745,497.
Dunstable's FY2026 tax rates
$13.39per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.39 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$745,497
- Average single-family tax bill$9,982
- 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 | $15.25 |
| FY2023 | $14.97 |
| FY2024 | $13.96 |
| FY2025 | $13.75 |
| FY2026 | $13.39 |
Look up a Dunstable property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Dunstable
What we check on a Dunstable purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, wells and septic, smoke & co certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Wetlands and brooks in Dunstable's rural, agricultural land put some low-lying parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones; check the flood map for any property near a stream or wetland. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for DunstableSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Dunstable Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-649-6661 to schedule.
Dunstable Fire Department pageMany homes rely on private wells and septic
Parts of Dunstable are served by the town Water Department, but many homes rely on private wells, and most rely on private septic systems since there is no townwide public sewer. A Title 5 septic inspection is typically required before a home sale closes.
Dunstable Board of HealthMassachusetts 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 sale can close. Dunstable's Fire Department schedules these inspections online.
Dunstable Fire DepartmentAll 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 Dunstable?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Dunstable address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Dunstable: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Dunstable: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasNo natural gas service confirmed
- WaterDunstable Water Department serves parts of town; other homes rely on private wells
- Sewer or septicMost of the town relies on private septic systems.
- Trash and recyclingDunstable has curbside trash and recycling pickup through a subscription hauler (Shaws), with residents paying for service and any overflow bags online; six holidays affect the pickup schedule each year.
- 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
Dunstable Town Hall is at 511 Main Street, Dunstable, MA 01827. Hours: Monday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.. Main line: 978-649-4514.
- Town HallMain line and website978-649-4514
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.978-649-4514 ext. 222
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments.
- Treasurer/Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Building/InspectionsBuilding permits and inspections.
- Planning BoardZoning, land use and planning applications.
- Water DepartmentPublic water service and water conservation.
- Board of HealthTrash/recycling administration, septic and well guidance, and health permits.978-649-4514 ext. 229
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention, suppression, and smoke/CO inspections.978-649-6661
- Dunstable Free Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- Groton-Dunstable Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Dunstable.
Dunstable, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Dunstable, MA?
Dunstable's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.39 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 Dunstable?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,356 a year at $13.39 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Dunstable have a split tax rate?
No. Dunstable uses a single rate of $13.39 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Dunstable?
The average single-family tax bill in Dunstable was $9,982 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $745,497.
Is trash pickup curbside or transfer station in Dunstable?
Dunstable has curbside trash and recycling pickup through a subscription hauler; residents pay for service and any overflow bags online through the Board of Health.
Who supplies electricity in Dunstable?
Eversource provides electric service in Dunstable.
What ZIP code does Dunstable use?
The whole town uses ZIP code 01827.
Is there public transit in Dunstable?
Dunstable has no MBTA Commuter Rail station or fixed-route local bus service.
How far is Dunstable from Nashua, NH?
Dunstable borders Nashua, New Hampshire, and Hollis, New Hampshire, and is about 8 miles from downtown Nashua.
How do I schedule a smoke/CO inspection in Dunstable?
The Dunstable Fire Department schedules smoke and carbon monoxide inspections through an online booking link on its town webpage.
Towns near Dunstable
Neighbors of Dunstable, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Dunstable, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Dunstable, MA official website: dunstable-ma.gov
- Trash & Recycling Information - Dunstable, MA: dunstable-ma.gov
- Dunstable Fire Department: dunstable-ma.gov
- Town Clerk - Dunstable, MA: dunstable-ma.gov
- Board of Health - Dunstable, MA: dunstable-ma.gov
- 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.