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Living in Fall River, Massachusetts

Fall River is a city in Bristol County on the eastern shore of Mount Hope Bay, at the mouth of the Quequechan River. Incorporated as a town in 1803 and as a city in 1854, it became a major textile manufacturing center, holding about one-sixth of New England's cotton-spinning capacity by 1876. Its city motto, 'We'll Try,' dates to the Great Fire of 1843, which destroyed more than 200 buildings.

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated

Fall River at a glance

Fall River's zip code

Fall River uses ZIP codes 02720 through 02724, and 02790 for the Fall River post office boxes serving parts of the South End.

Fall River villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Government Center / downtown02720The city center around One Government Center, built over Interstate 195, near Battleship Cove on the waterfront.

Things to do in Fall River, MA

Start with Battleship Cove and Kennedy Park, then 3 more below.

  1. Battleship Cove

    A nonprofit maritime museum established in 1965 describing itself as home to the world's largest collection of World War II-era naval vessels, anchored by the battleship USS Massachusetts.

    Year-round

    Fall River waterfront at Mount Hope Bay

  2. Kennedy Park

    A 57-acre park designed in 1868 by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, bounded by South Main Street, Bradford Avenue, Middle Street and Bay Street, with recreational fields and wooded areas.

    FreeYear-round

    South Main Street, Fall River, MA

  3. Quequechan River Rail Trail

    A roughly 2.5-mile paved bike and walking path built along former rail right-of-way through the city.

    FreeYear-round

    Fall River, MA

  4. Lizzie Borden House

    An 1845 house at 230 Second Street, now operated as a bed-and-breakfast and museum, preserved from the period of the unsolved 1892 case that made it nationally known.

    Year-round

    230 Second Street, Fall River, MA

  5. Fall River Museum of Contemporary Art

    A contemporary art museum on Bedford Street in the downtown area.

    Year-round

    Bedford Street, Fall River, MA

Around the calendar

  • August
    Great Feast of the Holy GhostAn annual Portuguese-American religious and cultural feast that the city says draws more than 100,000 visitors.
  • July
    Fourth of July fireworksAnnual fireworks held at Heritage State Park near Battleship Cove.

A little history

Fall River was incorporated as a town in 1803 and as a city in 1854.

The city became one of the largest textile manufacturing centers in the country, holding about one-sixth of all New England cotton-spinning capacity by 1876.

The Great Fire of 1843 destroyed more than 200 buildings in the city center, giving rise to the city motto, 'We'll Try.'

Parks, trails and outdoors in Fall River

Fall River's outdoor recreation includes the Olmsted-designed Kennedy Park, the Quequechan River Rail Trail, and a Mount Hope Bay waterfront anchored by Battleship Cove.

  • Kennedy ParkA 57-acre Olmsted-designed park with fields and wooded sections in the southern part of the city.
  • Quequechan River Rail TrailA paved multi-use path of roughly 2.5 miles along former rail right-of-way.
  • Ruggles ParkA city park in Fall River.
  • North ParkA city park in Fall River's North End.

Walkability and getting around Fall River

Downtown Fall River around Government Center and the Battleship Cove waterfront has a walkable core, but much of the city's residential area is built around driving.

Check any Fall River address

Drive times

  • Providence, RI, about 30 miles35-40 min
  • T.F. Green Airport (Providence, RI), about 25 miles30-35 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) runs fixed bus routes in Fall River. MBTA Commuter Rail's South Coast Rail service began March 24, 2025, on the Fall River/New Bedford Line, with Fall River station connecting to Boston's South Station; a second station near Battleship Cove is proposed for a future, currently unfunded, Phase 2.

Fall River property taxes

Fall River's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.48 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $23.58. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,148 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,651, on an average assessed value of $405,164.

Fall River's FY2026 tax rates

$11.48per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$11.48 per $1,000
  • Commercial, industrial, personal property$23.58 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$405,164
  • Average single-family tax bill$4,651
  • 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.

Fall River property tax calculator

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Assessed value (100%)
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Taxes a year
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About this much a month
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Estimate at the FY2026 residential rate; the assessor's value sets the bill.

Add it to a full payment estimate

How the residential rate has changed

Fiscal yearResidential rate
FY2022$12.62
FY2023$12.27
FY2024$11.49
FY2025$11.45
FY2026$11.48

Look up a Fall River property

Buying a home in Fall River

What we check on a Fall River purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, new commuter rail, coastal flood zones.

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

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

MassHousing home loans
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

Fall River lies on Mount Hope Bay at the mouth of the Quequechan River, and low-lying waterfront parcels near the bay, including areas around Battleship Cove, can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Fall River
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Fall River Fire Department before the sale closes.

Fall River Fire Department page
New commuter rail

South Coast Rail began serving Fall River in March 2025

MBTA Commuter Rail's Fall River/New Bedford Line started service on March 24, 2025, with Fall River station connecting to Boston's South Station. Buyers weighing a Boston commute should check current MBTA schedules and travel times for this new line.

Coastal flood zones

Check FEMA flood maps near Mount Hope Bay

Parts of Fall River near the Mount Hope Bay waterfront, including areas around Battleship Cove, fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the water.

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.

James Allen

Thinking about buying in Fall River?

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

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

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Fall River: utilities, trash and government center

Who to call in Fall River.

Government Center offices and contacts

Fall River Government Center is at One Government Center, Fall River, MA 02722. Main line: 508-324-2000.

Fall River, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Fall River, MA?

Fall River's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.48 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $23.58. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.

How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Fall River?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,592 a year at $11.48 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Fall River have a split tax rate?

Yes. Homes pay $11.48 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $23.58.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Fall River?

The average single-family tax bill in Fall River was $4,651 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $405,164.

Is there commuter rail service to Fall River?

Yes. MBTA Commuter Rail's South Coast Rail service, on the Fall River/New Bedford Line, began March 24, 2025, with Fall River station connecting to Boston's South Station.

Is trash pickup curbside in Fall River?

Yes. The city provides curbside cart collection for trash and recycling, plus separate bulky-item and seasonal yard-waste collection, through contractor Capitol Waste Services.

What ZIP codes does Fall River use?

Fall River uses ZIP codes 02720 through 02724, plus 02790.

Is there bus service in Fall River?

The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) runs fixed bus routes in Fall River.

What is Battleship Cove?

A nonprofit maritime museum on the Fall River waterfront, established in 1965, that describes itself as home to the world's largest collection of World War II-era naval vessels, anchored by the battleship USS Massachusetts.

Towns near Fall River

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

Sources