Downtown Fitchburg
718 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Living in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg is a city in northern Worcester County, on the Nashua River about 50 miles northwest of Boston. Settled as part of Lunenburg in 1730, it was incorporated as its own town in 1764 and chartered as a city in 1872. The city grew around paper, textile and machinery manufacturing powered by the river, and today its downtown centers on the Upper Common near City Hall.
Fitchburg at a glance
- $13.29Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,189Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 35-40 minDrive to Worcester
- WorcesterCounty
Fitchburg's villages and zip codes
Fitchburg uses a single ZIP code, 01420, for the whole city.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Fitchburg | 01420 | The city center around City Hall and the Upper Common, where the Rollstone Boulder landmark sits on a traffic island. |
| North Fitchburg | 01420 | The northern section of the city toward the Ashby line. |
| South Fitchburg | 01420 | The section of the city toward the Leominster line. |
Things to do in Fitchburg, MA
Start with Rollstone Boulder and Fitchburg Art Museum, then 2 more below.
Rollstone Boulder
A ten-foot-tall, 110-ton glacial erratic of porphyritic granite, moved from Rollstone Hill in 1929 and reassembled on a traffic island near the Upper Common downtown.
Downtown Fitchburg, near Upper Common
Fitchburg Art Museum
A museum founded in 1925 with a permanent collection of more than 7,000 works, including strengths in American art, photography and Egyptian art, with free admission.
185 Elm St, Fitchburg, MA
Coggshall Park
A 300-acre city park established in 1894 with wooded trails, access to Mirror Lake, a walking path, gazebo, stone house, playground and disc golf course.
Fitchburg, MA
Fitchburg State University
A public university founded in 1894, with a 31-acre campus in the city, hosting public lectures, athletics and the Hammond Hall gallery.
160 Pearl St, Fitchburg, MA
More worth a visit
- Flat Rock Wildlife SanctuaryA 326-acre wildlife area with trails.
- West Fitchburg Steam Line TrailA short bike and walking path along the Nashua River and Flag Brook.
- Fitchburg Abolitionist ParkA park created in 2017 to mark the city's anti-slavery history.
A little history
Fitchburg was settled in 1730 as part of Lunenburg, incorporated as its own town in 1764, and chartered as a city in 1872.
The Nashua River powered 19th-century paper, textile and machinery mills that built the city's industrial economy.
The Rollstone Boulder, a glacial erratic that once sat on Rollstone Hill, was moved downtown in 1929 after quarrying threatened it, and remains a symbol of the city.
Fitchburg State University traces to a state normal school founded in the city in 1894.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Fitchburg
Coggshall Park and the Flat Rock Wildlife Sanctuary give Fitchburg wooded trails and pond access within the city, alongside the Nashua River corridor.
- Coggshall Park300 acres of wooded trails, a gazebo, stone house and disc golf course around Mirror Lake.
- Flat Rock Wildlife SanctuaryA 326-acre wildlife area with trails.
- West Fitchburg Steam Line TrailA walking and biking path along the Nashua River and Flag Brook.
Walkability and getting around Fitchburg
Downtown Fitchburg around Main Street and the Upper Common has sidewalks connecting City Hall, the art museum and shops, but much of the city outside downtown is built for driving.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 25 miles35-40 min
- Worcester Regional Airport, about 28 miles40-45 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) operates local bus service in Fitchburg. Fitchburg Station and nearby Wachusett Station serve the MBTA Commuter Rail Fitchburg Line to Boston's North Station.
Fitchburg property taxes
Fitchburg's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.29 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,329 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,189, on an average assessed value of $390,444.
Fitchburg's FY2026 tax rates
$13.29per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.29 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$390,444
- Average single-family tax bill$5,189
- 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 | $17.61 |
| FY2023 | $16.02 |
| FY2024 | $14.81 |
| FY2025 | $13.51 |
| FY2026 | $13.29 |
Look up a Fitchburg property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- City ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-829-1800
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Fitchburg
What we check on a Fitchburg purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke certificate.
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 loansCheck the flood zone first
The Nashua River runs through Fitchburg, putting some low-lying parcels near the river and Flag Brook in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for FitchburgSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Fitchburg Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-829-1800 to schedule.
Fitchburg Fire Department pageSmoke and CO certificate before closing
Massachusetts requires a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale closes.
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 Fitchburg?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Fitchburg address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Fitchburg: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Fitchburg: Unitil (Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company) for power.
- ElectricUnitil (Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company)
- Natural gasUnitil (Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company)
- WaterCity of Fitchburg water department (municipal water)
- Sewer or septicCity sewer serves Fitchburg's developed areas.
- 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
City Hall offices and contacts
Fitchburg City Hall is at 718 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420. Main line: 978-829-1800.
- City HallMain line and website978-829-1800
- City ClerkVital records, business certificates and elections.978-829-1800
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.978-829-1800
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-829-1800
- Inspectional ServicesBuilding permits and inspections.978-829-1800
- Planning DepartmentZoning and land use.978-829-1800
- Public WorksTrash, recycling, water, sewer and streets.978-829-1800
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention, inspections and smoke/CO certificates.978-829-1800
- Health DepartmentPublic health and Board of Health matters.978-829-1800
- Fitchburg Public LibraryThe city's public library, established in 1859.
- Fitchburg Public SchoolsThe city's public school district.
Fitchburg, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Fitchburg, MA?
Fitchburg's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.29 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 Fitchburg?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,316 a year at $13.29 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Fitchburg have a split tax rate?
No. Fitchburg uses a single rate of $13.29 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Fitchburg?
The average single-family tax bill in Fitchburg was $5,189 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $390,444.
What county is Fitchburg, MA in?
Fitchburg is in Worcester County.
What ZIP code does Fitchburg use?
Fitchburg uses a single ZIP code, 01420, for the whole city.
Who supplies electricity and gas in Fitchburg?
Unitil, operating as Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company, supplies both electricity and natural gas in Fitchburg.
Is there train service from Fitchburg?
Yes. Fitchburg Station and nearby Wachusett Station serve the MBTA Commuter Rail Fitchburg Line to Boston's North Station.
How far is Fitchburg from Worcester?
Fitchburg is about 25 miles from Worcester, roughly a 35-40 minute drive.
Which towns border Fitchburg?
Fitchburg borders Ashby, Lunenburg, Leominster, Westminster and a small portion of Ashburnham.
Towns near Fitchburg
Neighbors of Fitchburg, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Fitchburg, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Fitchburg official website: fitchburgma.gov
- Rollstone Boulder - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Fitchburg Art Museum - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Fitchburg State University - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Unitil Massachusetts service areas: unitil.com
- Downtown Fitchburg aerial 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: Nick Allen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.