Franklin center
355 East Central St, Franklin, MA 02038
Living in Franklin, Massachusetts
Franklin lies in southwestern Norfolk County within the Charles River watershed, crossed by Mine, Shepard's, Miller, Uncas, Dix and Miscoe brooks. First settled in 1660, it was incorporated in 1778 and named for Benjamin Franklin, the first American municipality to take his name; Franklin thanked the town in 1790 by donating 116 books, the founding collection of what is considered the nation's oldest public library. Interstate 495 runs through town with exits at Route 140 and King Street.
Franklin at a glance
- $11.42Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $8,353Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 45-60 minDrive to Boston
- NorfolkCounty
Franklin's zip code
Franklin uses a single ZIP code, 02038, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin center | 02038 | The area around Town Hall on East Central Street and the Main Street business district. |
Things to do in Franklin, MA
Start with Franklin Public Library and Red Brick School, then 2 more below.
Franklin Public Library
Considered the nation's oldest public library, founded on 116 books Benjamin Franklin donated to the town in 1790.
Franklin, MA
Red Brick School
A preserved historic one-room schoolhouse in Franklin.
Franklin, MA
Ernest DelCarte Recreation and Conservation Area
A town conservation area with trails and a swimming pond used for recreation.
Franklin, MA
Franklin State Forest
State forest land with trails for walking and hiking within town.
Franklin, MA
More worth a visit
- Dean CollegeA private college in downtown Franklin with campus events open to the public.
A little history
Franklin was first settled by Europeans in 1660 and was incorporated as a town in 1778, during the American Revolution, taking the name of Benjamin Franklin.
In 1790, Benjamin Franklin donated 116 books to the town in place of a bell he had been asked for, forming the basis of what is considered the oldest public library in the United States.
Franklin is the birthplace of Horace Mann, an education reformer known as the father of the American public school system.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Franklin
Franklin's brooks feed the Charles River watershed, and town and state conservation land, including DelCarte and Franklin State Forest, gives residents trails close to the town center.
- Ernest DelCarte Recreation and Conservation AreaTrails and a pond used for swimming and passive recreation.
- Franklin State ForestState forest trails within town limits.
- Franklin Town ForestsTown-owned forest land with additional trail access.
Walkability and getting around Franklin
Franklin's downtown around Main Street and East Central Street has sidewalks and a walkable business strip, but most of the town's residential areas are spread out and built for driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 30 miles45-60 min
- Logan International Airport, about 35 miles55-70 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
MBTA Commuter Rail's Franklin/Foxboro Line stops at Franklin station and Forge Park/495, both in town. GATRA provides demand-responsive transit service in the area.
Franklin property taxes
Franklin's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.42 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,142 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $8,353, on an average assessed value of $731,396.
Franklin's FY2026 tax rates
$11.42per $1,000, residential
- Residential$11.42 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$731,396
- Average single-family tax bill$8,353
- 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 | $14.05 |
| FY2023 | $12.58 |
| FY2024 | $11.79 |
| FY2025 | $11.62 |
| FY2026 | $11.42 |
Look up a Franklin property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-520-4920
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Franklin
What we check on a Franklin purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic & wells, smoke/co certificate.
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
Several brooks that feed the Charles River, including Mine, Shepard's, Miller, Uncas, Dix and Miscoe brooks, cross Franklin, and low-lying parcels along them can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for FranklinSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Franklin Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-528-2323 to schedule.
Franklin Fire Department pageSome parcels rely on private wells and septic
Franklin's town sewer and water cover developed areas, but some outlying parcels use private wells and septic systems, which require a Title 5 inspection through the Board of Health before a sale can close.
Fire department inspection before closing
Massachusetts law requires a smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. Sellers in Franklin schedule this through the Franklin Fire Department.
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 Franklin?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Franklin address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Franklin: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Franklin.
- WaterFranklin Department of Public Works (town water)
- Sewer or septicTown sewer service in developed areas; outlying parcels may use septic.
- Trash and recyclingFranklin's DPW provides curbside trash and recycling collection on a published schedule. The town also runs the Beaver Street Recycling Center as a transfer/drop-off site, open limited hours Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (seasonal), which accepts yard waste, grass clippings and leaves year-round.
- 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
Beaver Street Recycling Center
Beaver St, Franklin, MA Friday-Saturday 8 AM-3 PM, Tuesday 12 PM-3 PM, Sunday 9 AM-1 PM (April-November)
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Franklin Town Hall is at 355 East Central St, Franklin, MA 02038. Main line: 508-520-4949.
- Town HallMain line and website508-520-4949
- Town ClerkVital records and elections.508-520-4900
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.508-520-4920
- Franklin Fire DepartmentFire suppression, EMS and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.508-528-2323
- Board of HealthEnvironmental health, Title 5 septic inspections and food safety.508-520-4905
- Department of Public WorksTrash/recycling, water/sewer, roads and infrastructure.508-553-5500
- Franklin Public LibraryThe town's public library, considered the nation's oldest.
- Franklin Public SchoolsThe town's public school district.
Franklin, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Franklin, MA?
Franklin's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.42 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 Franklin?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,568 a year at $11.42 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Franklin have a split tax rate?
No. Franklin uses a single rate of $11.42 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Franklin?
The average single-family tax bill in Franklin was $8,353 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $731,396.
What county is Franklin, MA in?
Franklin is in Norfolk County.
What ZIP code does Franklin use?
Franklin uses a single ZIP code, 02038, for the whole town.
Is trash pickup curbside in Franklin?
Yes. The DPW provides curbside trash and recycling collection, and the town also runs the Beaver Street Recycling Center as a drop-off site.
Is there a commuter rail station in Franklin?
Yes. The Franklin/Foxboro Line stops at Franklin station and Forge Park/495, both within town.
Which towns border Franklin?
Franklin borders Medway, Norfolk, Bellingham and Wrentham.
Towns near Franklin
Neighbors of Franklin, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Franklin, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Franklin official website: franklinma.gov
- Town Departments - Town of Franklin: franklinma.gov
- Department of Public Works (DPW) - Town of Franklin: franklinma.gov
- Franklin, MA contact directory: franklinma.gov
- Main Street, Franklin MA 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.