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 loansLiving in Gardner, Massachusetts
Gardner is a city in Worcester County known as "The Chair City" for the furniture factories that once dominated its economy — by 1910 about twenty chair factories here made an estimated four million chairs a year. The city sits in the hills of north central Massachusetts along Route 2, with Dunn State Park and Crystal Lake providing the main open space close to downtown.
Gardner at a glance
- $13.77Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,052Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 35–45 minDrive to Worcester
- WorcesterCounty
Gardner's zip code
Gardner uses one zip code, 01440, for the whole city.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Gardner | 01440 | The entire city is served by a single zip code; downtown centers on City Hall at 95 Pleasant Street. |
Things to do in Gardner, MA
Start with Dunn State Park and Downtown Gardner / Parker Street, then 1 more below.
Dunn State Park
A roughly 200-acre state park built around Dunn Pond, with a loop trail, a wheelchair-accessible Woodland Trail, picnic areas and swimming and fishing access. It's the closest state park to downtown Gardner.
289 Pearl St, Gardner, MA 01440
Plan a visitDowntown Gardner / Parker Street
Gardner's commercial center along Main and Parker streets holds City Hall, the Blue Moon Diner and the Gardner Ale House brewpub, and hosts the city's street festivals.
Main St & Parker St, Gardner, MA 01440
Plan a visitLevi Heywood Memorial Library
Gardner's public library, named for the founder of the Heywood-Wakefield furniture company that built the city's chair-making industry starting in 1826.
55 W Lynde St, Gardner, MA 01440
Plan a visit
More worth a visit
- Mount Wachusett Community CollegeA public community college campus on the edge of the city, with public lectures, athletic facilities and events.Website
Around the calendar
- JuneFood Truck FestivalAn annual food truck gathering held at the foot of City Hall.
- SeptemberFabulous Fall FestivalA family street festival that closes Downtown Gardner to traffic for vendor tents, crafters and entertainment.
- FallExperience Gardner Festival & Sidewalk SaleA two-day downtown street fair with community exhibits, performances and a sidewalk sale, held annually since the 1940s.
A little history
European settlement began in 1764; the town was incorporated in 1785 and named for Colonel Thomas Gardner, a Revolutionary War officer.
Furniture manufacturing built the city's economy after Heywood-Wakefield Company was founded in 1826; by 1910 Gardner's roughly twenty chair factories produced an estimated four million chairs a year, earning it the nickname "The Chair City."
Gardner is the birthplace of the practical time clock, invented in 1894 by Edward G. Watkins.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Gardner
Most of Gardner's outdoor recreation centers on Dunn State Park and Crystal Lake, both a short drive or walk from downtown.
- Dunn State ParkTrails, a pond beach, fishing and picnicking on the edge of the city.More information
- Crystal LakeA lake within the city limits near Dunn State Park.
Where to eat in Gardner: restaurants and coffee
2 places in Gardner to try, including diner and brewpub. No one paid to be listed.
Blue Moon Diner
Diner
A 1949 barrel-roofed diner built by the Worcester Lunch Car Company and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, serving breakfast and lunch.
102 Main St, Gardner, MA 01440
Gardner Ale House
Brewpub
A brewery and restaurant on Parker Street in downtown Gardner.
74 Parker St, Gardner, MA 01440
Walkability and getting around Gardner
Downtown Gardner around Main and Parker streets is walkable for errands and dining, but most residential neighborhoods and the commercial strip along Timpany Boulevard require a car.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 27 miles35–45 min
- Worcester Regional Airport, about 30 miles40–50 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) runs fixed local bus routes through Gardner, including Route 1, Route 3 and a Gardner–Westminster route, plus regional weekday routes. There is no passenger rail station in Gardner; MBTA commuter rail service to Boston ended here in 1987, and MART now provides van service connecting to the Wachusett Line terminus.
Gardner property taxes
Gardner's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.77 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,377 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,052, on an average assessed value of $366,888.
Gardner's FY2026 tax rates
$13.77per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.77 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$366,888
- Average single-family tax bill$5,052
- 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 | $18.59 |
| FY2023 | $16.13 |
| FY2024 | $14.99 |
| FY2025 | $14.36 |
| FY2026 | $13.77 |
Look up a Gardner property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- City ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Gardner
What we check on a Gardner purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke certificate, pay-as-you-throw.
Check the flood zone first
Dunn Pond, Crystal Lake and the streams draining toward the Millers and Otter rivers put some low-lying parcels near these water bodies in FEMA flood zones; check the FEMA flood map for a specific address before making an offer. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for GardnerSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Gardner Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-630-4051 to schedule.
Gardner Fire Department pageFire Department inspection before closing
Massachusetts requires a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector and smoke-certificate inspection from the local fire department before a home sale can close. In Gardner this is handled by the Fire Department.
Gardner Fire DepartmentTrash billing and PAYT bags
Gardner bills curbside trash and recycling quarterly with the water and sewer bill, and any trash beyond the toter needs a yellow Pay-As-You-Throw bag purchased separately.
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 Gardner?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Gardner address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Gardner: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Gardner: National Grid delivers electricity; the city runs a Community Choice Power Supply Program that sets the supply portion of the bill (First Point Power was the supplier selected for November 2025–November 2028), while National Grid continues delivery and billing. for power.
- ElectricNational Grid delivers electricity; the city runs a Community Choice Power Supply Program that sets the supply portion of the bill (First Point Power was the supplier selected for November 2025–November 2028), while National Grid continues delivery and billing.
- WaterCity of Gardner Water/Sewer Department, which owns and operates the water and sewer systems and subcontracts treatment plant operations to Veolia
- Sewer or septicCity sewer service in developed areas, operated by the Gardner Water/Sewer Department
- Trash and recyclingParticipating households receive a city-issued trash toter and recycling toter and are billed quarterly on the water, sewer and trash bill. Extra trash beyond the toter goes out in yellow Gardner Pay-As-You-Throw bags, sold in rolls of 10 for $35 or individually for $3.50 at City Hall or area grocery stores.
- 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
Gardner Transfer Station / Landfill
744 West St, Gardner, MA
Transfer station detailsCity Hall offices and contacts
Gardner City Hall is at 95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Hours: Monday–Thursday 8am–4:30pm, Friday 8am–1pm. Main line: 978-632-1900.
- City HallMain line and website978-632-1900
- City ClerkVital records, elections and licensing978-632-1900
- AssessorProperty values and assessments
- Tax Collector / TreasurerProperty tax and utility bill payments978-632-1900
- Building / Inspectional ServicesPermits and inspections
- Board of HealthSeptic, well and health permitting978-630-4013
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention, inspections and smoke-certificate inspections before a home sale978-630-4051
- Public Works / Water-Sewer DepartmentWater, sewer, streets and utility billing978-630-8195
- Parks and RecreationParks, playgrounds and recreation programs
- Levi Heywood Memorial LibraryPublic library
- Gardner Public SchoolsSchool district
Gardner, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Gardner, MA?
Gardner's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.77 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 Gardner?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,508 a year at $13.77 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Gardner have a split tax rate?
No. Gardner uses a single rate of $13.77 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Gardner?
The average single-family tax bill in Gardner was $5,052 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $366,888.
Is trash pickup curbside in Gardner?
Yes. The city issues a trash toter and recycling toter to each participating household and bills quarterly; extra trash requires a yellow Pay-As-You-Throw bag.
Who supplies electricity in Gardner?
National Grid delivers electricity to homes and businesses; the city's Community Choice Power Supply Program sets the supply rate through a chosen supplier while National Grid continues to bill and deliver.
What zip code is Gardner, MA?
01440, for the entire city.
Is there public transit in Gardner?
Yes. The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) runs local fixed bus routes through the city; there is no passenger rail station.
How far is Gardner from Worcester?
About 27 miles, roughly a 35–45 minute drive.
Towns near Gardner
Neighbors of Gardner, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Gardner, Massachusetts: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Gardner official website: gardner-ma.gov
- Gardner Curbside Trash & Recycling Program: gardner-ma.gov
- Gardner Fire Department: gardner-ma.gov
- Gardner Board of Health: gardner-ma.gov
- Gardner Water/Sewer Department: gardner-ma.gov
- Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART): mrta.us
- Dunn State Park, Mass.gov: mass.gov
- Blue Moon Diner, Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Gardner City Energy Supplier Program: gardner-ma.gov
- 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.
- Checked September 25, 2026.