Georgetown center
1 Library Street, Georgetown, MA 01833
Living in Georgetown, Massachusetts
Georgetown is a town in Essex County, about 28 miles north of Boston, on the edge of the region's coastal plain and hill country. The town includes Rock Pond and Pentucket Pond and shares protected forest land with several neighboring towns.
Georgetown at a glance
- $13.76Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $10,314Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Haverhill
- EssexCounty
Georgetown's zip code
Georgetown uses the 01833 zip code.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Georgetown center | 01833 | Around Library Street and East Main Street, where Town Hall and the Georgetown Peabody Library are located. |
Things to do in Georgetown, MA
Start with Georgetown Peabody Library and First Congregational Church, then 2 more below.
Georgetown Peabody Library
The town's public library, part of the Library Street civic cluster near Town Hall.
2 Maple Street, Georgetown, MA
First Congregational Church
A historic church building designed by the architecture firm Peabody & Stearns.
Georgetown, MA
Georgetown-Rowley State Forest
A state forest shared with neighboring Rowley, with trails through woodland and wetland habitat.
Georgetown, MA
Erie 4 Fire Company
Described as the oldest privately owned volunteer fire company in the United States, a piece of the town's civic history.
Georgetown, MA
A little history
The area was settled in 1639 as part of Rowley, and its western parishes became known locally as 'New Rowley.'
Novelist John Updike lived in Georgetown from 1976 to 1982; his 1981 novel Rabbit Is Rich, written during that period, won the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Georgetown
Georgetown's outdoor recreation centers on Rock Pond, Pentucket Pond, and shared state forest and wildlife-management land on the town's edges.
- Georgetown-Rowley State ForestTrails through woodland shared with neighboring Rowley.
- Crane Pond Wildlife Management AreaA state-managed wetland and wildlife area near town.
- Rock Pond and Pentucket Pond
Walkability and getting around Georgetown
Georgetown center along Library Street and East Main Street has sidewalks connecting Town Hall, the library, and nearby businesses, but most of the town is built around driving.
Drive times
- Haverhill, about 8 miles15-20 min
- Logan International Airport, about 30 miles40-50 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Interstate 95 crosses the eastern part of Georgetown, and Massachusetts Routes 133 and 97 pass through town. Georgetown has no MBTA Commuter Rail station of its own; the nearest station is in neighboring Rowley.
Georgetown property taxes
Georgetown's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.76 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,376 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $10,314, on an average assessed value of $749,549.
Georgetown's FY2026 tax rates
$13.76per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.76 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$749,549
- Average single-family tax bill$10,314
- 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 | $14.08 |
| FY2023 | $12.98 |
| FY2024 | $12.55 |
| FY2025 | $11.06 |
| FY2026 | $13.76 |
Look up a Georgetown property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-352-5708
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Georgetown
What we check on a Georgetown purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, municipal electric utility.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Essex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Flood zones are set address by address. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for GeorgetownSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Georgetown Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-352-5757 to schedule.
Georgetown Fire Department pageMassachusetts 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 home sale can close. The Georgetown Fire Department handles these inspections.
Georgetown Fire DepartmentGeorgetown runs its own electric utility
Georgetown is served by the Georgetown Municipal Light Department rather than an investor-owned utility, which can mean different rates, outage contacts, and hookup procedures than nearby towns served by National Grid or Eversource.
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 Georgetown?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Georgetown address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Georgetown: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Georgetown: Georgetown Municipal Light Department for power.
- ElectricGeorgetown Municipal Light Department
- WaterGeorgetown Water Department
- 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
Georgetown Town Hall is at 1 Library Street, Georgetown, MA 01833. Hours: Mon-Thu 8:00am-4:00pm. Main line: 978-352-5710.
- Town HallMain line and website978-352-5710
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.978-352-5711
- Assessor's OfficeProperty values and assessments.978-352-5708
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-352-5723
- Building InspectorBuilding permits and inspections.978-352-5736
- Planning DepartmentZoning, land use, and planning applications.978-352-5713
- Parks & RecreationTown parks and recreation programs.978-352-6851
- Highway DepartmentRoads and public works.978-352-5704
- Georgetown Municipal Light DepartmentThe town's municipal electric utility.978-352-5730
- Georgetown Peabody LibraryThe town's public library.
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, wells and permits978-352-5720
Georgetown, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Georgetown, MA?
Georgetown's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.76 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 Georgetown?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,504 a year at $13.76 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Georgetown have a split tax rate?
No. Georgetown uses a single rate of $13.76 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Georgetown?
The average single-family tax bill in Georgetown was $10,314 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $749,549.
Who supplies electricity in Georgetown?
The Georgetown Municipal Light Department, the town's own municipal electric utility, supplies power rather than an investor-owned utility.
What ZIP code does Georgetown use?
Georgetown's ZIP code is 01833.
Is there commuter rail service in Georgetown?
Georgetown has no MBTA Commuter Rail station of its own; the nearest station is in neighboring Rowley.
How far is Georgetown from Boston?
Georgetown is about 28 miles north of Boston.
Towns near Georgetown
Neighbors of Georgetown, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Georgetown, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Georgetown official website: georgetownma.gov
- Georgetown, MA departments directory: georgetownma.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.