First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Hampshire County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Goshen, Massachusetts
Goshen is a small rural town in the Hilltowns of Hampshire County, set off from Chesterfield and incorporated in 1781. The town has a rural atmosphere with one general store, a post office, a fire station, a library and a town hall, and it contains both the Upper and Lower Highland Lakes, with Upper Highland Lake part of D.A.R. State Forest.
Goshen at a glance
- $13.50Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,062Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 45-55 minDrive to Springfield
- HampshireCounty
Goshen's zip code
Goshen uses ZIP code 01032; some addresses near the Williamsburg line use the 01096 ZIP code.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Goshen center | 01032 | Along Main Street, where the John James Memorial Town Hall (42 Main Street) and Town Offices (40 Main Street) are located. |
Things to do in Goshen, MA
Start with D.A.R. State Forest and Lower Highland Lake.
D.A.R. State Forest
A state forest containing Upper Highland Lake, used for swimming, boating, camping and hiking trails.
Goshen, MA
Lower Highland Lake
A lake privately held by a homeowners' association for families with year-round and summer properties on the shore.
Goshen, MA
A little history
Goshen was first settled in 1761 and was part of Chesterfield until it was incorporated as its own town on May 14, 1781.
Colorless beryl was first discovered in Goshen, leading the gem industry to name the mineral goshenite after the town.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Goshen
Goshen's two Highland Lakes and D.A.R. State Forest give the small town most of its outdoor recreation.
- D.A.R. State ForestState forest land around Upper Highland Lake with swimming, boating, camping and trails.
- Upper Highland LakeA lake within D.A.R. State Forest, open to the public for swimming and non-motorized boating.
- Lower Highland LakeA privately held lake for homeowners with property on its shore.
Walkability and getting around Goshen
Goshen center has a general store, post office and library within walking distance of each other, but the rest of the small town is rural and built for driving.
Drive times
- Springfield, about 30 miles45-55 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 50 miles65-75 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Goshen has no fixed-route PVTA bus service and no passenger rail station. Springfield, the nearest city, is about 30 miles southeast.
Goshen property taxes
Goshen's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,350 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,062, on an average assessed value of $374,953.
Goshen's FY2026 tax rates
$13.50per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.50 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$374,953
- Average single-family tax bill$5,062
- 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 | $16.13 |
| FY2023 | $14.79 |
| FY2024 | $14.74 |
| FY2025 | $13.99 |
| FY2026 | $13.50 |
Look up a Goshen property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Goshen
What we check on a Goshen purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, well & septic, lake association, smoke certificate.
Check the flood zone first
Flood zones are set address by address. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for GoshenSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Goshen Fire Department before the sale closes.
Most homes use private wells and septic
Goshen has no townwide public water or sewer system found; homes typically rely on private wells and septic systems. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before most home sales, arranged through the Board of Health.
Lower Highland Lake is privately held
Lower Highland Lake is held by a homeowners' association for properties on its shore, which may carry association rules or dues separate from the town. Buyers near the lake should ask about association membership.
Smoke and CO certificate needed before closing
Massachusetts sellers need a smoke and carbon monoxide detector certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close.
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 Goshen?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Goshen address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Goshen: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Goshen.
- Natural gasNo natural gas service
- WaterMostly private wells; no townwide public water system found
- Sewer or septicMost of the town relies on private septic systems.
- Trash and recyclingGoshen residents use the town Transfer Station for trash and recycling disposal; the Board of Health sets current fees and rules.
- 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
Goshen Transfer Station
40 Main Street, Goshen, MA 01032
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Goshen Town Hall is at 42 Main Street, Goshen, MA 01032. Main line: 413-268-8236.
- Town HallMain line and website413-268-8236
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and town records.413-268-8236 ext 107
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Board of HealthSeptic (Title 5) and well permitting; sets transfer station fees.413-268-8404
- Fire DepartmentFire, rescue and smoke/CO certificate inspections for home sales.
- Transfer StationTrash and recycling drop-off for residents.
- John James Memorial LibraryThe town's public library.
- Hampshire Regional School DistrictThe town's regional public school district.
Goshen, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Goshen, MA?
Goshen's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.50 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 Goshen?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,400 a year at $13.50 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Goshen have a split tax rate?
No. Goshen uses a single rate of $13.50 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Goshen?
The average single-family tax bill in Goshen was $5,062 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $374,953.
Is trash pickup curbside in Goshen?
Goshen residents bring trash and recycling to the town Transfer Station rather than curbside pickup; the Board of Health sets current fees.
Who supplies electricity in Goshen?
Eversource is the electric utility serving Goshen.
What ZIP code does Goshen use?
Goshen uses ZIP code 01032.
How far is Goshen from Springfield?
Goshen is about 30 miles from Springfield, roughly a 45-55 minute drive.
Which towns border Goshen?
Goshen borders Chesterfield, Cummington, Ashfield, Conway and Williamsburg, all in Massachusetts.
Does Goshen have any lakes?
Yes. Goshen contains Upper Highland Lake, part of D.A.R. State Forest and open to the public, and Lower Highland Lake, which is privately held by a homeowners' association.
Towns near Goshen
Neighbors of Goshen, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Goshen, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Goshen, MA - official website: goshen-ma.us
- Town Clerk - Town of Goshen, MA: goshen-ma.us
- Transfer Station - Refuse Disposal Hours & Fees Information - Town of Goshen, MA: goshen-ma.us
- Ashfield, Massachusetts - Wikipedia (bordering towns): en.wikipedia.org
- Conway, Massachusetts - Wikipedia (bordering towns): en.wikipedia.org
- John James Memorial Library 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.