Cuttyhunk
28 Tower Hill Road, Cuttyhunk Island, MA 02713
Living in Gosnold, Massachusetts
Most of the town's year-round life is on Cuttyhunk, the outermost island, which was first visited by English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold in 1602 and became the town's namesake when Gosnold was set off from Chilmark and incorporated in 1864. The rest of the chain, including Naushon and Penikese, is largely privately owned or used for research and education.
Gosnold at a glance
- $3.16Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $3,415Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 60 (ferry) minDrive to New Bedford (via ferry)
- DukesCounty
Gosnold's zip code
Gosnold's year-round village, Cuttyhunk, uses ZIP code 02713. Naushon and some other Gosnold-owned islands nearer the mainland use the Woods Hole ZIP code, 02543.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Cuttyhunk | 02713 | The town's only year-round village, on Cuttyhunk Island at the outer end of the Elizabeth Islands, built around a natural harbor with Town Hall, the library, school building and a handful of shops. |
Things to do in Gosnold, MA
Start with Lookout Hill and Cuttyhunk Historical Society / Museum of the Elizabeth Islands, then 2 more below.
Lookout Hill
At 154 feet, the highest point on Cuttyhunk, topped by former U.S. Coast Guard bunkers built in 1941 to watch for submarines; the bunkers, inactive since 1964, are now picnic spots with views over the island and surrounding water.
Cuttyhunk Island, MA
Cuttyhunk Historical Society / Museum of the Elizabeth Islands
A small local history museum on Cuttyhunk covering the island's fishing, farming and Coast Guard history.
Cuttyhunk Island, MA
Plan a visitBartholomew Gosnold Monument
A monument on a small island in West End Pond marking the site of English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold's short-lived 1602 fort and sassafras-trading outpost, one of the earliest English footholds in New England.
West End Pond, Cuttyhunk Island, MA
Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms
An oyster farm on Cuttyhunk's West End Pond that also operates a seasonal raw bar and grille on the island.
Cuttyhunk Island, MA
More worth a visit
- Cuttyhunk Corner StoreA gift shop at the island's Four Corners intersection.
- Cuttyhunk fishing chartersCuttyhunk has long been a base for striped bass fishing guides working the reefs offshore, including Sow and Pigs Reef.
A little history
English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold and his crew built a small fort on Cuttyhunk in 1602 to harvest sassafras, an early and short-lived English foothold in New England, more than a decade before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth.
The town of Gosnold, comprising Cuttyhunk and the rest of the Elizabeth Islands, was set off from Chilmark and incorporated on March 17, 1864.
In 1976, WTG Energy Systems erected an experimental 200-kilowatt wind turbine on Cuttyhunk to supply part of the island's electricity, an early trial of wind power in New England.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Gosnold
Outdoor life on Cuttyhunk centers on its harbor, its rocky shoreline beaches and Lookout Hill, with roughly half the island set aside as nature preserve.
- Lookout HillThe island's high point at 154 feet, with trails and views from the former Coast Guard lookout.
- Church's BeachA sandy stretch connecting the Copicut Neck peninsula to the main body of the island.
- Barges BeachA beach near the sunken barges that connect the Canapitsit peninsula to the island.
Where to eat in Gosnold: restaurants and coffee
3 places in Gosnold to try, including seafood restaurant and pizzeria. No one paid to be listed.
Cuttyhunk Raw Bar
Seafood restaurant
A seasonal raw bar on Cuttyhunk operated by Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms, serving oysters and other shellfish from its own West End Pond farm.
Cuttyhunk Island, MA 02713
Soprano's Pizza
Pizzeria
A seasonal sit-down pizzeria on Cuttyhunk.
Cuttyhunk Island, MA 02713
Cuttyhunk General Store
General store
The island's general store, selling snacks, ice cream and provisions.
Cuttyhunk Island, MA 02713
Walkability and getting around Gosnold
Cuttyhunk's village is compact and walkable, with the harbor, Town Hall, library and shops all within a short walk at Four Corners; there are no cars for rent on the island, and most visitors and residents get around on foot or by golf cart.
Drive times
- New Bedford (via ferry), about 14 miles60 (ferry) min
- New Bedford Regional Airport, about 15 miles75 (ferry plus drive) min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
There is no fixed-route bus or train service in Gosnold. The Cuttyhunk Ferry Company runs passenger and freight service between New Bedford's State Pier and Cuttyhunk, daily in summer and on a reduced Monday/Friday schedule in the off-season; the crossing takes about an hour. Naushon Island is served separately by a private ferry from Woods Hole.
Gosnold property taxes
Gosnold's FY2026 residential tax rate is $3.16 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $316 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $3,415, on an average assessed value of $1,080,742.
Gosnold's FY2026 tax rates
$3.16per $1,000, residential
- Residential$3.16 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,080,742
- Average single-family tax bill$3,415
- 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 | $3.02 |
| FY2023 | $3.27 |
| FY2024 | $3.21 |
| FY2025 | $3.17 |
| FY2026 | $3.16 |
Look up a Gosnold property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-990-7408
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Gosnold
What we check on a Gosnold purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, municipal electric utility, island access, smoke & co certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Dukes County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Cuttyhunk's harbor village and its low, rocky shoreline beaches sit close to sea level, and coastal parcels around the harbor and West End Pond fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for GosnoldSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Gosnold Fire & 1st Aid before the sale closes. Call 508-990-7408 to schedule.
Gosnold Fire & 1st Aid pageGosnold runs its own electric utility
Cuttyhunk's electricity is generated and distributed by the Town of Gosnold's own Electric Light Department rather than an investor-owned utility, a setup similar to a few other small Massachusetts towns.
Cuttyhunk is reachable only by boat
Gosnold has no bridge or scheduled air service. Year-round access to Cuttyhunk depends on the Cuttyhunk Ferry Company's boat from New Bedford, which runs a reduced schedule in the off-season, a practical consideration for financing, insuring and maintaining property here.
Cuttyhunk Ferry Company scheduleMassachusetts 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.
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 Gosnold?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Gosnold address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Gosnold: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Gosnold: Town of Gosnold Electric Light Department, a municipal utility that generates and distributes power on Cuttyhunk for power.
- ElectricTown of Gosnold Electric Light Department, a municipal utility that generates and distributes power on Cuttyhunk
- Natural gasNo natural gas service
- WaterTown of Gosnold Water Department, a public water system on Cuttyhunk
- Trash and recyclingCuttyhunk has curbside trash and recycling collection using Town of Gosnold green trash bags, sold at Town Hall; collection is weekly in winter and spring and twice weekly (three times on the Neck) in summer. A seasonal trash pen operating in July and August also takes bulk items.
- 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
Gosnold Town Hall is at 28 Tower Hill Road, Cuttyhunk Island, MA 02713. Main line: 508-990-7408.
- Town HallMain line and website508-990-7408
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.508-990-7408
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.508-990-7408
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.508-990-7408
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.508-990-7408
- Electric DepartmentThe town's municipal electric utility, based at the Cuttyhunk power house.508-996-2989
- Highway DepartmentRoads and highway maintenance.508-990-7408
- Gosnold LibraryThe town's public library, on Cuttyhunk.508-990-7408
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, wells and permits508-990-7408
Gosnold, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Gosnold, MA?
Gosnold's FY2026 residential tax rate is $3.16 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 Gosnold?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $1,264 a year at $3.16 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Gosnold have a split tax rate?
No. Gosnold uses a single rate of $3.16 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Gosnold?
The average single-family tax bill in Gosnold was $3,415 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,080,742.
What ZIP code does Cuttyhunk use?
Cuttyhunk, Gosnold's year-round village, uses ZIP code 02713.
Is trash pickup curbside in Gosnold?
Yes. Cuttyhunk has curbside collection using Town of Gosnold green trash bags, sold at Town Hall, with more frequent pickup in summer.
Who supplies electricity in Gosnold?
The Town of Gosnold's own Electric Light Department generates and distributes power on Cuttyhunk; there is no natural gas service.
Is there public transit to Gosnold?
No bus or train service reaches Gosnold. The Cuttyhunk Ferry Company runs boats between New Bedford and Cuttyhunk, daily in summer and Monday/Friday only in the off-season.
How far is Cuttyhunk from New Bedford?
The Cuttyhunk Ferry Company's crossing from New Bedford's State Pier to Cuttyhunk takes about an hour.
Towns near Gosnold
Neighbors of Gosnold, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Gosnold, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Cuttyhunk Island - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Gosnold official website: gosnold-ma.gov
- Departments - Town of Gosnold: gosnold-ma.gov
- Staff Directory - Town of Gosnold: gosnold-ma.gov
- Trash & Recycling - Town of Gosnold: gosnold-ma.gov
- Schedule - Cuttyhunk Ferry Company: cuttyhunkferryco.com
- A Local's Guide to Dining & Shopping - Cuttyhunk Island: gocuttyhunk.com
- Gosnold Town Hall 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.