Great Barrington center
334 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Living in Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Great Barrington sits in the Housatonic River valley in southern Berkshire County, with the villages of Housatonic and Van Deusenville along the river north of the town center. Settled in 1726 and incorporated in 1761, it became a summer resort town in the 19th century and is now known for its Main Street shops and restaurants, Ski Butternut on East Mountain, and Monument Mountain to the north.
Great Barrington at a glance
- $13.24Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $8,444Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 30-35 minDrive to Pittsfield
- BerkshireCounty
Great Barrington's villages and zip codes
Great Barrington uses ZIP code 01230; the village of Housatonic uses 01236.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Great Barrington center | 01230 | The downtown along Main Street (Route 7), where Town Hall, Mason Library and most shops and restaurants are located. |
| Housatonic | 01236 | A former mill village along the Housatonic River in the northern part of town, with its own branch library. |
| Van Deusenville | 01230 | A small village north of the town center along the Housatonic River. |
Things to do in Great Barrington, MA
Start with Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center and Ski Butternut, then 2 more below.
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
A restored 1905 theater on Main Street hosting concerts, film, dance and theater year-round.
14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA
Plan a visitSki Butternut
A downhill ski resort on East Mountain with trails, lifts and a terrain park in winter.
380 State Road, Great Barrington, MA
Plan a visitMonument Mountain Reservation
A Trustees of Reservations property with hiking trails to quartzite cliffs and views over the Housatonic valley.
Route 7, Great Barrington, MA
Plan a visitGreat Barrington Fairgrounds
Fairgrounds in the southwest part of town, home to the annual Great Barrington Fair.
40 Fairground Street, Great Barrington, MA
More worth a visit
- Guthrie CenterA community center in the former Old Trinity Church on Van Deusenville Road, tied to the events behind Arlo Guthrie's song "Alice's Restaurant."Website
A little history
First settled by colonists in 1726 as the north parish of Sheffield, the area was incorporated as Great Barrington in 1761, named for a village in Gloucestershire, England.
In March 1886, engineer William Stanley Jr. gave the world's first practical demonstration of an alternating-current transformer system in Great Barrington.
An F4 tornado struck Great Barrington on May 29, 1995, causing significant damage.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Great Barrington
The Housatonic River valley, East Mountain and Monument Mountain give Great Barrington river access, downhill skiing and ridge-top hiking.
- Monument Mountain ReservationTrails to quartzite summit cliffs with views over the Housatonic valley, maintained by The Trustees of Reservations.More information
- Ski ButternutDownhill skiing and snowboarding on East Mountain in winter.More information
- Housatonic RiverThe Housatonic, Williams and Green Rivers run through town, used for fishing and paddling.
- East Mountain State ForestState forest land on East Mountain where the Appalachian Trail crosses the southeast corner of town.
Walkability and getting around Great Barrington
Downtown Great Barrington's Main Street has sidewalks connecting shops, restaurants and the Mahaiwe Theater, but the village of Housatonic and outlying areas of town are built for driving.
Drive times
- Pittsfield, about 20 miles30-35 min
- Albany International Airport, about 50 miles60-70 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) provides local bus service in Great Barrington, and Peter Pan and Greyhound buses stop in town for longer-distance travel. The Housatonic Railroad freight line runs through town roughly along Route 7 and the river; there is no passenger rail station.
Great Barrington property taxes
Great Barrington's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.24 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,324 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $8,444, on an average assessed value of $637,735.
Great Barrington's FY2026 tax rates
$13.24per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.24 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$637,735
- Average single-family tax bill$8,444
- 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 | $14.86 |
| FY2023 | $14.07 |
| FY2024 | $13.89 |
| FY2025 | $13.79 |
| FY2026 | $13.24 |
Look up a Great Barrington property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-528-1619, press 2 then 3
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Great Barrington
What we check on a Great Barrington purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, village water districts, smoke certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Berkshire County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
The Housatonic, Williams and Green Rivers converge in Great Barrington, putting low-lying parcels near their banks, particularly in Housatonic and Van Deusenville, in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for Great BarringtonSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Great Barrington Fire Department before the sale closes.
Water service can vary by village
Water service in Great Barrington is provided through fire district systems that differ by area, and some outlying parcels rely on private wells. Buyers should confirm which system, if any, serves a specific property.
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. In Great Barrington, that inspection is scheduled through the 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 Great Barrington?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Great Barrington address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Great Barrington: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Great Barrington: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasBerkshire Gas Company serves parts of town; some areas have no natural gas service
- WaterTown of Great Barrington Fire District and private wells serve different parts of town
- Sewer or septicTown of Great Barrington provides municipal sewer service in developed areas; outlying parcels may rely on septic systems.
- Trash and recyclingGreat Barrington operates a transfer station on Stockbridge Road; check with the Department of Public Works for current curbside collection options in your area.
- 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
Great Barrington Transfer Station
601 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Great Barrington Town Hall is at 334 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Main line: 413-528-1619.
- Town HallMain line and website413-528-1619
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and licensing.413-528-1619 ext. 2
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.413-528-1619, press 2 then 3
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.413-528-1619, press 2 then 2
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.413-528-1619, press 2 then 6
- Fire DepartmentFire, rescue and smoke/CO certificate inspections for home sales.413-528-0788
- Health DepartmentSeptic (Title 5) and well permitting.413-528-1619, 2, 7
- Department of Public WorksRoads, water, sewer and transfer station.413-528-0867 ext. 1
- Mason LibraryThe town's main public library, on Main Street.413-528-2403
- Ramsdell LibraryThe branch library in the village of Housatonic.413-528-2403
- Berkshire Hills Regional School DistrictThe public school district covering Great Barrington, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge.
Great Barrington, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Great Barrington, MA?
Great Barrington's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.24 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 Great Barrington?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,296 a year at $13.24 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Great Barrington have a split tax rate?
No. Great Barrington uses a single rate of $13.24 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Great Barrington?
The average single-family tax bill in Great Barrington was $8,444 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $637,735.
Who supplies electricity in Great Barrington?
Eversource is the electric utility serving Great Barrington.
What ZIP codes does Great Barrington use?
Great Barrington uses 01230; the village of Housatonic uses 01236.
How far is Great Barrington from Pittsfield?
Great Barrington is about 20 miles from Pittsfield, roughly a 30-35 minute drive.
Is there bus service in Great Barrington?
Yes. The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority provides local buses, and Peter Pan and Greyhound stop in town for longer-distance travel.
Does Great Barrington have a transfer station?
Yes, at 601 Stockbridge Road; contact the Department of Public Works for current trash and recycling options.
Which towns border Great Barrington?
Great Barrington borders West Stockbridge, Stockbridge, Lee, Tyringham, Monterey, New Marlborough, Sheffield, Egremont and Alford, all in Massachusetts.
Towns near Great Barrington
Neighbors of Great Barrington, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Great Barrington, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Great Barrington, MA - official website: townofgbma.gov
- Transfer Station - Town of Great Barrington directory: townofgbma.gov
- Fire Department - Town of Great Barrington directory: townofgbma.gov
- Assessor - Town of Great Barrington directory: townofgbma.gov
- Town Clerk - Town of Great Barrington directory: townofgbma.gov
- Library - Town of Great Barrington directory: townofgbma.gov
- Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center: mahaiwe.org
- Monument Mountain Reservation - The Trustees: thetrustees.org
- Great Barrington downtown 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: Anc516, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.