Halifax center
499 Plymouth Street, Halifax, MA 02338
Living in Halifax, Massachusetts
Halifax is a town in Plymouth County about 33 miles south-southeast of Boston and 12 miles west of Plymouth. First settled by English colonists including the Bosworth family in 1669 and incorporated in 1734, the town was named after Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. Its landscape is dominated by water: the town sits on the western shore of Silver Lake and contains the East and West Monponsett Ponds, separated in places by a strip of land barely 150 feet wide.
Halifax at a glance
- $14.08Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $7,493Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-25 minDrive to Plymouth
- PlymouthCounty
Halifax's zip code
Halifax uses a single ZIP code, 02338, for the entire town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax center | 02338 | Along Plymouth Street (Routes 58/106), where Town Hall, the fire station, and Holmes Public Library are located. |
Things to do in Halifax, MA
Start with Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area and Monponsett Ponds, then 2 more below.
Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area
A 1,638-acre state wildlife management area spanning Halifax and neighboring Hanson, built from former cranberry bog land acquired starting in 2002. It offers hiking on established trails, hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching, managed by MassWildlife.
Off Hawks Avenue, Hanson (primary public access) and Elm Street, Halifax
Monponsett Ponds
East and West Monponsett Ponds are connected water bodies that make up a large share of the town's land area, separated in places by a strip of land only about 150 feet wide, used for boating and fishing.
Off Route 58/Monponsett Street, Halifax, MA
Silver Lake
Halifax occupies the western shore of Silver Lake, a large pond shared with Kingston, Pembroke, and Plympton.
Western shore, Halifax, MA
Holmes Public Library
The town's public library, offering programs and access to informational and cultural resources.
470 Plymouth Street, Halifax, MA
Plan a visit
A little history
English colonists, including the Bosworth family, settled the area that became Halifax starting in 1669; the town was incorporated in 1734 and named for Halifax, West Yorkshire, England.
Halifax is part of the Silver Lake Regional School District, formed with the neighboring towns of Kingston and Plympton.
Burrage Pond, a former cranberry bog spanning Halifax and Hanson, began its conversion to a state wildlife management area in 2002 and now totals 1,638 acres.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Halifax
Halifax's outdoor recreation is built around its ponds, with Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area offering the town's main trail network.
- Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area1,638 acres of former cranberry bog managed by MassWildlife for hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching.
- East and West Monponsett PondsConnected ponds used for boating and fishing, separated in narrow places by only about 150 feet of land.
- Silver LakeA large lake bordering Halifax, Kingston, Pembroke, and Plympton.
Where to eat in Halifax: restaurants and coffee
2 places in Halifax to try, including italian restaurant and american restaurant and bar. No one paid to be listed.
Nonnie's Italian Grille
Italian restaurant
A family-owned Italian restaurant on Plymouth Street, sister restaurant to Grille 58.
315 Plymouth Street, Halifax, MA 02338
Grille 58
American restaurant and bar
A restaurant and bar on Monponsett Street, sister restaurant to Nonnie's Italian Grille.
284 Monponsett Street, Halifax, MA 02338
Walkability and getting around Halifax
Halifax has no dense village center with continuous sidewalks; Plymouth Street near Town Hall and the library has some pedestrian access, but the town overall, spread around its ponds and rural roads, is built around driving.
Drive times
- Plymouth, about 12 miles20-25 min
- Logan International Airport, about 33 miles45-60 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Halifax has its own stop on the MBTA Commuter Rail Kingston Line. Massachusetts Routes 58, 105, and 106 run through town; there is no fixed-route local bus service.
Halifax property taxes
Halifax's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.08 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,408 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $7,493, on an average assessed value of $532,178.
Halifax's FY2026 tax rates
$14.08per $1,000, residential
- Residential$14.08 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$532,178
- Average single-family tax bill$7,493
- 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 | $16.01 |
| FY2023 | $14.88 |
| FY2024 | $14.40 |
| FY2025 | $14.27 |
| FY2026 | $14.08 |
Look up a Halifax property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 781-293-1721
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Halifax
What we check on a Halifax purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, title 5 septic, pond shoreline flood zones.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Plymouth County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Halifax's extensive pond system, including the East and West Monponsett Ponds and Silver Lake, puts low-lying shoreline parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for HalifaxSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Halifax Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 781-293-1751 to schedule.
Halifax 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. Halifax's Fire Department offers smoke/CO detector inspections with online payment.
Halifax Fire DepartmentAsk about Title 5 for homes on a septic system
Many Halifax properties away from the town center rely on private septic systems. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 inspection before a home on septic can be sold; the Board of Health administers this process and requires photos with each inspection report.
Halifax Board of HealthCheck FEMA flood maps near Halifax's ponds
Shoreline parcels around the Monponsett Ponds and Silver Lake can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a pond-front property here.
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 Halifax?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Halifax address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Halifax: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Halifax: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasNo natural gas service confirmed
- WaterHalifax Water Department (public system)
- Trash and recyclingHalifax trash and recycling collection is a subscription-based curbside program run by a contracted hauler rather than a town department; the annual cost is billed semi-annually. The town provides a trash cart, and residents supply their own recycling bin with a Blue Single Stream sticker; overflow trash requires town-imprinted bags available at the Recycling Center.
- 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
Halifax Town Hall is at 499 Plymouth Street, Halifax, MA 02338. Hours: Monday-Thursday 7am-4:30pm (Tuesday until 6:30pm); closed Fridays. Main line: 781-293-1734.
- Town HallMain line and website781-293-1734
- Town ClerkVital records, voter registration, and elections.781-293-7970
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.781-293-1721
- Town Collector/TreasurerProperty tax billing and payment.781-293-1734
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.781-293-1734
- Planning BoardZoning, land use, and planning applications.781-293-1734
- Highway DepartmentRoads, sidewalks, and grounds maintenance.781-293-1734
- Water DepartmentPublic water service and billing.781-293-1733
- Holmes Public LibraryThe town's public library.781-293-2271
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, wells and permits781-293-6768
Halifax, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Halifax, MA?
Halifax's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.08 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 Halifax?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,632 a year at $14.08 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Halifax have a split tax rate?
No. Halifax uses a single rate of $14.08 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Halifax?
The average single-family tax bill in Halifax was $7,493 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $532,178.
Is trash pickup curbside or pay-as-you-throw in Halifax?
Halifax uses a subscription curbside program through a contracted hauler rather than a town-run system; the current annual cost is $440, billed in two $220 installments, and includes access to the Recycling Center.
Who supplies electricity in Halifax?
Eversource provides electric service in Halifax.
What ZIP code does Halifax use?
Halifax uses a single ZIP code, 02338, for the whole town.
Is there train service from Halifax?
Yes. Halifax has its own stop on the MBTA Commuter Rail Kingston Line.
How far is Halifax from Boston and Plymouth?
Halifax is about 33 miles south-southeast of Boston and about 12 miles west of Plymouth.
What is Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area?
It's a 1,638-acre state wildlife management area spanning Halifax and Hanson, converted from former cranberry bogs, with trails for hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching.
Towns near Halifax
Neighbors of Halifax, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Halifax, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Halifax official website: halifaxma.gov
- Curbside Trash & Recycling Program - Town of Halifax: halifaxma.gov
- Fire Department - Town of Halifax: halifaxma.gov
- Board of Health - Town of Halifax: halifaxma.gov
- Water Department - Town of Halifax: halifaxma.gov
- Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area - Town of Halifax: halifaxma.gov
- Board of Assessors - Town of Halifax: halifaxma.gov
- Town Clerk - Town of Halifax: halifaxma.gov
- Holmes Public Library - Town of Halifax: halifaxma.gov
- Nonnie's Italian Grille, Facebook: facebook.com
- Halifax - West Monponsett Pond 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: T.S. Custadio (ToddC4176), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.