First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Worcester County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Holden, Massachusetts
Holden is a town in Worcester County just northwest of the city of Worcester, incorporated in 1741. Its town common, Hancock Commons, was donated by John Hancock, and the Quinapoxet River and part of the Wachusett Reservoir watershed run through its hilly terrain.
Holden at a glance
- $13.48Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $7,469Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20–25 minDrive to Worcester
- WorcesterCounty
Holden's villages and zip codes
Holden Center uses 01520; the village of Jefferson uses 01522.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Holden Center | 01520 | The town's main village around Main Street and Hancock Commons, with Town Hall and the Public Safety Building. |
| Jefferson | 01522 | A village in the northern part of town with its own zip code. |
Things to do in Holden, MA
Start with Holden Historical Walking Tour and Gale Free Library, then 1 more below.
Holden Historical Walking Tour
A self-guided tour of eleven sites around the town center, including Hancock Commons, the Old Burying Ground, the Damon House and the Boyden Road Historical District.
Starts at Hancock Commons, Main St, Holden, MA 01520
Plan a visitGale Free Library
Holden's public library, first opened in 1888 and known locally as the Damon Memorial building.
23 Highland St, Holden, MA 01520
Eagle Lake Recreation Area
A town-owned lake, beach and parking area on Main Street that the town has been studying for renovation and redesign.
1196 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520
Plan a visit
More worth a visit
- Alden Research LaboratoryA hydraulics testing facility with a steel rotating boom recognized as an ASME historic landmark.
A little history
Holden was incorporated in 1741 and named for Samuel Holden, a director of the Bank of England.
The town common, Hancock Commons, was donated by John Hancock, a Massachusetts governor and Revolutionary War figure.
Wachusett Regional High School, serving Holden and four neighboring towns, was part of the first regional school district formed in Massachusetts.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Holden
Holden's outdoor recreation centers on Eagle Lake, the Quinapoxet River and the edge of the Wachusett Reservoir watershed.
- Eagle Lake Recreation AreaTown lake, beach and parking area on Main Street.More information
- Quinapoxet RiverRuns through Holden's hills and feeds toward the Wachusett Reservoir.
Walkability and getting around Holden
Holden Center around Main Street and Hancock Commons is walkable for a handful of civic buildings and the library, but most of the town's neighborhoods and shopping are spread out and require a car.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 15 miles20–25 min
- Worcester Regional Airport, about 12 miles20–25 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
No confirmed fixed-route public transit serves Holden; the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) operates the closest bus network in nearby Worcester.
Holden property taxes
Holden's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.48 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,348 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $7,469, on an average assessed value of $554,053.
Holden's FY2026 tax rates
$13.48per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.48 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$554,053
- Average single-family tax bill$7,469
- 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 | $16.56 |
| FY2023 | $14.99 |
| FY2024 | $14.15 |
| FY2025 | $13.86 |
| FY2026 | $13.48 |
Look up a Holden 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
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Holden
What we check on a Holden purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, trash service, municipal electric, septic.
Check the flood zone first
Areas near the Quinapoxet River, Eagle Lake and the Wachusett Reservoir watershed on the town's eastern edge can fall in FEMA flood zones; check the flood map for a specific address. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for HoldenSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Holden Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-210-5650 to schedule.
Holden Fire Department pageNo municipal curbside pickup
Holden does not collect trash directly. Buyers should budget for a private hauler contract, licensed through the town's Board of Health, rather than a town-billed program.
Holden Municipal Light Department
Electric service in Holden comes from the town-owned Holden Municipal Light Department rather than a private utility like National Grid or Eversource.
Holden Municipal Light DepartmentTitle 5 inspections
Homes on private septic systems need a Title 5 inspection through the Board of Health as part of a sale; ask early since scheduling can take time.
Holden Board of HealthAll 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 Holden?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Holden address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Holden: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Holden: Holden Municipal Light Department, the town's own municipal electric utility, based at One Holden St. for power.
- ElectricHolden Municipal Light Department, the town's own municipal electric utility, based at One Holden St.
- WaterPublic water service through the Holden Department of Public Works in developed areas
- Sewer or septicPublic sewer in parts of town through the Holden DPW; other areas rely on private septic systems
- Trash and recyclingHolden does not run municipal curbside trash collection. Residents contract individually with a private hauler licensed by the Board of Health, and collected waste goes to the SES Millbury Resource Recovery Facility. The Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center in West Boylston takes bulky rigid plastics for a small fee.
- 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
Holden Town Hall is at 1204 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520. Main line: 508-210-5500.
- Town HallMain line and website508-210-5500
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and licensing508-210-5500
- AssessorProperty values and assessments
- Tax Collector / AccountingProperty tax billing and payments
- Board of HealthSeptic (Title 5), well and health permitting508-210-5542
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention, inspections and smoke-certificate inspections before a home sale508-210-5650
- Department of Public WorksWater, sewer and roads508-210-5500
- Holden Municipal Light DepartmentMunicipal electric utility508-210-5400
- Planning & Development OfficePlanning and zoning
- Recreation CommitteeParks and recreation programs
- Gale Free LibraryPublic library
- Wachusett Regional School DistrictSchool district serving Holden and four neighboring towns
Holden, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Holden, MA?
Holden's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.48 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 Holden?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,392 a year at $13.48 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Holden have a split tax rate?
No. Holden uses a single rate of $13.48 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Holden?
The average single-family tax bill in Holden was $7,469 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $554,053.
Is trash pickup curbside in Holden?
No. Holden does not run municipal collection; residents hire a private hauler licensed by the town's Board of Health.
Who supplies electricity in Holden?
The town-owned Holden Municipal Light Department, not a private utility.
What zip codes cover Holden?
01520 for Holden Center and 01522 for the village of Jefferson.
How far is Holden from Worcester?
About 15 miles, roughly a 20–25 minute drive.
Is there public transit in Holden?
No confirmed fixed-route service reaches Holden; the WRTA network operates in nearby Worcester.
Towns near Holden
Neighbors of Holden, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Holden, Massachusetts: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Holden official website: holdenma.gov
- Holden Historical Walking Tour: holdenma.gov
- Holden Fire Department: holdenma.gov
- Holden Health Department/Board of Health: holdenma.gov
- Holden Chapter 54 Residential Refuse Collection: holdenma.gov
- Holden Municipal Light Department: holdenma.gov
- Eagle Lake Recreation Area Feasibility Study: holdenma.gov
- Wikimedia Commons: Holden Center 2022: 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: Terageorge~commonswiki, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.