Downtown / The Flats
536 Dwight St, Holyoke, MA 01040
Living in Holyoke, Massachusetts
Holyoke lies on the western bank of the Connecticut River at the base of the Mount Tom Range, north of Springfield. It was set off from West Springfield and incorporated as a town in 1850, then chartered as a city in 1873. The city grew up around the Holyoke Dam and its planned network of power canals, built starting in 1849, which made it one of the country's largest paper-manufacturing centers by the 1880s.
Holyoke at a glance
- $17.43Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,319Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Springfield
- HampdenCounty
Holyoke's villages and zip codes
Holyoke uses ZIP code 01040 for the city, with 01041 as a separate P.O. box ZIP code.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown / The Flats | 01040 | The historic center along the canal system, home to City Hall. |
| Highlands | 01040 | A residential neighborhood on the rise above downtown. |
| Smith's Ferry | 01040 | A section in the northern part of the city along the Connecticut River and Mount Tom Range. |
| Rock Valley | 01040 | A section in the western part of the city. |
Things to do in Holyoke, MA
Start with Holyoke Heritage State Park and Canalwalk and Volleyball Hall of Fame, then 2 more below.
Holyoke Heritage State Park and Canalwalk
A downtown park along Holyoke's historic power-canal system, with paved walking paths that connect to the Children's Museum and other heritage sites.
221 Appleton St, Holyoke, MA
Volleyball Hall of Fame
A museum on the sport, which was invented at Holyoke's YMCA; open Tuesday through Sunday with exhibits on the sport's history.
444 Dwight St, Holyoke, MA
Wistariahurst Museum
A historic house museum in the former estate of the Skinner silk-manufacturing family, named for the wisteria vines on its facade, with guided tours and events.
238 Cabot St, Holyoke, MA
Dinosaur Footprints Reservation
A Trustees of Reservations site along the Connecticut River with dinosaur tracks preserved in exposed riverbed rock.
Route 5, Holyoke, MA
More worth a visit
- Mount Tom RangeA traprock ridge along the city's western edge with hiking trails; its high point is about 1,202 feet.
A little history
Holyoke was set off from West Springfield and incorporated as a town in 1850, becoming a city in 1873.
The Holyoke Dam and its network of power canals, built starting in 1849, drove the city's industrial growth and by 1885 Holyoke was the largest single producer of paper of any city in the United States.
Volleyball was invented at Holyoke's local YMCA.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Holyoke
The Connecticut River and the Mount Tom Range give Holyoke its outdoor recreation, from the flat, paved Canalwalk downtown to hiking trails on the ridge above the city.
- Holyoke Heritage State Park and CanalwalkPaved paths along the historic canal system in downtown Holyoke.
- Mount Tom RangeTraprock ridge with hiking trails along the city's western border.
- Dinosaur Footprints ReservationA riverside site with preserved dinosaur tracks in exposed rock.
Walkability and getting around Holyoke
Downtown Holyoke, along the canals and Dwight Street, has an older grid of sidewalked streets connecting museums, restaurants and City Hall, but most residential sections of the city are built around driving.
Highlands
Smith's Ferry
Rock Valley
Drive times
- Springfield, about 8 miles15-20 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 25 miles30-35 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
PVTA bus routes serve Holyoke, including service through the Smith's Ferry area. Amtrak's Vermonter stops in Holyoke, running daily along the Connecticut River corridor.
Holyoke property taxes
Holyoke's FY2026 residential tax rate is $17.43 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $38.15. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,743 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,319, on an average assessed value of $305,184.
Holyoke's FY2026 tax rates
$17.43per $1,000, residential
- Residential$17.43 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$38.15 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$305,184
- Average single-family tax bill$5,319
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Holyoke's City Council votes on a residential/commercial shift factor each year; the FY2026 rate is a decrease from FY2025, though the average tax bill has still risen in recent years due to higher property valuations.
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 | $19.26 |
| FY2023 | $18.76 |
| FY2024 | $18.95 |
| FY2025 | $17.46 |
| FY2026 | $17.43 |
Look up a Holyoke property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- City ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Hampden County Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Holyoke
What we check on a Holyoke purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, foundations, municipal utility, smoke certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Hampden County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Holyoke sits along the Connecticut River, and low-lying parcels near the river, including parts of the Flats and South Holyoke, fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for HolyokeSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Holyoke Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau before the sale closes. Call 413-534-2254 to schedule.
Holyoke Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau pageAsk about foundation testing
The Massachusetts Geological Survey at UMass Amherst lists Holyoke among the towns at moderate risk from pyrrhotite, a mineral linked to crumbling concrete foundations, based on distance from the Connecticut quarry that supplied the concrete. On a home with a poured concrete foundation, ask whether it has been tested.
UMass pyrrhotite guideGas and electric come from a municipal utility
Holyoke Gas & Electric, a municipal utility rather than an investor-owned company, supplies both electricity and natural gas to the city. Buyers moving from a town served by Eversource or National Grid should expect different rates, billing and outage-reporting contacts.
Fire department inspection required before a sale closes
Massachusetts law requires a smoke and carbon monoxide detector certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. In Holyoke, the Fire Prevention Bureau handles these inspections and permits online.
Fire Prevention BureauAll 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 Holyoke?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Holyoke address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Holyoke: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Holyoke: Holyoke Gas & Electric, a municipal utility for power.
- ElectricHolyoke Gas & Electric, a municipal utility
- Natural gasHolyoke Gas & Electric, a municipal utility
- WaterHolyoke Water Works
- Sewer or septicCity of Holyoke sewer system, billed through the Department of Public Works.
- Trash and recyclingThe city's Department of Public Works operates trash and recycling collection.
- 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
City Hall offices and contacts
Holyoke City Hall is at 536 Dwight St, Holyoke, MA 01040. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Main line: 413-322-5510.
- City HallMain line and website413-322-5510
- City ClerkVital records, elections and city ordinances.
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Department of Public WorksTrash, water, sewer billing, streets and infrastructure.413-322-5645
- Board of HealthSeptic, well and environmental health permits.413-322-5595
- Fire Department, Fire Prevention BureauFire prevention, permits and smoke/CO certificate inspections.413-534-2254
- Holyoke Public LibraryThe city's public library.
- Holyoke Public SchoolsThe city's public school district.
Holyoke, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Holyoke, MA?
Holyoke's FY2026 residential tax rate is $17.43 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $38.15. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Holyoke?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,972 a year at $17.43 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Holyoke have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $17.43 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $38.15.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Holyoke?
The average single-family tax bill in Holyoke was $5,319 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $305,184.
Who supplies electricity and gas in Holyoke?
Holyoke Gas & Electric, a municipal utility, supplies both electricity and natural gas to the city.
What ZIP code does Holyoke use?
Holyoke uses ZIP code 01040 for the city.
Is there train service in Holyoke?
Yes. Amtrak's Vermonter stops in Holyoke daily along the Connecticut River corridor.
What is the process for a smoke detector certificate when selling a home in Holyoke?
Sellers arrange an inspection with the Holyoke Fire Prevention Bureau, which issues a certificate of compliance once smoke and carbon monoxide detectors meet Massachusetts requirements.
Towns near Holyoke
Neighbors of Holyoke, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Holyoke, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Holyoke official website: holyoke.org
- What is the Current Tax Rate in the City? - City of Holyoke: holyoke.org
- Shift factor determined, tax rate set - City of Holyoke: holyoke.org
- Fire Prevention Bureau - City of Holyoke: holyoke.org
- Board of Health - City of Holyoke: holyoke.org
- Wistariahurst Museum: expedia.com
- Holyoke, Massachusetts. 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: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.