Hopedale center
54 Hopedale Street, Hopedale, MA 01747
Living in Hopedale, Massachusetts
Hopedale is a small town in the Blackstone Valley of Worcester County, adjoining Milford. It grew from a utopian community founded in 1842 by Adin Ballou and the Practical Christians on Christian and socialist principles, and was incorporated as its own town in 1886 after separating from Milford. The Draper Corporation, once the largest maker of textile looms in the United States, later shaped the town's economy and layout until its factory closed in 1980.
Hopedale at a glance
- $16.25Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $8,808Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 30-35 minDrive to Worcester
- WorcesterCounty
Hopedale's zip code
Hopedale uses ZIP code 01747.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Hopedale center | 01747 | The compact village around Hopedale Pond, where Town Hall and the Bancroft Memorial Library are located. |
Things to do in Hopedale, MA
Start with Hopedale Parklands and Hopedale Community House, then 1 more below.
Hopedale Parklands
A 275-acre public nature reserve around Hopedale Pond, designed in 1899 by the Olmsted firm, with walking trails through woods and wetlands.
Adin Street, Hopedale, MA 01747
Hopedale Community House
A historic building associated with the 19th-century Hopedale Community, the utopian settlement founded by Adin Ballou in 1842.
Hopedale, MA 01747
Bancroft Memorial Library
The town's public library, serving the small town center.
Hopedale, MA 01747
Plan a visit
A little history
Adin Ballou and the Practical Christians gave Hopedale its name on August 26, 1841, and founded the Hopedale Community in 1842 on Christian and socialist principles; the community dissolved into bankruptcy in 1856.
The Draper Corporation, which grew out of the former community's mill operations, became the largest maker of textile looms in the United States before its Hopedale factory closed on August 29, 1980.
Hopedale separated from Milford and incorporated as its own town in 1886.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Hopedale
Hopedale Pond and the surrounding Parklands, laid out by the Olmsted firm in 1899, are the center of the town's outdoor recreation.
- Hopedale ParklandsA 275-acre nature reserve around Hopedale Pond with walking trails, designed in 1899 by Frederick Law Olmsted's firm.
- Hopedale PondA pond in the town center bordered by the Parklands trail network.
Walkability and getting around Hopedale
Hopedale's compact center around Hopedale Pond has sidewalks connecting Town Hall, the library and nearby streets, making the village itself relatively walkable, though a car is still needed for shopping outside town.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 20 miles30-35 min
- T.F. Green International Airport, about 28 miles35-40 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Hopedale has no passenger rail station; the nearest MBTA Commuter Rail service is at the Franklin/Dean College or Forge Park/495 stations on the Franklin Line. The Milford Area Transit (MART-operated) bus service connects Hopedale with neighboring Milford.
Hopedale property taxes
Hopedale's FY2026 residential tax rate is $16.25 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $27.20. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,625 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $8,808, on an average assessed value of $542,028.
Hopedale's FY2026 tax rates
$16.25per $1,000, residential
- Residential$16.25 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$27.20 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$542,028
- Average single-family tax bill$8,808
- 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 | $17.11 |
| FY2023 | $16.15 |
| FY2024 | $16.60 |
| FY2025 | $16.61 |
| FY2026 | $16.25 |
Look up a Hopedale property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Hopedale
What we check on a Hopedale purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, town water & sewer, smoke certificate.
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 loansCheck the flood zone first
Hopedale Pond and the Mill River that runs through the compact town center put some low-lying parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for HopedaleSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Hopedale Fire Department before the sale closes.
Most of the compact town center has public water and sewer
Hopedale's small footprint means most homes are served by the town's own Water & Sewer Department rather than private wells and septic, unlike many surrounding towns. Buyers should still confirm service for a specific property.
Learn moreSmoke 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 Hopedale, that inspection is scheduled through the Fire Department.
Learn moreAll 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 Hopedale?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Hopedale address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Hopedale: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Hopedale.
- WaterHopedale Water Department, a town-run public water system
- Sewer or septicHopedale Water & Sewer Department serves most of the compact town center
- Trash and recyclingTrash haulers and trash/recycling collection in Hopedale are permitted and inspected through the Board of Health; the town also operates a 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
Hopedale Town Hall is at 54 Hopedale Street, Hopedale, MA 01747. Main line: 508-634-2203.
- Town HallMain line and website508-634-2203
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments.
- Treasurer & CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.
- Board of HealthSeptic (Title 5) permitting, well permitting, and trash hauler permits.508-634-2203 ext. 223
- Fire DepartmentFire, rescue and smoke/CO certificate inspections for home sales.
- Highway DepartmentRoads and town infrastructure.508-473-4188
- Water & Sewer DepartmentPublic water and sewer service for the town center.
- Parks & RecreationTown parks and recreation programs, including the Hopedale Parklands.
- Bancroft Memorial LibraryThe town's public library.
- Hopedale Public SchoolsThe town's public school district.
Hopedale, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Hopedale, MA?
Hopedale's FY2026 residential tax rate is $16.25 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $27.20. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Hopedale?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,500 a year at $16.25 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Hopedale have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $16.25 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $27.20.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Hopedale?
The average single-family tax bill in Hopedale was $8,808 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $542,028.
What county is Hopedale, MA in?
Hopedale is in Worcester County.
What ZIP code does Hopedale use?
Hopedale uses ZIP code 01747.
Does Hopedale have public water and sewer?
Yes. The town's Water & Sewer Department serves most of the compact town center, unlike many surrounding towns that rely on private wells and septic.
How far is Hopedale from Worcester?
Hopedale is about 20 miles from Worcester, roughly a 30-35 minute drive.
Which towns border Hopedale?
Hopedale borders Milford, Upton, Bellingham and Mendon.
What school district serves Hopedale?
Hopedale operates its own school district, Hopedale Public Schools.
Towns near Hopedale
Neighbors of Hopedale, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Hopedale, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Hopedale, MA - official website: hopedale-ma.gov
- Board of Health - Town of Hopedale, MA: hopedale-ma.gov
- Highway Department - Town of Hopedale, MA: hopedale-ma.gov
- Hopedale Public Schools: hopedaleschools.org
- Hopedale Community House 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: Nantuckite, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.