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 Leicester, Massachusetts
Leicester is a town in central Worcester County, incorporated in 1714 on land originally called Towtaid by the Nipmuc, purchased in 1686. Leicester's Colonel William Henshaw coined the term "minutemen" in 1774, and Peter Salem, a freed slave and Leicester resident, is credited with killing British Major John Pitcairn at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. Routes 9 and 56 divide the town, and most of Worcester's Kettle Brook water reservoir system lies in northeastern Leicester, where the former villages of Mannville and Lakeside once stood.
Leicester at a glance
- $11.09Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,026Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Worcester
- WorcesterCounty
Leicester's villages and zip codes
Leicester center uses ZIP code 01524; the Cherry Valley (01611) and Rochdale (01542) village sections have their own ZIP codes.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester center | 01524 | Around Washburn Square, where Town Hall and municipal offices are located. |
| Cherry Valley | 01611 | A village section of Leicester with its own ZIP code. |
| Rochdale | 01542 | A village section of Leicester, formerly including the village of Greenville, with its own ZIP code. |
Things to do in Leicester, MA
Start with Leicester Public Library and Kettle Brook reservoir system.
Leicester Public Library
The town's public library, established in 1801.
Leicester, MA
Kettle Brook reservoir system
Most of Worcester's Kettle Brook water reservoir system lies in northeastern Leicester, built over the former villages of Mannville and Lakeside.
Northeastern Leicester, MA
A little history
Land that became Leicester, originally called Towtaid by the Nipmuc, was purchased in 1686; the town was incorporated in 1714.
Leicester's Colonel William Henshaw coined the term "minutemen" in 1774.
Peter Salem, a freed slave and Leicester resident, is credited with killing British Major John Pitcairn at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.
By the 1890s, Leicester was producing one-third of all hand and machine cards made in North America before the industry began to fade.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Leicester
Leicester's geography includes the Kettle Brook water reservoir system, most of which lies within the town's northeastern section.
- Kettle Brook reservoir systemA series of reservoirs supplying water to Worcester, located mostly within Leicester.
Walkability and getting around Leicester
Leicester center around Washburn Square has sidewalks near Town Hall, and the Cherry Valley and Rochdale village sections have their own small walkable cores, but most of the town is built around driving.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 7 miles15-20 min
- Worcester Regional Airport, about 8 miles15-20 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) provides bus service in Leicester.
Leicester property taxes
Leicester's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.09 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,109 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,026, on an average assessed value of $453,231.
Leicester's FY2026 tax rates
$11.09per $1,000, residential
- Residential$11.09 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$453,231
- Average single-family tax bill$5,026
- 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 | $13.99 |
| FY2023 | $12.86 |
| FY2024 | $12.55 |
| FY2025 | $11.77 |
| FY2026 | $11.09 |
Look up a Leicester property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town Clerk / Board of RegistrarsVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-892-7001
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Leicester
What we check on a Leicester purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, foundations, septic & wells.
Check the flood zone first
The Kettle Brook water reservoir system, mostly within northeastern Leicester, puts nearby low-lying parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for LeicesterSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Leicester Fire/EMS Department before the sale closes. Call 508-892-7022 to schedule.
Leicester Fire/EMS Department pageAsk about foundation testing
The Massachusetts Geological Survey at UMass Amherst lists Leicester 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 guideBoard of Health handles septic and well permitting
Leicester's Board of Health issues permits and inspections related to septic systems and wells for properties outside the Cherry Valley Rochdale Water District's service area. Buyers should confirm septic and well status before making an offer.
Leicester 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 Leicester?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Leicester address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Leicester: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Leicester: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- WaterCherry Valley Rochdale Water District provides water service in parts of town.
- 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
Leicester Town Hall is at 3 Washburn Square, Leicester, MA 01524. Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 8:00 AM-5:00 PM; Tue 8:00 AM-7:00 PM; Fri closed. Main line: 508-892-7000.
- Town HallMain line and website508-892-7000
- Town Clerk / Board of RegistrarsLand records, vital records, and elections.508-892-7011
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.508-892-7001
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.508-892-7002
- Building / Code EnforcementBuilding permits and inspections.508-892-7003
- Planning BoardZoning, land use, and planning applications.508-892-7007
- Parks & Recreation CommitteeTown parks and recreation programs.508-892-7021
- Department of Public WorksRoads, highway maintenance, and waste management.508-892-7021
- Board of HealthSeptic, wells, and health permits.508-892-7008
- Leicester Public LibraryThe town's public library, established in 1801.508-892-7020
- Leicester Public SchoolsThe town's public school district.
Leicester, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Leicester, MA?
Leicester's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.09 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 Leicester?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,436 a year at $11.09 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Leicester have a split tax rate?
No. Leicester uses a single rate of $11.09 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Leicester?
The average single-family tax bill in Leicester was $5,026 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $453,231.
What ZIP codes does Leicester use?
Leicester center uses 01524; the Cherry Valley and Rochdale village sections use 01611 and 01542.
Who supplies electricity in Leicester?
National Grid provides electric service in Leicester.
Is there public transit in Leicester?
The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) provides bus service in Leicester.
Which towns border Leicester?
Leicester borders Spencer, Paxton, Worcester, Auburn, Oxford, and Charlton.
How far is Leicester from Worcester?
Leicester is about 7 miles from Worcester, roughly a 15-20 minute drive.
What water district serves Leicester?
The Cherry Valley Rochdale Water District provides water service in parts of Leicester.
Towns near Leicester
Neighbors of Leicester, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Leicester, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Leicester official website: leicesterma.org
- Department of Public Works directory - Leicester, MA: leicesterma.org
- MassDOT Utility Contacts by District/Municipality - Leicester: hwy.massdot.state.ma.us
- Leicester Town Hall 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: Pvmoutside, English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.