Leyden center
7 Brattleboro Rd, Leyden, MA 01301
Living in Leyden, Massachusetts
Leyden is a hill town on the Vermont line in northern Franklin County, set off from Bernardston and incorporated in 1809. It's named for Leiden in the Netherlands, a refuge for the Pilgrims before they sailed for New England. The Green River forms the town's western border, and state forest and wildlife-management land cover much of the hilly terrain, with no state highway running through town.
Leyden at a glance
- $14.69Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,127Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Greenfield
- FranklinCounty
Leyden's zip code
Leyden addresses use ZIP code 01337, though some properties near the Greenfield line use the 01301 Greenfield ZIP.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Leyden center | 01337 | Around the Town Office on Brattleboro Road, near the Leyden Congregational Church. |
Things to do in Leyden, MA
Start with Leyden Wildlife Management Area and Leyden State Forest.
Leyden Wildlife Management Area
A MassWildlife property covering the hills around Ball Mountain, with mature upland forest, more than 120 acres of maintained open fields and blueberry barrens, and an unmarked 5.8-mile trail from a trailhead on Filter Plant Road.
Filter Plant Rd, Leyden, MA
Leyden State Forest
A 61-acre state forest parcel between County Road and Beaver Meadow Road used for hunting, hiking and nature observation.
Between County Rd and Beaver Meadow Rd, Leyden, MA
A little history
Leyden was settled in 1738 as part of a grant called Fall Town, was set off from Bernardston, and was incorporated as Leyden in 1809, taking its name from Leiden in the Netherlands, a refuge for the Pilgrims.
The Dorrellites, a small utopian religious sect, were active in Leyden in the 1790s, and the Brotherhood of the Spirit commune was founded in town in 1968.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Leyden
Leyden's outdoor recreation centers on the Green River, which forms its western border, and on large tracts of state wildlife-management and forest land in the hills.
- Leyden Wildlife Management AreaMassWildlife land around Ball Mountain with a long, unmarked hilltop trail and maintained blueberry barrens.
- Leyden State ForestA small state forest parcel for hiking and hunting between County and Beaver Meadow roads.
- Green RiverForms Leyden's western border with Colrain; used for fishing and paddling in season.
Walkability and getting around Leyden
Leyden center is a small cluster of buildings with no sidewalks; this rural, hilly town has no walkable commercial area, and a car is necessary to get around or reach nearby Greenfield or Bernardston.
Drive times
- Greenfield, about 9 miles15-20 min
- Bradley International Airport
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Leyden has no fixed-route public transit and no train station. The nearest Amtrak service is in Greenfield, about 9 miles south.
Leyden property taxes
Leyden's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.69 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,469 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,127, on an average assessed value of $349,037.
Leyden's FY2026 tax rates
$14.69per $1,000, residential
- Residential$14.69 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$349,037
- Average single-family tax bill$5,127
- 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 | $16.14 |
| FY2023 | $15.18 |
| FY2024 | $14.94 |
| FY2025 | $15.28 |
| FY2026 | $14.69 |
Look up a Leyden property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Leyden
What we check on a Leyden purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, well & septic, transfer station permit.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Franklin County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Flood zones are set address by address. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for LeydenSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Leyden Fire Department before the sale closes.
Every property is on a private well and septic system
Leyden has no public water or sewer system, so all homes use private wells and septic systems. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before a home on septic can be sold, and we build that timeline into your preapproval.
Trash goes through Bernardston's transfer station
Leyden has no curbside trash pickup. Residents share the Bernardston Transfer Station under an annual permit, which is worth budgeting for as a homeowner cost.
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 Leyden?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Leyden address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Leyden: utilities, trash and town office
Who to call in Leyden: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasNo natural gas service
- WaterPrivate wells; Leyden has no public water system
- Sewer or septicNo town sewer system; properties use private septic systems
- Trash and recyclingLeyden has no curbside collection. Residents use the Bernardston Transfer Station, shared by Bernardston and Leyden residents, with an annual permit.
- 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 Office offices and contacts
Leyden Town Office is at 7 Brattleboro Rd, Leyden, MA 01301. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30 AM-4:00 PM. Main line: 413-774-4111 ext. 1.
- Town OfficeMain line and website413-774-4111 ext. 1
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.413-774-4111
- Assessor's OfficeProperty values and assessments.413-774-4111
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.413-774-4111
- Board of HealthSeptic (Title 5) and well permitting.413-774-4111
- Fire DepartmentFire safety and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.413-774-4111
- Planning BoardZoning and land-use applications.413-774-4111
- Highway DepartmentRoads and town infrastructure.413-774-4111
- Robertson Memorial LibraryThe town's public library.
- Pioneer Valley Regional School DistrictThe town's public school district (Bernardston Elementary, then Pioneer Valley Regional School).
Leyden, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Leyden, MA?
Leyden's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.69 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 Leyden?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,876 a year at $14.69 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Leyden have a split tax rate?
No. Leyden uses a single rate of $14.69 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Leyden?
The average single-family tax bill in Leyden was $5,127 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $349,037.
What county is Leyden, MA in?
Leyden is in Franklin County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP code does Leyden use?
Most Leyden addresses use ZIP code 01337, though some near the Greenfield line use 01301.
Is there curbside trash pickup in Leyden?
No. Leyden residents use the Bernardston Transfer Station, shared by both towns, under an annual permit.
Who supplies electricity in Leyden?
Eversource is the electric utility for Leyden.
How far is Leyden from Greenfield?
Leyden is about 9 miles from Greenfield, roughly a 15-20 minute drive.
Is there public water or sewer in Leyden?
No. Leyden has no public water or sewer system; homes use private wells and septic systems.
Towns near Leyden
Neighbors of Leyden, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Leyden, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Leyden, MA - Contact: townofleyden.com
- Bernardston Transfer Station: townofbernardston.org
- Eversource - Communities We Serve: eversource.com
- Leyden Wildlife Management Area Trail - AllTrails: alltrails.com
- Leyden-Frizzell Hill 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: ToddC4176, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.