Downtown Lowell
375 Merrimack St, Lowell, MA 01852
Living in Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County at the confluence of the Merrimack and Concord rivers, founded in 1823 as a planned textile manufacturing center and incorporated as a town in 1826, then as a city in 1836. Pawtucket Falls on the Merrimack River, with about a 10-meter drop, powered the mills that by the 1850s made Lowell home to the largest industrial complex in the United States; much of that mill and canal system is preserved today within Lowell National Historical Park.
Lowell at a glance
- $11.35Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,844Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 35-45 minDrive to Boston
- MiddlesexCounty
Lowell's villages and zip codes
Lowell uses four geographic ZIP codes, 01850 through 01854 (excluding 01853, a P.O. box code), generally dividing the city's neighborhoods.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Lowell | 01852 | The historic mill district around the canals, including Lowell National Historical Park and City Hall. |
| Centralville | 01850 | North of the Merrimack River, connected to downtown by the Aiken Street and Bridge Street bridges. |
| Pawtucketville | 01854 | The northwestern neighborhood along the Merrimack River, near the University of Massachusetts Lowell's North Campus. |
| Belvidere | 01852 | A residential neighborhood east of downtown, known for its historic homes along Andover Street. |
| The Acre | 01850 | A neighborhood northwest of downtown, one of Lowell's earliest mill-worker districts. |
Things to do in Lowell, MA
Start with Lowell National Historical Park and Boott Cotton Mills Museum, then 2 more below.
Lowell National Historical Park
A National Park Service site preserving about 5.6 miles of the city's restored 19th-century textile canal system, including the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, a walk-through museum with working looms recreating 19th-century textile production, and a historic trolley line.
246 Market St, Lowell, MA
Boott Cotton Mills Museum
The most fully restored mill building in the historical park, with a working weave room and exhibits on Lowell's mill-worker history.
115 John St, Lowell, MA
Lowell Canal System walk
A footpath along the Merrimack and Pawtucket canals from the park's visitor center on Market Street, following the waterways that once powered the mills.
Downtown Lowell, MA
Vandenberg Esplanade
A riverside path along the Merrimack River near downtown, used for walking and river views near Pawtucket Falls.
Along the Merrimack River, Lowell, MA
A little history
Lowell was founded in 1823 as a planned textile manufacturing center at Pawtucket Falls on the Merrimack River, taking advantage of the roughly 10-meter drop in elevation to power mills; it was incorporated as a town in 1826 and became a city in 1836.
By the 1850s, Lowell had the largest industrial complex in the United States, built around its canal system, which diverted river water to dozens of textile mills.
The city's mill workforce took part in the 1922 New England textile strike, part of a wider regional labor movement over wage cuts.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Lowell
Lowell's outdoor spaces follow the Merrimack and Concord rivers and the historic canal system that once powered its mills.
- Lowell Canal System pathsWalking paths along roughly 5.6 miles of restored 19th-century canals through downtown.
- Vandenberg EsplanadeA riverfront walking path along the Merrimack River near downtown.
- Pawtucket FallsThe falls on the Merrimack River that originally powered Lowell's mills, viewable from riverside points near the dam.
Where to eat in Lowell: restaurants and coffee
1 places in Lowell to try, including american restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
Cobblestones of Lowell
American restaurant
A restaurant in a historic downtown building serving steaks, burgers and local seafood, with Sunday brunch; the building has housed the restaurant for more than three decades.
91 Dutton St, Lowell, MA 01852 · cobblestonesoflowell.com
Walkability and getting around Lowell
Downtown Lowell, with the canal walkways and the historical park, is walkable and compact, but neighborhoods like Pawtucketville and Belvidere spread out along wider streets where a car is more useful for errands.
Centralville
Pawtucketville
Belvidere
Drive times
- Boston, about 25 miles35-45 min
- Logan International Airport, about 30 miles40-50 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The MBTA Lowell Line commuter rail connects Gallagher Terminal in downtown Lowell to Boston's North Station. The Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) operates local bus routes throughout the city and to surrounding towns.
Lowell property taxes
Lowell's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.35 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $22.04. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,135 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,844, on an average assessed value of $514,854.
Lowell's FY2026 tax rates
$11.35per $1,000, residential
- Residential$11.35 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$22.04 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$514,854
- Average single-family tax bill$5,844
- 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 | $12.69 |
| FY2023 | $12.42 |
| FY2024 | $11.91 |
| FY2025 | $11.48 |
| FY2026 | $11.35 |
Look up a Lowell property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- City ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-674-4200
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Lowell
What we check on a Lowell purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Lowell sits at the confluence of the Merrimack and Concord rivers, and low-lying land near both rivers, including parts of downtown and Pawtucketville, can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for LowellSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Lowell Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-674-4588 to schedule.
Lowell Fire Department pageAll 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 Lowell?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Lowell address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Lowell: utilities, trash and city hall
Who to call in Lowell: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- WaterCity of Lowell Water Utility
- Sewer or septicCity of Lowell Wastewater Utility
- Trash and recyclingLowell provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection using wheeled carts, with a purple-bag overflow program for extra trash beyond the cart. A recycling drop-off is also available at 1365 Middlesex Street on set days.
- 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
Recycling drop-off
1365 Middlesex St, Lowell, MA Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 am-3 pm
Transfer station detailsCity Hall offices and contacts
Lowell City Hall is at 375 Merrimack St, Lowell, MA 01852. Main line: 978-674-4000.
- City HallMain line and website978-674-4000
- City ClerkVital records and city council records.978-674-4000
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments, with an online property database.978-674-4200
- Public WorksStreets, trash and recycling.
- Lowell Fire DepartmentFire prevention, permits and inspections.978-674-4588
- Health DepartmentPublic health services and permits.
- Water UtilityPublic water service.
- Wastewater UtilitySewer service.
- Lowell Public SchoolsThe city's public school district.
Lowell, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Lowell, MA?
Lowell's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.35 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $22.04. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Lowell?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,540 a year at $11.35 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Lowell have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $11.35 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $22.04.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Lowell?
The average single-family tax bill in Lowell was $5,844 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $514,854.
What ZIP codes does Lowell, MA use?
Lowell uses four geographic ZIP codes: 01850, 01851, 01852 and 01854, with 01853 reserved for P.O. boxes.
Is trash pickup curbside in Lowell?
Yes. Lowell collects trash and recycling weekly at the curb using wheeled carts, with a purple-bag program for extra trash and a separate recycling drop-off site.
Who supplies electricity in Lowell?
National Grid provides electric service in Lowell.
Is there a train station in Lowell?
Yes. The MBTA Lowell Line commuter rail runs from Gallagher Terminal in downtown Lowell to Boston's North Station.
How far is Lowell from Boston?
Lowell is about 25 miles northwest of Boston, roughly a 35-45 minute drive depending on traffic.
Towns near Lowell
Neighbors of Lowell, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Lowell, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Lowell National Historical Park - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Lowell official website: lowellma.gov
- Lowell Solid Waste & Recycling: lowellma.gov
- Lowell Fire Department: lowellma.gov
- Lowell Assessors: lowellma.gov
- Cobblestones of Lowell official site: cobblestonesoflowell.com
- 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.
- Checked September 25, 2026.