Old Town
188 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945
Living in Marblehead, Massachusetts
Marblehead is a coastal town on the North Shore, a rocky peninsula bordered by Salem to the northwest and Swampscott to the south. It was incorporated in 1649 and named for the granite ledges early settlers mistook for marble. Its sheltered harbor, protected by shoals and Marblehead Neck, has made it a center for sailing and yachting for more than a century.
Marblehead at a glance
- $8.56Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $11,055Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 35-45 minDrive to Boston
- EssexCounty
Marblehead's villages and zip codes
Marblehead uses a single ZIP code, 01945, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town | 01945 | The historic downtown around Washington Street and Abbot Hall, with narrow colonial-era streets running down to the harbor. |
| Marblehead Neck | 01945 | A peninsula connected to the mainland by a causeway, with Marblehead Light and the Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary. |
| Clifton | 01945 | A residential section on the western side of town. |
Things to do in Marblehead, MA
Start with Abbot Hall and Fort Sewall, then 3 more below.
Abbot Hall
Marblehead's 1876 town hall, home to Archibald Willard's painting The Spirit of '76. Its clock tower is a landmark visible from the harbor.
188 Washington St, Marblehead, MA
Fort Sewall
A harbor-mouth fortification with origins dating to 1644, now a public park with views over Marblehead Harbor and the outer islands.
End of Front St, Marblehead, MA
Marblehead Light (Chandler Hovey Park)
A skeletal cast-iron lighthouse on Marblehead Neck, set in a small waterfront park with rocky shoreline for walking.
Chandler Hovey Park, Marblehead Neck, MA
Jeremiah Lee Mansion
A 1768 Georgian mansion maintained as a historic house museum by the Marblehead Museum.
161 Washington St, Marblehead, MA
Devereux Beach and Crocker Park
A town beach and a waterfront park overlooking the harbor, both used for walking, picnicking and watching the sailing fleet.
Ocean Ave, Marblehead, MA
More worth a visit
- Mass Audubon Marblehead Neck Wildlife SanctuaryA wooded bird sanctuary on Marblehead Neck with walking trails.
Around the calendar
- JulyRace WeekAn annual yachting regatta held out of Marblehead Harbor, one of the town's longest-running sailing traditions.
A little history
Marblehead was incorporated as a town in 1649, having been settled earlier as a fishing outpost of Salem; it was renamed from the Native name Massebequash after granite ledges that settlers mistook for marble.
Marblehead sailors are recognized as forerunners of the U.S. Navy, and local mariners are credited with ferrying George Washington's army across the Delaware River in 1776.
Wilmot Redd of Marblehead was among those accused and executed during the Salem witch trials, hanged on September 22, 1692.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Marblehead
Marblehead's outdoor life centers on its harbor and rocky coastline, with parks, a wildlife sanctuary and beaches spread along the Neck and mainland shore.
- Fort SewallHarbor-mouth park with walking paths and water views.
- Chandler Hovey ParkSmall park around Marblehead Light with rocky shoreline access.
- Marblehead Neck Wildlife SanctuaryMass Audubon woodland sanctuary with walking trails.
- Devereux BeachTown beach along Ocean Avenue facing the harbor entrance.
Walkability and getting around Marblehead
Old Town's narrow colonial streets and the harbor front are walkable, with shops and restaurants clustered along Washington and State streets, but Marblehead Neck and the outlying residential areas are built for driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 16 miles35-45 min
- Logan International Airport, about 18 miles35-45 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
MBTA bus routes 441 and 442 connect Marblehead to Boston, and routes 114 and 129 serve the town from Salem and Lynn. Marblehead has no train station; the former Eastern Railroad line through town was discontinued and its right-of-way converted to bike paths.
Marblehead property taxes
Marblehead's FY2026 residential tax rate is $8.56 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $856 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $11,055, on an average assessed value of $1,291,507.
Marblehead's FY2026 tax rates
$8.56per $1,000, residential
- Residential$8.56 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,291,507
- Average single-family tax bill$11,055
- 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 | $10.52 |
| FY2023 | $10.00 |
| FY2024 | $8.96 |
| FY2025 | $9.05 |
| FY2026 | $8.56 |
Look up a Marblehead property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Marblehead
What we check on a Marblehead purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, coastal flood zone, municipal electric.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Essex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Marblehead's harbor front and low-lying shoreline around the Neck and Old Town fall within FEMA-mapped coastal flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for MarbleheadSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Marblehead Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 781-631-1212 to schedule.
Check FEMA flood maps near the harbor
Marblehead's shoreline, including parts of Old Town and Marblehead Neck, sits in FEMA-mapped coastal flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a waterfront or near-harbor property.
Electricity comes from a town-owned utility
Marblehead is served by the Marblehead Municipal Light Department rather than an investor-owned utility. Buyers should set up service through MMLD directly.
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 Marblehead?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Marblehead address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Marblehead: utilities, trash and abbot hall
Who to call in Marblehead: Marblehead Municipal Light Department, a town-owned electric utility operating independently since 1894 for power.
- ElectricMarblehead Municipal Light Department, a town-owned electric utility operating independently since 1894
- WaterMarblehead Water & Sewer Commission
- Sewer or septicMarblehead Water & Sewer Commission; the town is a member of the South Essex Sewerage District for treatment
- Trash and recyclingThe town provides curbside trash and recycling collection through a contracted hauler.
- 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
Abbot Hall offices and contacts
Marblehead Abbot Hall is at 188 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945. Main line: 781-631-0528.
- Abbot HallMain line and website781-631-0528
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Board of HealthSeptic (Title 5), well and public health matters.781-631-0212
- Marblehead Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.781-631-1212
- Water & Sewer CommissionWater and sewer billing and infrastructure.
- Marblehead Public LibraryThe town's public library, Abbot Public Library.
- Marblehead Public SchoolsThe town's public school district.
Marblehead, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Marblehead, MA?
Marblehead's FY2026 residential tax rate is $8.56 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 Marblehead?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $3,424 a year at $8.56 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Marblehead have a split tax rate?
No. Marblehead uses a single rate of $8.56 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Marblehead?
The average single-family tax bill in Marblehead was $11,055 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,291,507.
What county is Marblehead, MA in?
Marblehead is in Essex County.
What ZIP code does Marblehead use?
Marblehead uses a single ZIP code, 01945, for the whole town.
Is there curbside trash pickup in Marblehead?
Yes. The town provides curbside trash and recycling collection through a contracted hauler.
Who supplies electricity in Marblehead?
The Marblehead Municipal Light Department, a town-owned electric utility, rather than an investor-owned company.
Is there a train station in Marblehead?
No. Marblehead has no train station; the former rail line through town is now a bike path.
How far is Marblehead from Boston?
Marblehead is about 16 miles from Boston, roughly a 35-45 minute drive.
Towns near Marblehead
Neighbors of Marblehead, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Marblehead, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Marblehead official website: marbleheadma.gov
- Board of Health - Marblehead MA: marbleheadma.gov
- Marblehead Municipal Light Department: marbleheadelectric.com
- Water & Sewer Commission - Town of Marblehead: marbleheadma.gov
- Marblehead moves forward with Republic and new trash contract - Marblehead Current: marbleheadcurrent.org
- Marbleheadma1649.jpg, 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: Oceanhistory, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.