Monroe Bridge
School St, Monroe Bridge, MA 01350
Living in Monroe, Massachusetts
Monroe is Franklin County's smallest town by land area, settled around 1800 and incorporated in 1822 with a name honoring President James Monroe. It sits on the Hoosac Range at the northern end of the Berkshires, on the Vermont line, with the Deerfield River, dammed into Sherman Reservoir, forming its eastern boundary. Monroe Bridge, on the eastern side of town near Rowe, is the town's small commercial and civic center.
Monroe at a glance
- $10.13Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $1,859Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 40-45 minDrive to Greenfield
- FranklinCounty
Monroe's zip code
Monroe uses a single ZIP code, 01350, shared with the Monroe Bridge village of neighboring Rowe.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe Bridge | 01350 | The town's main settlement, on the Deerfield River near the Rowe town line, where Town Hall is located. |
Things to do in Monroe, MA
Start with Deerfield River and Monroe State Forest.
Deerfield River
The river forming Monroe's eastern border is a destination for whitewater rafting and kayaking below the Fife Brook and Sherman dams, on releases from the upstream hydroelectric stations.
Deerfield River, Monroe, MA
Monroe State Forest
State forest land covering much of southern Monroe and extending into neighboring Florida, used for hiking and hunting.
Monroe, MA
A little history
Monroe was settled around 1800 and incorporated in 1822, taking its name from President James Monroe.
The James Ramage Paper Company operated in Monroe Bridge from 1887 until it closed in 1984, a major employer in the small town's history.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Monroe
Monroe's outdoor recreation centers on the Deerfield River, dammed into Sherman Reservoir along its eastern edge, and on state forest land in the south of town.
- Deerfield RiverWhitewater rafting and kayaking on scheduled dam releases along Monroe's eastern border.
- Monroe State ForestState forest land shared with Florida, used for hiking and hunting.
Walkability and getting around Monroe
Monroe Bridge is a small cluster of buildings with no sidewalks; this is Franklin County's smallest and most rural town, and a car is necessary to get anywhere.
Drive times
- Greenfield, about 26 miles40-45 min
- Albany International Airport
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Monroe has no fixed-route public transit, bus, rail, or air service. The nearest Amtrak service is in Greenfield, about 26 miles away.
Monroe property taxes
Monroe's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.13 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $23.50. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,013 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $1,859, on an average assessed value of $183,531.
Monroe's FY2026 tax rates
$10.13per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.13 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$23.50 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$183,531
- Average single-family tax bill$1,859
- 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 | $11.61 |
| FY2023 | $11.51 |
| FY2024 | $11.36 |
| FY2025 | $8.99 |
| FY2026 | $10.13 |
Look up a Monroe property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Monroe
What we check on a Monroe purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, well & septic, smallest town in the county.
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 MonroeSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Monroe Fire Department before the sale closes.
Every property is on a private well and septic system
Monroe 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.
Very limited local services
Monroe is Franklin County's smallest town by land area, with no store, library or school of its own; residents rely on neighboring towns for most day-to-day services. Factor drive times into your planning if you're considering a property here.
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 Monroe?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Monroe address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Monroe: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Monroe: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Natural gasNo natural gas service
- WaterPrivate wells; Monroe has no public water system
- Sewer or septicNo town sewer system; properties use private septic systems
- Trash and recyclingMonroe provides residents with curbside trash and recycling pickup, coordinated through the Northern Berkshire Solid Waste Management District.
- 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
Monroe Town Hall is at School St, Monroe Bridge, MA 01350. Main line: 413-424-5272.
Monroe, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Monroe, MA?
Monroe's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.13 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $23.50. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Monroe?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,052 a year at $10.13 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Monroe have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $10.13 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $23.50.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Monroe?
The average single-family tax bill in Monroe was $1,859 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $183,531.
What county is Monroe, MA in?
Monroe is in Franklin County, Massachusetts, and is the county's smallest town by land area.
What ZIP code does Monroe use?
Monroe uses ZIP code 01350, shared with the Monroe Bridge village of neighboring Rowe.
Is there curbside trash pickup in Monroe?
Yes. Monroe provides curbside trash and recycling pickup, coordinated through the Northern Berkshire Solid Waste Management District.
Who supplies electricity in Monroe?
National Grid is the electric utility for Monroe.
How far is Monroe from Greenfield?
Monroe is about 26 miles from Greenfield, roughly a 40-45 minute drive.
Is there public water or sewer in Monroe?
No. Monroe has no public water or sewer system; homes use private wells and septic systems.
Towns near Monroe
Neighbors of Monroe, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Monroe, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Monroe - Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA): mma.org
- Northern Berkshire Solid Waste Management District - Monroe: nbswmd.com
- Massachusetts Electric Company (National Grid) service territory list: nationalgridus.com
- Monroe 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: John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.