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Living in Monson, Massachusetts

Monson is a town in Hampden County in western Massachusetts, about 15 miles east of Springfield near the Connecticut state line. Settled in 1715 and incorporated in 1775, the town grew around granite quarrying in the 1800s, and its center is drained by the Chicopee Brook, Twelvemile Brook, and headwaters of the Quaboag and Scantic Rivers.

Monson at a glance

Monson's zip code

Monson uses ZIP code 01057.

Monson villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Monson Center01057Town center along Main Street

Things to do in Monson, MA

Start with Peaked Mountain and Flynt Park, then 3 more below.

  1. Peaked Mountain

    A summit reached by trail with views described by the town as ranging from Mount Wachusett to Vermont's Green Mountains. Part of the town's public park land.

    FreeYear-round

    Monson

    Plan a visit
  2. Flynt Park

    A town park with a playground, athletic fields (including Doctor Rogers Fields), hiking trails, and the Mt. Ella Scenic Area.

    FreeYear-round

    Monson

    Plan a visit
  3. Flynt Quarry

    The site of a former granite quarry, now open for hiking and historical exploration. The W. N. Flynt Granite Company operated quarries in town from 1809 to 1935 and employed nearly 500 workers by 1900.

    FreeHistoric

    Monson

    Plan a visit
  4. Monson Free Library & Reading Room Association

    The town's public library, open Tuesday through Friday with varying hours.

    FreeYear-round

    2 High Street, Monson, MA 01057

    Plan a visit
  5. Veteran's Field

    A recreation complex with a playground, basketball court, skatepark, athletic fields, exercise equipment, tennis courts, and pickleball courts.

    FreeYear-round

    Monson

    Plan a visit

More worth a visit

  • Miller Memorial ParkA park with a pavilion, kitchen, and restrooms available to reserve for parties, reunions, and civic-organization events.Website
  • Dave Grieve ParkA smaller town park with a gazebo and general recreation space.Website

A little history

European settlers first arrived in what is now Monson in 1715; the town was incorporated in 1775 and named for Sir John Monson, a president of the British Board of Trade.

Granite quarrying was a major local industry from 1809 to 1935; by 1900 the W. N. Flynt Granite Company employed nearly 500 workers.

On June 1, 2011, an EF3 tornado tracked through town, causing an estimated $11.9 million in damage to 238 buildings; the town center's historic buildings were subsequently repaired.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Monson

Monson's town-owned park land runs from a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control dam to a former granite quarry, with trails used for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing.

  • Conant Brook DamA flood-control site with trails used for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.More information
  • Peaked MountainA summit trail with views the town describes as reaching from Mount Wachusett to Vermont's Green Mountains.More information
  • Keep HomesteadTown land used for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and general recreation.More information
  • Flynt QuarryA former granite quarry site open for hiking and historical exploration.More information
  • Mt. Ella Scenic Area (Flynt Park)A scenic trail area within Flynt Park, alongside its playground and athletic fields.More information

Walkability and getting around Monson

Monson's center is compact: the library, Town Office Building, and Memorial Hall sit within walking distance of each other along Main Street. Most shopping and services elsewhere in town require a car.

Monson Center

110 Main Street, Monson, MA 01057

Check any Monson address

Drive times

  • Springfield, about 15 miles
  • Bradley International Airport

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

Check PVTA and Amtrak for current routes.

Monson property taxes

Monson's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.30 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,430 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,265, on an average assessed value of $368,202.

Monson's FY2026 tax rates

$14.30per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$14.30 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$368,202
  • Average single-family tax bill$5,265
  • 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.

Monson property tax calculator

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Assessed value (100%)
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Taxes a year
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About this much a month
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Estimate at the FY2026 residential rate; the assessor's value sets the bill.

How the residential rate has changed

Fiscal yearResidential rate
FY2022$17.83
FY2023$15.86
FY2024$15.50
FY2025$14.87
FY2026$14.30

Look up a Monson property

Buying a home in Monson

What we check on a Monson purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, foundations, septic & wells, trash.

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Hampden County. We check them with you before you shop.

MassHousing home loans
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

Monson's center and outlying land are drained by the Quaboag River, Twelvemile Brook, Scantic River, and Chicopee Brook; we check the FEMA flood zone for any Monson address before you make an offer. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Monson
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Monson Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 413-267-3132 to schedule.

Monson Fire Department page
Foundations

Ask about foundation testing

The Massachusetts Geological Survey at UMass Amherst lists Monson among the towns most at 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 guide
Septic & wells

Many properties use private wells and septic systems

Monson's Board of Health issues drinking-water well permits and enforces Title 5 septic regulations for new systems, failures, and repairs on properties not connected to the town's water and sewer system.

Board of Health
Trash

Curbside pickup, not a transfer station

Trash and recycling are collected curbside by Republic Services rather than through a resident transfer-station permit.

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.

James Allen

Thinking about buying in Monson?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Monson address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Monson: utilities, trash and town office building

Who to call in Monson.

Town Office Building offices and contacts

Monson Town Office Building is at 110 Main Street, Monson, MA 01057. Hours: Closed to the public on Wednesdays. Main line: 413-267-4100.

Monson, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Monson, MA?

Monson's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.30 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 Monson?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,720 a year at $14.30 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Monson have a split tax rate?

No. Monson uses a single rate of $14.30 per $1,000 for all property classes.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Monson?

The average single-family tax bill in Monson was $5,265 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $368,202.

Does Monson use pay-as-you-throw trash bags?

No. Monson collects trash and single-stream recycling curbside through Republic Services; there is no resident permit or transfer-station sticker system.

What ZIP code does Monson use?

Monson's ZIP code is 01057.

How far is Monson from Springfield and Hartford?

Springfield is about 15 miles west of Monson, and Hartford, Connecticut is about 37 miles southwest.

Is there public bus service in Monson?

Monson sits outside the core PVTA fixed-route network, which is centered on Springfield, Holyoke, and Amherst; check pvta.com for current route coverage.

Do I need a smoke detector certificate to sell a home in Monson?

Massachusetts law requires a smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance certificate from the local fire department before closing on most home sales. In Monson, that certificate is issued by the Monson Fire Department, 413-267-3132.

Towns near Monson

Neighbors of Monson, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources