Old Town (Newbury Center)
12 Kent Way, Byfield, MA 01922
Living in Newbury, Massachusetts
Newbury is a town in Essex County just south of the Merrimack River's mouth, about 32 miles north-northeast of Boston. Founded by English colonists who arrived aboard the Mary and John in 1634-1635, it is one of the oldest towns in Massachusetts and comprises three distinct sections: Old Town (Newbury Center), Plum Island, and Byfield.
Newbury at a glance
- $7.51Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $7,201Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 10-15 minDrive to Newburyport
- EssexCounty
Newbury's villages and zip codes
Old Town and Plum Island use ZIP code 01951; Byfield uses 01922.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town (Newbury Center) | 01951 | The historic town center, with colonial-era homes including the Coffin House and Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm. |
| Byfield | 01922 | A village in southwestern Newbury, home to The Governor's Academy and the site of the nation's first female seminary, founded in 1807. |
| Plum Island | 01951 | A barrier island section of Newbury on the Atlantic coast, shared with Newburyport, with beach cottages and access to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. |
Things to do in Newbury, MA
Start with Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and Coffin House, then 2 more below.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
A federal wildlife refuge covering most of Plum Island, with beaches, dunes, salt marsh and birdwatching trails.
Plum Island, Newbury, MA
Coffin House
A 1678 colonial house museum operated by Historic New England, illustrating three centuries of one family's occupancy.
Newbury, MA
Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm
A circa-1690 stone farmhouse and working farm museum operated by Historic New England.
Newbury, MA
Old Town Hill Reservation
A Trustees of Reservations property with trails to one of the highest points on the Massachusetts coast, overlooking the Great Marsh.
Newbury, MA
More worth a visit
- The Governor's AcademyFounded in 1763 in Byfield as Dummer Academy, described as the nation's first boarding preparatory school.
A little history
Newbury was founded in 1634-1635 by English colonists from Wiltshire who arrived aboard the ship Mary and John, and was named for the town of Newbury in Berkshire, England.
Byfield was the site of the first female seminary in the United States, established in 1807.
Dummer Academy, founded in Byfield in 1763 and now known as The Governor's Academy, is described as the nation's first boarding preparatory school.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Newbury
Newbury's outdoor recreation centers on Plum Island's beaches and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, along with the Great Marsh and Old Town Hill Reservation on the mainland.
- Parker River National Wildlife RefugeA federal refuge covering most of Plum Island, with beach and marsh trails.
- Old Town Hill ReservationA Trustees of Reservations property with coastal overlook trails.
- Plum Island beachesAtlantic beaches along Newbury's barrier-island section.
Walkability and getting around Newbury
Old Town center and Plum Island have limited pedestrian areas near their landmarks and beaches, but Newbury is largely rural and spread across three distinct sections, so a car is generally necessary to get between them.
Drive times
- Newburyport, about 4 miles10-15 min
- Logan International Airport, about 38 miles50-60 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Interstate 95 passes through western Newbury with two exits, and U.S. Route 1 runs north-south through the center. The MBTA Commuter Rail Newburyport/Rockport Line terminates nearby in Newburyport.
Newbury property taxes
Newbury's FY2026 residential tax rate is $7.51 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $751 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $7,201, on an average assessed value of $958,909.
Newbury's FY2026 tax rates
$7.51per $1,000, residential
- Residential$7.51 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$958,909
- Average single-family tax bill$7,201
- 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 | $9.73 |
| FY2023 | $8.67 |
| FY2024 | $7.68 |
| FY2025 | $7.45 |
| FY2026 | $7.51 |
Look up a Newbury property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Newbury
What we check on a Newbury purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, coastal flood zones, smoke & co certificate, three distinct villages.
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
Plum Island and the Great Marsh put much of Newbury's coastal and marshland areas within FEMA-mapped flood zones; the Parker River and Merrimack River also border sections of town. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for NewburySmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Newbury Fire Department before the sale closes.
Plum Island and marsh areas sit in FEMA flood zones
Because part of Newbury lies on the barrier island of Plum Island and along the Great Marsh, buyers there should check the FEMA flood map and ask about flood insurance.
Massachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing
Sellers in Massachusetts need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. Contact the Newbury Fire Department to schedule the inspection.
Newbury is split into three separate sections
Old Town, Byfield and Plum Island function as distinct areas with different zip codes and character, so it's worth confirming which section a listing is in before comparing amenities or commute times.
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 Newbury?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Newbury address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Newbury: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Newbury: National Grid delivers electricity in Newbury; the town also runs a Community Choice Power Supply Program that sets the electricity supply source while National Grid continues to deliver power. for power.
- ElectricNational Grid delivers electricity in Newbury; the town also runs a Community Choice Power Supply Program that sets the electricity supply source while National Grid continues to deliver power.
- Trash and recyclingNewbury residents receive weekly curbside trash and biweekly recycling collection through hauler G. Mello Disposal, with materials placed curbside by 6 a.m. on collection day. A transfer station is also available in town for residents and non-residents.
- 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
G. Mello Transfer Station
75 Boston Road, Newbury, MA 01951
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Newbury Town Hall is at 12 Kent Way, Byfield, MA 01922. Hours: Monday 8 am-4 pm, Tuesday 8 am-7 pm, Wednesday-Thursday 8 am-4 pm, Friday closed. Main line: 978-465-0862.
- Town HallMain line and website978-465-0862
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, elections and licensing.
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.
- Department of Public WorksRoads and town infrastructure.
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections, well regulations and health permits.
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention, suppression and inspections, including smoke/CO certificates.
- Newbury Town LibraryThe town's public library.
- Triton Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Newbury, Rowley and Salisbury.
Newbury, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Newbury, MA?
Newbury's FY2026 residential tax rate is $7.51 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 Newbury?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $3,004 a year at $7.51 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Newbury have a split tax rate?
No. Newbury uses a single rate of $7.51 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Newbury?
The average single-family tax bill in Newbury was $7,201 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $958,909.
What ZIP codes does Newbury use?
Old Town and Plum Island use 01951; Byfield uses 01922.
Is trash pickup curbside in Newbury?
Yes. Newbury has weekly curbside trash and biweekly recycling collection through G. Mello Disposal, and a transfer station is also available.
Who supplies electricity in Newbury?
National Grid delivers electricity; the town also runs a Community Choice Power Supply Program that sets the electricity supply source.
How far is Newbury from Boston?
Newbury is about 32 miles north-northeast of Boston.
Is there public transit near Newbury?
The MBTA Commuter Rail Newburyport/Rockport Line terminates nearby in Newburyport; Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1 pass through Newbury.
What are Newbury's three sections?
Old Town (Newbury Center), Byfield, and Plum Island, each with its own character and, in Byfield's case, its own ZIP code.
Towns near Newbury
Neighbors of Newbury, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Newbury, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Newbury, MA official website: newburyma.gov
- Newbury Transfer Station - G. Mello Disposal Corp.: mellodisposal.com
- Newbury Community Choice Power Supply Program - Colonial Power Group: colonialpowergroup.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.
- Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.