First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Worcester County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Northborough, Massachusetts
Northborough is a town in Worcester County at the edge of MetroWest, reached from Worcester by way of Route 20 or Route 9 through Shrewsbury. It was set off from Westborough as a district in 1766 and became a fully independent town in 1775. Its town center along Main Street holds Town Hall, the library and the historic First Parish Church.
Northborough at a glance
- $14.82Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $10,461Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-25 minDrive to Worcester
- WorcesterCounty
Northborough's zip code
Northborough uses a single ZIP code, 01532, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Northborough center | 01532 | Along Main Street, where Town Hall, the library and First Parish Church are located. |
Things to do in Northborough, MA
Start with New England Baseball Complex and Northborough Free Library, then 1 more below.
New England Baseball Complex
A youth and amateur baseball complex at the intersection of Route 20 and Route 9, home field of the New England Ruffnecks and host to MIAA high school games.
Intersection of Route 20 and Route 9, Northborough, MA
Northborough Free Library
The town's public library, established in 1868, on Main Street in the town center.
34 Main St, Northborough, MA
Plan a visitNorthborough Applefest
An annual Rotary Club street fair held in town, with vendors, food and activities; it has been moved indoors to the Algonquin Regional High School gymnasium in past years when weather required it.
Northborough town center / Algonquin Regional High School
Plan a visit
Around the calendar
- September/OctoberNorthborough ApplefestAn annual Rotary Club street fair in Northborough's town center, with vendors, food, and family activities.
A little history
The area was settled by Europeans in 1656 after a petition by residents of Sudbury Plantation, on land previously inhabited by the Nipmuc people.
Northborough was set off from Westborough as its own district on January 23, 1766, and became a fully independent town with representation at the Massachusetts General Court in 1775.
The town's first meetinghouse was built in 1746; the Northborough Free Library was established in 1868.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Northborough
Northborough's outdoor recreation centers on its town-maintained parks, ballfields, and a network of conservation trails overseen by the Conservation Commission and Trails Committee.
- New England Baseball ComplexBallfields at Route 20 and Route 9 used by youth leagues and area high schools.
Walkability and getting around Northborough
Northborough's town center along Main Street has sidewalks connecting Town Hall, the library, and nearby churches, but most of the town, including its residential neighborhoods and Route 20/Route 9 commercial areas, is built for driving.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 12 miles20-25 min
- Worcester Regional Airport, about 12 miles20-25 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Northborough has no MBTA commuter rail station of its own; the nearest is Westborough station on the Framingham/Worcester Line. There is no confirmed fixed-route local bus service into the town center.
Northborough property taxes
Northborough's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.82 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,482 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $10,461, on an average assessed value of $705,851.
Northborough's FY2026 tax rates
$14.82per $1,000, residential
- Residential$14.82 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$705,851
- Average single-family tax bill$10,461
- 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 | $16.49 |
| FY2023 | $14.79 |
| FY2024 | $14.28 |
| FY2025 | $14.25 |
| FY2026 | $14.82 |
Look up a Northborough property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Northborough
What we check on a Northborough purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, pay as you throw.
Check the flood zone first
Flood zones are set address by address. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for NorthboroughSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Northborough Fire Department before the sale closes.
Trash requires purchased town bags
Northborough uses a Pay As You Throw system: residents buy designated green town trash bags at local stores ($20 for 5 large bags or $25 for 10 small bags) rather than paying a flat trash fee. Factor this into ongoing costs when budgeting for a home 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 Northborough?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Northborough address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Northborough: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Northborough: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Trash and recyclingNorthborough runs a Pay As You Throw (PAYT) program: curbside trash pickup is available to all residents who buy the town's designated green trash bags, sold at local stores for $20 per 5 large bags or $25 per 10 small bags. Trash is collected weekly and recycling every other week, and PAYT participants get curbside recycling at no extra charge. A $20 bulk item label is required for large burnable items.
- 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
Northborough Town Hall is at 63 Main St, Northborough, MA 01532. Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 8am-4pm; Tue 8am-7pm; Fri 7am-12pm. Main line: 508-393-5040.
- Town HallMain line and website508-393-5040
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic permits, restaurant sanitation, and environmental health.508-393-5040 x4
- Engineering / Public Works (Trash & Recycling)Administers the town's PAYT trash and recycling contract.508-393-5040 x6
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments.
- LibraryNorthborough Free Library.
- Northborough-Southborough Regional School DistrictShares Algonquin Regional High School with Southborough.
Northborough, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Northborough, MA?
Northborough's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.82 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 Northborough?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,928 a year at $14.82 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Northborough have a split tax rate?
No. Northborough uses a single rate of $14.82 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Northborough?
The average single-family tax bill in Northborough was $10,461 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $705,851.
What county is Northborough, MA in?
Northborough is in Worcester County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP code does Northborough use?
Northborough uses a single ZIP code, 01532, for the whole town.
Is Northborough's trash program pay-as-you-throw?
Yes. Residents buy the town's designated green trash bags ($20 per 5 large bags or $25 per 10 small bags) for curbside pickup, which also includes free curbside recycling.
Who supplies electricity in Northborough?
National Grid provides electric service in Northborough.
Is there a train station in Northborough?
No. The nearest MBTA commuter rail station is in Westborough, on the Framingham/Worcester Line.
How far is Northborough from Worcester?
Northborough is about 12 miles from Worcester, reached via Route 20 or Route 9 through Shrewsbury, roughly a 20-25 minute drive.
Towns near Northborough
Neighbors of Northborough, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Northborough, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Northborough official website: northboroughma.gov
- Trash & Recycling - Northborough, MA: northboroughma.gov
- Board of Health - Northborough, MA: northboroughma.gov
- Applefest 2026 Update - Northborough, MA: northboroughma.gov
- Westborough (MBTA station) - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- First Parish Church, Northborough 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 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.