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 Northbridge, Massachusetts
Northbridge is a town in the Blackstone Valley of Worcester County, made up of several distinct mill villages rather than one town center. It was part of Mendon and then Uxbridge before its own incorporation in 1772, and its village of Whitinsville grew around the Whitin Machine Works, once the world's largest maker of textile machinery. The Blackstone and Mumford Rivers run through town, and the Blackstone River Bikeway and canal towpath trails follow the old canal route.
Northbridge at a glance
- $11.63Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,922Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-25 minDrive to Worcester
- WorcesterCounty
Northbridge's villages and zip codes
Northbridge uses three ZIP codes: 01534 for Northbridge Center, 01588 for Whitinsville, and 01525 for Linwood.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Whitinsville | 01588 | The town's largest village, built around the former Whitin Machine Works site along the Mumford River. |
| Linwood | 01525 | A mill village in the southeastern part of town. |
| Northbridge Center | 01534 | The historic town center area. |
| Rockdale and Riverdale | 01588 | Smaller mill villages along the Blackstone River, served by WRTA Route A. |
Things to do in Northbridge, MA
Start with Blackstone River Bikeway and Canal Towpath and Whitin Community Center, then 1 more below.
Blackstone River Bikeway and Canal Towpath
An off-road path along the former Blackstone Canal, with a natural-surface trailhead at Plummer's Landing on Church Street that connects to the Canal Towpath and Goat Hill Lock. Used for walking, biking, and wildlife viewing, with canoe and kayak access points.
Plummer's Landing trailhead, Church St, Northbridge, MA
Whitin Community Center
A community center on a former 11-acre estate that opened in 1922, with an Olympic-length competition swimming pool and one of the region's largest child care programs.
60 Main St, Whitinsville, MA
Whitinsville mill village
The former Whitin Machine Works village, recognized as a mill village of national historic significance by the Blackstone River Valley National Historic Corridor Commission, with 19th- and early-20th-century mill and worker-housing architecture.
Whitinsville, MA
More worth a visit
- Pine Grove CemeteryA 35-acre cemetery established in 1878 on Linwood Avenue.
Around the calendar
- JulyNorthbridge FireworksAn annual Fourth of July-season fireworks display at Northbridge Middle School with live music and food vendors.
A little history
The area was first settled by Europeans in 1704 and was part of Mendon from 1667 to 1726 and part of Uxbridge from 1727 until Northbridge was incorporated on its own on July 14, 1772.
The Whitin Machine Works operated in the village of Whitinsville from 1831 to 1964 and was, at its peak, the largest manufacturer of textile machinery in the world.
The Blackstone Canal, built in the 1820s, ran through Northbridge; its towpath is now part of the Blackstone River Bikeway.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Northbridge
The Blackstone and Mumford Rivers, along with the old Blackstone Canal towpath, give Northbridge most of its outdoor recreation.
- Blackstone River BikewayA regional off-road path along the Blackstone River used for biking, walking, and fishing.
- Canal Towpath and Goat Hill LockA natural-surface trail from Plummer's Landing along the historic Blackstone Canal towpath.
- Mumford RiverRuns through Whitinsville and feeds the ponds and former mill sites in the village.
Where to eat in Northbridge: restaurants and coffee
3 places in Northbridge to try, including coffee shop and cafe and pizza restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
Honeysuckle Roastery & Cafe
Coffee shop and cafe
A coffee roaster and cafe serving espresso drinks, pastries, and light food.
670 Linwood Ave, Whitinsville, MA 01588 · honeysuckleroasterycafe.com/whitinsville
Village House of Pizza
Pizza restaurant
A family-owned pizza shop established in 1984, serving pizza, homemade pasta, subs, and burgers.
199 N Main St, Whitinsville, MA 01588
New England Pizza & Subs
Pizza and sub shop
A pizza and sub shop on Providence Road in Whitinsville.
1115 Providence Rd, Whitinsville, MA 01588 · newenglandpizzama.com
Walkability and getting around Northbridge
Whitinsville's village core has sidewalks connecting the Whitin Community Center, churches, and shops along Main Street, but most of Northbridge's villages are spread out and built for driving.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 12 miles20-25 min
- Worcester Regional Airport, about 10 miles20-25 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
WRTA Route A runs through Northbridge, with stops including the Northbridge Senior Center, New Village in Whitinsville, and the Riverdale and Rockdale villages. Northbridge has no train station; the nearest is in Worcester.
Northbridge property taxes
Northbridge's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.63 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,163 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,922, on an average assessed value of $509,218.
Northbridge's FY2026 tax rates
$11.63per $1,000, residential
- Residential$11.63 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$509,218
- Average single-family tax bill$5,922
- 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 | $13.77 |
| FY2023 | $12.96 |
| FY2024 | $12.09 |
| FY2025 | $11.79 |
| FY2026 | $11.63 |
Look up a Northbridge property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Northbridge
What we check on a Northbridge purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, title 5 septic, smoke/co certificate, river flood zones.
Check the flood zone first
The Blackstone and Mumford Rivers run through Northbridge's village centers, putting some low-lying parcels near the rivers and former mill ponds in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for NorthbridgeSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Northbridge Fire Department before the sale closes.
Septic systems outside village sewer areas
Town sewer covers Whitinsville and other village centers, but some outlying parcels rely on septic systems, which need a Title 5 inspection through the Board of Health before a sale.
Fire department inspection before closing
Massachusetts sellers need a smoke and carbon monoxide alarm certificate of compliance from the local fire department before closing. Contact the Northbridge Fire Department to schedule the inspection.
Check FEMA flood maps near the Blackstone and Mumford Rivers
Parts of Northbridge's mill villages sit near the Blackstone or Mumford Rivers and former mill ponds. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the water.
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 Northbridge?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Northbridge address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Northbridge: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Northbridge: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Natural gasEversource (formerly NSTAR/Commonwealth Gas)
- WaterNorthbridge Water Department serves the town's developed villages
- Sewer or septicTown sewer serves Whitinsville and other village centers; some outlying parcels use septic systems.
- Trash and recyclingNorthbridge has no town transfer station or landfill. Residents subscribe to curbside trash pickup with a licensed private hauler, and each licensed hauler must also offer curbside recycling collection.
- 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
Northbridge Town Hall is at 7 Main St, Whitinsville, MA 01588. Main line: 508-234-2095.
- Town HallMain line and website508-234-2095
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic system permits and inspections, and trash and recycling questions.508-234-3272
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO alarm certificates required before a home sale.508-234-8448
- Northbridge Public SchoolsThe town's public school district.508-234-8156
Northbridge, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Northbridge, MA?
Northbridge's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.63 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 Northbridge?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,652 a year at $11.63 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Northbridge have a split tax rate?
No. Northbridge uses a single rate of $11.63 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Northbridge?
The average single-family tax bill in Northbridge was $5,922 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $509,218.
What county is Northbridge, MA in?
Northbridge is in Worcester County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP codes does Northbridge use?
Northbridge uses 01534 for Northbridge Center, 01588 for Whitinsville, and 01525 for Linwood.
Does Northbridge have curbside trash pickup?
There is no town transfer station. Residents subscribe to curbside trash and recycling pickup through a licensed private hauler.
Who supplies electricity in Northbridge?
National Grid provides electric service in Northbridge.
Is there public transit in Northbridge?
WRTA Route A serves Northbridge, including Whitinsville, Riverdale, and Rockdale. There is no train station in town.
How far is Northbridge from Worcester?
Northbridge is about 12 miles from Worcester, roughly a 20-25 minute drive.
Towns near Northbridge
Neighbors of Northbridge, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Northbridge, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Whitinsville, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Northbridge official website: northbridgemass.org
- Trash Disposal - Northbridge, MA: northbridgemass.org
- Northbridge Board of Health: northbridgemass.org
- Northbridge Fire Department: northbridgemass.org
- Northbridge Fire Department Annual Fireworks Display: northbridgefiredepartment.com
- WRTA Route A schedule: therta.com
- Northbridge Public Schools: nps.org
- Blackstone Bucket List - Blackstone Heritage Corridor: blackstoneheritagecorridor.org
- Northbridge 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: Pvmoutside, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.