Norton Center
72 East Main Street, Norton, MA 02766
Living in Norton, Massachusetts
Norton is a town in Bristol County first settled in 1669 as "North Taunton" and officially established on March 17, 1710, when it was renamed for Norton, Oxfordshire, England. The Wading and Canoe rivers feed the Norton Reservoir, which the town shares with Mansfield, and Norton is home to Wheaton College and Winnecunnet Pond, a kettle pond formed more than 13,000 years ago.
Norton at a glance
- $13.03Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $7,367Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Taunton
- BristolCounty
Norton's villages and zip codes
Norton uses ZIP code 02766 for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Norton Center | 02766 | The town center, home to Town Hall and Wheaton College. |
| Chartley | 02766 | A village in the southwestern part of town. |
Things to do in Norton, MA
Start with Wheaton College and Lake Winnecunnet, then 1 more below.
Wheaton College
A private liberal arts college in Norton Center with a walkable campus, an art gallery and public lectures and performances open to the community.
26 East Main Street, Norton, MA 02766
Plan a visitLake Winnecunnet
Norton's only natural body of water, a kettle pond classified as having formed more than 13,000 years ago.
Norton Reservoir
A reservoir spanning the Norton-Mansfield town line, fed by the Wading and Canoe rivers.
More worth a visit
- Norton Public LibraryThe town's public library.Website
A little history
First settled in 1669 as "North Taunton," the town was officially established on March 17, 1710, and renamed Norton after Norton, Oxfordshire, England.
During King Philip's War, the area was the site of events involving the female sachem Weetamoo.
Norton hosted the PGA Tour's Dell Technologies Championship at TPC Boston on Labor Day weekend each year until 2018.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Norton
Norton's water features include a natural kettle pond and a shared reservoir, both fed by the Wading and Canoe rivers.
- Lake WinnecunnetA kettle pond that is Norton's only natural body of water.
- Norton ReservoirA reservoir on the Norton-Mansfield line, used for recreation.
- Wading RiverOne of two rivers that feed Norton Reservoir.
- Canoe RiverThe other river that feeds Norton Reservoir.
Walkability and getting around Norton
Norton Center, around Town Hall and the Wheaton College campus, is walkable, but most of the rest of this largely residential town is built for driving.
Chartley
Drive times
- Taunton, about 9 miles15-20 min
- T.F. Green International Airport, about 28 miles40-45 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) runs bus service in Norton. The Middleboro Subdivision freight rail line passes through town, but there is no active passenger rail station. Interstate 495 and Massachusetts Routes 123 and 140 pass through Norton.
Norton property taxes
Norton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.03 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $13.84. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,303 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $7,367, on an average assessed value of $565,417.
Norton's FY2026 tax rates
$13.03per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.03 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$13.84 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$565,417
- Average single-family tax bill$7,367
- 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 | $14.26 |
| FY2023 | $12.99 |
| FY2024 | $12.95 |
| FY2025 | $12.97 |
| FY2026 | $13.03 |
Look up a Norton property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-285-0200
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Norton
What we check on a Norton purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke certificate, wells and septic.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Bristol County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
The Wading and Canoe rivers feed Norton Reservoir, and low-lying land near the reservoir and the rivers can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for NortonSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Norton Fire Department before the sale closes.
Fire inspection required before closing
Massachusetts law requires a smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspection and certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. Ask early, since scheduling can take time.
Ask about water and sewer coverage
Norton's Water & Sewer Department serves parts of town, but not every property is on public water and sewer. Where a home is on a private well or septic system, a Title 5 inspection is required before sale.
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 Norton?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Norton address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Norton: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Norton.
- WaterNorton Water & Sewer Department
- Sewer or septicNorton Water & Sewer Department
- 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
Norton Town Hall is at 72 East Main Street, Norton, MA 02766. Hours: Monday-Wednesday 8:30 am-4:30 pm; Thursday 8:30 am-7:30 pm; Friday 8:30 am-12:30 pm. Main line: 508-285-0200.
- Town HallMain line and website508-285-0200
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments508-285-0200
- Tax CollectorProperty tax bills and payments508-285-0200
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and licensing508-285-0200
- Building DepartmentPermits and inspections
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections, wells and smoke-certificate coordination
- Water & Sewer DepartmentWater and sewer service
- Norton Public LibraryThe town's public library
- Norton Public SchoolsThe town's school district
Norton, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Norton, MA?
Norton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.03 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $13.84. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Norton?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,212 a year at $13.03 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Norton have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $13.03 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $13.84.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Norton?
The average single-family tax bill in Norton was $7,367 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $565,417.
What ZIP code does Norton use?
02766 for the whole town, including the Norton Center and Chartley villages.
Is Wheaton College in Norton?
Yes. The private liberal arts college is in Norton Center, near Town Hall.
Does Norton have passenger rail service?
No. A freight line, the Middleboro Subdivision, passes through town, but there is no active commuter or passenger rail station.
How far is Norton from Taunton and Providence?
About 9 miles to Taunton and 15 miles to Providence, Rhode Island, according to Wikipedia's town article.
What bus service is available in Norton?
The Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) runs local bus routes in town.
Towns near Norton
Neighbors of Norton, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Wikipedia, "Norton, Massachusetts": en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Norton official website: nortonma.gov
- Norton Public Library: nortonlibrary.org
- Driving distances calculated by routing between municipal building coordinates (OpenStreetMap Nominatim / OSRM): openstreetmap.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.
- Checked September 25, 2026.