First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Hampshire County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Pelham, Massachusetts
Pelham is a Hampshire County hill town settled in 1738 and incorporated in 1743, just east of Amherst. It is best known as the home of Daniel Shays, who helped plan Shays' Rebellion at Conkey's Tavern in town in 1786-87, and for its town hall, which is the oldest in continuous use in the United States. The town's eastern boundary follows the former path of the Swift River's West Branch, now under the Quabbin Reservoir.
Pelham at a glance
- $18.79Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $9,213Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- HampshireCounty
- 1743Year incorporated
Pelham's zip code
Pelham primarily uses ZIP code 01002 (shared with Amherst); some addresses near Belchertown use 01007.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Pelham center | 01002 | The town center, part of the Town Hall Historic District, where Town Hall, the fire department and the library are located. |
Things to do in Pelham, MA
Start with Pelham Town Hall and Buffam Falls Conservation Area, then 1 more below.
Pelham Town Hall
The oldest town hall in continuous use in the United States; Pelham's annual town meetings are still held here.
351 Amherst Rd, Pelham, MA 01002
Buffam Falls Conservation Area
A conservation area along the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail with a waterfall and hiking access.
Amherst Rd, Pelham, MA
Pelham Free Public Library
The town's public library on South Valley Road.
2 South Valley Rd, Pelham, MA 01002
Plan a visit
A little history
Pelham was settled in 1738 and incorporated in 1743.
Daniel Shays, leader of Shays' Rebellion, planned the 1786-87 uprising against post-Revolutionary War debt and tax policy at Conkey's Tavern in Pelham; the rebellion drew support from towns across central and western Massachusetts before being dispersed near Petersham.
Pelham's town hall is the oldest in continuous use in the United States, and the town's eastern border now follows the former path of the Swift River's West Branch, which was altered by the construction of the Quabbin Reservoir.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Pelham
Pelham's hills sit along the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail corridor, and the town's eastern edge borders the Quabbin Reservoir watershed.
- Buffam Falls Conservation AreaA waterfall and conservation land on the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail.
- Quabbin Reservoir watershedPelham's eastern boundary runs along the reservoir's watershed, following the former West Branch of the Swift River.
Walkability and getting around Pelham
Pelham center is a small cluster of civic buildings with no significant sidewalk network; the town is rural hill-town terrain built for driving.
Drive times
- Amherst, about 6 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Pelham has no fixed-route public transit confirmed and no train station; it is about 6 miles from downtown Amherst.
Pelham property taxes
Pelham's FY2026 residential tax rate is $18.79 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,879 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $9,213, on an average assessed value of $490,319.
Pelham's FY2026 tax rates
$18.79per $1,000, residential
- Residential$18.79 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$490,319
- Average single-family tax bill$9,213
- 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 | $20.56 |
| FY2023 | $17.86 |
| FY2024 | $17.52 |
| FY2025 | $16.97 |
| FY2026 | $18.79 |
Look up a Pelham property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-253-7129 ext. 2
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Pelham
What we check on a Pelham purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, well & septic, quabbin watershed.
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 PelhamSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Pelham Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 413-253-3311 to schedule.
Pelham Fire Department pageHomes typically use private wells and septic
Pelham's Board of Health handles septic installation, repair and hauler licensing along with private well permits, with Title 5 questions referred to the Quabbin Health District. No town water or sewer department was found, so most properties likely rely on private wells and septic.
Eastern Pelham borders the Quabbin Reservoir watershed
Pelham's eastern boundary follows the former West Branch of the Swift River, now part of the Quabbin Reservoir watershed, which can affect land use near that edge of town.
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 Pelham?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Pelham address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Pelham: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Pelham.
- 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
Pelham Town Hall is at 351 Amherst Rd, Pelham, MA 01002. Hours: Offices closed Fridays; call ahead to confirm staffing. Main line: 413-253-7129.
- Town HallMain line and website413-253-7129
- Town ClerkVital records and elections.413-253-7129 ext. 4
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments.413-253-7129 ext. 2
- Collector/TreasurerProperty tax payments.413-253-7129 ext. 3
- Inspection ServicesBuilding permits and inspections.
- Board of HealthSeptic hauler/installer licenses, septic installations and private well permits; Title 5 questions go through the Quabbin Health District.413-967-9615
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and inspections.413-253-3311
- Department of Public WorksRoad maintenance, plowing and drainage.413-253-5245
- Pelham Free Public LibraryThe town's public library.413-253-0657
- Amherst-Pelham Regional School DistrictPelham Elementary School (K-5) is in town; Amherst Regional Middle School and Amherst Regional High School serve grades 6-12.
Pelham, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Pelham, MA?
Pelham's FY2026 residential tax rate is $18.79 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 Pelham?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $7,516 a year at $18.79 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Pelham have a split tax rate?
No. Pelham uses a single rate of $18.79 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Pelham?
The average single-family tax bill in Pelham was $9,213 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $490,319.
What county is Pelham, MA in?
Pelham is in Hampshire County.
What ZIP code does Pelham use?
Most of Pelham uses 01002, shared with Amherst; some areas near Belchertown use 01007.
How far is Pelham from Amherst?
Pelham center is about 6 miles from downtown Amherst.
What school district serves Pelham?
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School District. Pelham Elementary School (K-5) is in town, with Amherst Regional Middle and High School for grades 6-12.
What is Pelham known for historically?
Pelham is where Daniel Shays helped plan Shays' Rebellion at Conkey's Tavern in 1786-87, and its town hall is the oldest in continuous use in the United States.
Does Pelham border the Quabbin Reservoir?
Pelham's eastern boundary follows the former West Branch of the Swift River, now part of the Quabbin Reservoir watershed.
Towns near Pelham
Neighbors of Pelham, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Pelham, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Pelham, MA official website: pelhamma.gov
- Board of Health - Town of Pelham: pelhamma.gov
- Fire Department - Town of Pelham: pelhamma.gov
- Public Library - Town of Pelham: pelhamma.gov
- Town Offices Hours of Operation - Town of Pelham: pelhamma.gov
- Old Pelham 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: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.