Living in Peru, Massachusetts

Peru is a hill town in the central Berkshires with the highest mean elevation of any town in Massachusetts, at about 2,064 feet. First settled in 1767 and incorporated in 1771 as Partridgefield, it was renamed Peru in 1806 on the suggestion of the Rev. John Leland, who compared its mountainous terrain to Peru in South America. State forest land covers much of the town's southern section.

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated September 25, 2026

Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0

Peru at a glance

$16.09Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
$4,689Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
25-30 minDrive to Pittsfield
BerkshireCounty

Peru's zip code

Peru uses ZIP code 01235.

Peru villages and zip codes
Area	Zip code	Where it is
Peru center	01235	Along East Main Road, home to Town Hall and the transfer station.

Things to do in Peru, MA

Start with Garnet Peak memorial.

Garnet Peak memorial
A 1946 monument on Garnet Peak (also called Garnet Hill) lists the names of the 16 men who died when a C-53 transport plane crashed there in low visibility on August 15, 1942.
Free
Garnet Peak, Peru, MA

A little history

The town was first settled in 1767 and incorporated in 1771 as Partridgefield, named for Oliver Partridge, one of its original purchasers.

The name was changed to Peru in 1806 at the suggestion of the Rev. John Leland, who said it resembled the Peru of South America as a mountain town.

On August 15, 1942, a C-53 Skytrooper transport plane bound for Hyannis crashed on Garnet Peak in low-visibility conditions, killing 16 of the 19 men aboard; a monument was installed near the site in 1946.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Peru

Peru's high, forested terrain includes Garnet Peak and state forest land across its southern section, making it one of the highest and most rural towns in the Berkshires.

Garnet PeakA high point in town and the site of a 1942 plane crash memorial.

Walkability and getting around Peru

Peru has no walkable commercial center; the town is rural, high-elevation, and built for driving.

Peru center

3 East Main Road, Peru, MA 01235

Drive times

Pittsfield, about 13 miles25-30 min
Bradley International Airport, about 60 miles70-80 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

Peru has no fixed-route public bus or rail service; the nearest Amtrak station is in Pittsfield.

Peru property taxes

Peru's FY2026 residential tax rate is $16.09 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,609 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,689, on an average assessed value of $291,441.

Peru's FY2026 tax rates

$16.09per $1,000, residential

Residential$16.09 per $1,000
Average single-family assessed value$291,441
Average single-family tax bill$4,689
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	$18.32
FY2023	$17.50
FY2024	$16.51
FY2025	$15.95
FY2026	$16.09

Look up a Peru property

FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
Town ClerkVital records and town records
Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-655-8312
Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county

Buying a home in Peru

What we check on a Peru purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, well & septic, smoke certificate.

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Berkshire County. We check them with you before you shop.

MassHousing home loans

Flood maps

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 Peru

Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Peru Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 413-655-8312 to schedule.

Peru Fire Department page

Well & septic

Most properties use private wells and septic systems

Peru has no confirmed town-wide water or sewer system, so most properties rely on private wells and septic systems. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before a home on septic can be sold.

Smoke certificate

Fire department inspection required before closing

Massachusetts sellers need a smoke and carbon monoxide detector certificate from the local fire department before closing.

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 Peru?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Peru address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Call (860) 398-5268 Text us Email the team

Compare loan options Our process

Moving to Peru: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Peru: Eversource for power.

ElectricEversource
Natural gasNo natural gas service confirmed
WaterMostly private wells
Sewer or septicNo town sewer system confirmed; properties rely on individual septic systems
Trash and recyclingPeru residents bring trash and recycling to the town Transfer Station on East Main Road; an annual permit is required.
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

Peru Transfer Station

9 East Main Road, Peru, MA 01235 May 1-Oct 31: Saturday 8:00 AM-2:30 PM, Wednesday 4:00-6:30 PM; Nov 1-Apr 30: Saturday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (closed Wednesdays)

$50 annual permit (FY2027) includes 52 free bag stickers; additional stickers $1 each; permits expire June 30

Transfer station details

Town Hall offices and contacts

Peru Town Hall is at 3 East Main Road, Peru, MA 01235. Main line: 413-655-8312.

Peru, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Peru, MA?

Peru's FY2026 residential tax rate is $16.09 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 Peru?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,436 a year at $16.09 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Peru have a split tax rate?

No. Peru uses a single rate of $16.09 per $1,000 for all property classes.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Peru?

The average single-family tax bill in Peru was $4,689 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $291,441.

What county is Peru, MA in?

Peru is in Berkshire County.

What ZIP code does Peru use?

Peru uses ZIP code 01235.

How far is Peru from Pittsfield?

Peru is about 13 miles from Pittsfield, roughly a 25-30 minute drive.

Who supplies electricity in Peru?

Eversource is the electric utility.

Is there curbside trash pickup in Peru?

No confirmed curbside service; residents use the town Transfer Station on East Main Road with an annual permit.

Is there public transit in Peru?

No. Peru has no fixed-route bus or rail service; the nearest Amtrak station is in Pittsfield.

Towns near Peru

Neighbors of Peru, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources

Peru, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Town of Peru official website: townofperuma.com
Peru Transfer Station: townofperuma.com
Route 143 Eastbound at Peru Center 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.