Phillipston center
50 The Common, Phillipston, MA 01331
Living in Phillipston, Massachusetts
Phillipston is a small town in Worcester County's North Quabbin area, first settled in 1751 and incorporated on October 20, 1786 under the name Gerry, after politician Elbridge Gerry. The town was renamed Phillipston on February 5, 1814, after William Phillips Jr., the tenth lieutenant governor of Massachusetts.
Phillipston at a glance
- $10.95Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $4,724Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Gardner
- WorcesterCounty
Phillipston's zip code
Phillipston uses the 01331 zip code.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Phillipston center | 01331 | Around The Common, with Town Hall, the Congregational Church, and the Phillips Free Public Library. |
Things to do in Phillipston, MA
Start with Phillipston Center Historic District and Elliot Laurel Reservation, then 2 more below.
Phillipston Center Historic District
A historic district around The Common, listed on the National Register in 1999, including Town Hall and the Congregational Church.
The Common, Phillipston, MA
Elliot Laurel Reservation
A property gifted to The Trustees of Reservations in 1941.
Phillipston, MA
Plan a visitPhillips Free Public Library
The town's public library, founded in 1860.
Phillipston, MA
Searles Hill Cemetery
A historic cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
Phillipston, MA
A little history
Phillipston was first settled in 1751 and incorporated on October 20, 1786, originally under the name Gerry, after politician Elbridge Gerry.
The town was renamed Phillipston on February 5, 1814, after William Phillips Jr., the tenth lieutenant governor of Massachusetts.
The Elliot Laurel property was gifted to The Trustees of Reservations in 1941.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Phillipston
Phillipston's public conservation land includes the Elliot Laurel Reservation, held by The Trustees of Reservations.
- Elliot Laurel ReservationTrustees of Reservations land gifted to the organization in 1941.More information
Walkability and getting around Phillipston
Phillipston center around The Common is walkable at a small scale, but the town overall has no commercial district and is built around driving.
Drive times
- Gardner, about 9 miles15-20 min
- Worcester Regional Airport, about 30 miles40-45 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Phillipston has no fixed-route public bus or passenger rail service.
Phillipston property taxes
Phillipston's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.95 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,095 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,724, on an average assessed value of $431,391.
Phillipston's FY2026 tax rates
$10.95per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.95 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$431,391
- Average single-family tax bill$4,724
- 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 | $15.58 |
| FY2023 | $12.84 |
| FY2024 | $11.98 |
| FY2025 | $11.27 |
| FY2026 | $10.95 |
Look up a Phillipston property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-249-1732
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Phillipston
What we check on a Phillipston purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, wells & septic, transfer station, not curbside.
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 loansCheck the flood zone first
Flood zones are set address by address. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for PhillipstonSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Phillipston Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-249-6302 to schedule.
Phillipston Fire Department pageMassachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing
Sellers need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before a sale can close. The Phillipston Fire Department handles these inspections.
No town water or sewer system
Phillipston has no townwide public water or sewer system, so buyers should plan for well and septic inspections, including a Title 5 septic inspection before closing.
Trash goes to the town transfer station
Phillipston does not offer curbside trash pickup; residents buy a sticker and bring trash and recyclables to the transfer station on Templeton Road.
Phillipston Transfer StationAll 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 Phillipston?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Phillipston address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Phillipston: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Phillipston: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Natural gasNo natural gas service confirmed; homes typically use propane, oil, or electric heat
- WaterMostly private wells
- Sewer or septicNo town sewer system; properties rely on private septic systems
- Trash and recyclingPhillipston residents bring trash and recyclables to the town transfer station rather than using curbside pickup.
- 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
Phillipston Transfer Station
60 Templeton Road, Phillipston, MA 01331 Wednesday 3:00-6:00pm; Saturday 7:45am-1:45pm
$40 sticker valid two years, plus $5 for each additional sticker (up to two per household); check or money order only
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Phillipston Town Hall is at 50 The Common, Phillipston, MA 01331. Main line: 978-249-6828.
- Town HallMain line and website978-249-6828
- Board of SelectmenTown governance.978-249-6828
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.978-249-1732
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-249-1731
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.978-249-1733
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and emergency response; issues smoke and CO certificates for home sales.978-249-6302
- Board of HealthSeptic, well, and food permitting.978-249-1735
- Highway DepartmentRoads and highway maintenance.978-249-6851
- Phillips Free Public LibraryThe town's public library, founded in 1860.978-249-1734
- Narragansett Regional School DistrictRegional school district serving Phillipston.
Phillipston, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Phillipston, MA?
Phillipston's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.95 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 Phillipston?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,380 a year at $10.95 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Phillipston have a split tax rate?
No. Phillipston uses a single rate of $10.95 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Phillipston?
The average single-family tax bill in Phillipston was $4,724 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $431,391.
What ZIP code does Phillipston use?
Phillipston uses ZIP code 01331.
Is trash pickup curbside or a transfer station in Phillipston?
Phillipston uses a transfer station on Templeton Road rather than curbside pickup; a sticker costs $40 for two years.
Who supplies electricity in Phillipston?
National Grid is the electric utility serving Phillipston.
How far is Phillipston from Gardner?
Phillipston is roughly 9 miles from Gardner, about a 15-20 minute drive.
What school district serves Phillipston?
Phillipston is part of the Narragansett Regional School District.
Is there public transit in Phillipston?
No. Phillipston has no fixed-route bus or passenger rail service.
Towns near Phillipston
Neighbors of Phillipston, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Phillipston, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Phillipston official website: phillipston-ma.gov
- Directory - Phillipston, MA: phillipston-ma.gov
- Transfer Station - Phillipston, MA: phillipston-ma.gov
- AxisGIS - Phillipston, MA: axisgis.com
- MassDOT Utility Contacts by District/Municipality: hwy.massdot.state.ma.us
- Congregational Church, Phillipston MA.jpg, 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-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.