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 loansLiving in Princeton, Massachusetts
Princeton is a hill town in north Worcester County, incorporated in 1759 and centered on the town common at the intersection of Routes 62 and 31. Mount Wachusett straddles Princeton's border with Westminster, giving the town its ski area, state reservation land and elevation.
Princeton at a glance
- $13.44Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $8,050Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 25-30 minDrive to Worcester
- WorcesterCounty
Princeton's villages and zip codes
Princeton uses a single ZIP code, 01541, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton center | 01541 | Around Bagg Hall (Town Hall) at the town common, at the intersection of Routes 62, 31 and Mountain Road. |
| East Princeton | 01541 | A historic village area in the eastern part of town. |
Things to do in Princeton, MA
Start with Wachusett Mountain Ski Area and Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, then 2 more below.
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
A four-season mountain resort on Mount Wachusett with downhill skiing and snowboarding in winter and a scenic chairlift and trails in warmer months.
499 Mountain Rd, Princeton, MA
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
A state reservation covering Mount Wachusett's summit and slopes, with hiking trails, a summit road and views across central Massachusetts.
345 Mountain Rd, Princeton, MA
Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary
A Mass Audubon sanctuary with meadow and woodland trails bordering the state reservation.
113 Goodnow Rd, Princeton, MA
Redemption Rock
A boulder marking the site where colonist Mary Rowlandson was ransomed in 1676 during King Philip's War, now a small roadside historic property.
Route 140, Princeton, MA
A little history
Princeton was first settled in 1743 and incorporated as a town in 1759, taking its name from the Reverend Thomas Prince.
The town later annexed land from Hubbardston in 1810 and from Westminster in 1870.
Redemption Rock on Route 140 marks the 1676 ransom of colonist Mary Rowlandson during King Philip's War.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Princeton
Mount Wachusett dominates Princeton's outdoor recreation, from downhill skiing in winter to hiking and wildlife-sanctuary trails the rest of the year.
- Wachusett Mountain Ski AreaDownhill skiing, snowboarding and a scenic chairlift on Mount Wachusett.
- Wachusett Mountain State ReservationHiking trails and summit views on the state-owned portion of the mountain.
- Wachusett Meadow Wildlife SanctuaryMass Audubon meadow and woodland trails adjoining the state reservation.
Walkability and getting around Princeton
Princeton's town center around the common has limited sidewalks connecting Town Hall, the library and a few businesses, and most of the town, spread across a large rural area, is built for driving.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 15 miles25-30 min
- Worcester Regional Airport, about 18 miles30-35 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Princeton has no fixed-route public bus service or train station confirmed by official sources.
Princeton property taxes
Princeton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.44 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,344 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $8,050, on an average assessed value of $598,967.
Princeton's FY2026 tax rates
$13.44per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.44 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$598,967
- Average single-family tax bill$8,050
- 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 | $15.68 |
| FY2023 | $15.14 |
| FY2024 | $14.03 |
| FY2025 | $14.53 |
| FY2026 | $13.44 |
Look up a Princeton property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-464-2100
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Princeton
What we check on a Princeton purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, wells & septic, municipal electric, no town trash service.
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 PrincetonSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Princeton Fire and EMS before the sale closes. Call 978-464-2100 to schedule.
Princeton Fire and EMS pageRural parcels rely on private wells and septic
Princeton has no town water or sewer system for most of its area; homes typically use private wells and septic systems. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before most home sales.
Princeton runs its own municipal light department
Electric service in Princeton comes from the town-owned Princeton Municipal Light Department rather than a private utility such as Eversource or National Grid, which can affect rate plans and outage reporting.
Trash pickup is private, not municipal
Princeton does not run a town trash program. Residents contract individually with a licensed private hauler for curbside pickup. Buyers should budget for this as a private monthly cost.
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 Princeton?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Princeton address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Princeton: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Princeton: Princeton Municipal Light Department (PMLD) for power.
- ElectricPrinceton Municipal Light Department (PMLD)
- WaterMostly private wells
- Trash and recyclingPrinceton has no town trash service. Residents contract individually with a licensed private hauler (Allied Waste, E.L. Harvey & Sons, or Waste Management) for curbside pickup, or use a private transfer station.
- 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
Princeton Town Hall is at 6 Town Hall Drive, Princeton, MA 01541. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. Main line: 978-464-2100.
- Town HallMain line and website978-464-2100
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.978-464-2103
- AssessorProperty values and assessments (Finance Department).978-464-2100
- Tax Collector / TreasurerProperty tax billing and payment (Finance Department).978-464-2100
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.978-464-2100
- Fire and EMSFire safety, inspections and smoke-certificate compliance.978-464-2100
- Princeton Municipal Light DepartmentThe town's municipal electric utility.
- Highway DepartmentRoads and town infrastructure.
- Parks & RecreationTown parks and recreation programs.
- Princeton Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- Wachusett Regional School DistrictThe town's regional school district (Wachusett Regional High School in Holden).
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, wells and permits
Princeton, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Princeton, MA?
Princeton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.44 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 Princeton?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,376 a year at $13.44 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Princeton have a split tax rate?
No. Princeton uses a single rate of $13.44 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Princeton?
The average single-family tax bill in Princeton was $8,050 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $598,967.
What county is Princeton, MA in?
Princeton is in Worcester County.
What ZIP code does Princeton use?
Princeton uses a single ZIP code, 01541, for the whole town.
Is trash pickup curbside in Princeton?
There is no town trash service. Residents contract with a licensed private hauler, such as Allied Waste, E.L. Harvey & Sons, or Waste Management, for curbside pickup.
Who supplies electricity in Princeton?
The Princeton Municipal Light Department, a town-owned utility, supplies electricity to Princeton.
How far is Princeton from Worcester?
Princeton is about 15 miles from Worcester, roughly a 25-30 minute drive.
What are Town Hall's hours?
Princeton Town Hall, at 6 Town Hall Drive, is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Towns near Princeton
Neighbors of Princeton, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Princeton, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Princeton official website - Departments: princetonma.gov
- Town of Princeton official website - Contact: princetonma.gov
- Trash and Recycling - Town of Princeton: princetonma.gov
- Princeton Municipal Light Department - Town of Princeton: princetonma.gov
- 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.