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
Living in Richmond, Massachusetts
Richmond is a town in central Berkshire County bordering New York State, first settled in 1759 and incorporated as Richmont in 1765 before taking its current name in 1785. Yokun Ridge separates the town's historic village areas, and an 1829 iron ore discovery once drove local industry.
Richmond at a glance
- $10.25Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,630Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- BerkshireCounty
- 1765Year incorporated
Richmond's zip code
Richmond uses ZIP code 01254.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond center | 01254 | The town's main village center. |
Things to do in Richmond, MA
Start with Yokun Ridge and Richmond town center.
Yokun Ridge
A ridge separating Richmond's historic village areas, with informal hiking access in places.
Richmond, MA
Richmond town center
The town's small historic center along Massachusetts Route 41.
Richmond, MA
A little history
Richmond was first settled in 1759 by Micah Mudge and Ichabod Wood, and was incorporated as Richmont in 1765, later renamed Richmond in 1785.
The discovery of iron ore in Richmond in 1829 led to industrial development in the town.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Richmond
Green space in and around Richmond.
- Yokun RidgeA ridge running through town, separating its historic village areas.
Walkability and getting around Richmond
Richmond is a small rural town without a dense commercial center; most residents drive to Pittsfield or Lenox for shopping and dining.
Drive times
- Pittsfield
- Pittsfield Municipal Airport, about 5.5 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Richmond has no fixed-route public transit of its own; Berkshire Regional Transit Authority routes are centered on nearby Pittsfield. A CSX freight rail line passes through town, and Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) has an exit about 2 miles from the town center.
Richmond property taxes
Richmond's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.25 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,025 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,630, on an average assessed value of $646,796.
Richmond's FY2026 tax rates
$10.25per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.25 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$646,796
- Average single-family tax bill$6,630
- 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 | $12.74 |
| FY2023 | $10.66 |
| FY2024 | $9.73 |
| FY2025 | $9.88 |
| FY2026 | $10.25 |
Look up a Richmond property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-553-7793
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Richmond
What we check on a Richmond purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, title 5 septic, private wells.
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 RichmondSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Richmond Fire Department before the sale closes.
Richmond Fire Department pageSeptic systems are common outside the village center
Much of Richmond relies on private septic systems. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 inspection before a septic-served home can be sold, so buyers should plan for that step early.
Many homes use private wells
Richmond has limited public water infrastructure outside its center, so many properties rely on private wells. Ask about well testing and yield before making an offer.
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 Richmond?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Richmond address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Richmond: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Richmond: Eversource (Western Massachusetts Electric) for power.
- ElectricEversource (Western Massachusetts Electric)
- Trash and recyclingRichmond provides curbside trash and recycling collection on a published schedule.
- 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
Richmond Town Hall is at 1751 State Road, Richmond, MA 01254. Main line: 413-553-7793.
- Town HallMain line and website413-553-7793
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.413-553-7793
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments.413-553-7793
- Treasurer/Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.413-553-7793
- Building & Zoning EnforcementBuilding permits and zoning enforcement.
- Planning BoardLand-use planning.
- Board of HealthSeptic (Title 5) and well permitting.
- Fire DepartmentFire protection and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.
- Recreation CommitteeTown recreation programs.
- Department of Public WorksRoads and town infrastructure.
- LibraryThe town's public library.
Richmond, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Richmond, MA?
Richmond's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.25 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 Richmond?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,100 a year at $10.25 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Richmond have a split tax rate?
No. Richmond uses a single rate of $10.25 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Richmond?
The average single-family tax bill in Richmond was $6,630 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $646,796.
What county is Richmond, MA in?
Richmond is in Berkshire County, in the central Berkshires.
What ZIP code does Richmond use?
Richmond uses ZIP code 01254.
Who supplies electricity in Richmond?
Eversource (Western Massachusetts Electric) serves Richmond.
Does Richmond have curbside trash pickup?
Yes. Richmond provides curbside trash and recycling collection on a published schedule.
How far is Richmond from the Pittsfield Municipal Airport?
The Pittsfield Municipal Airport is about 5.5 miles from Richmond.
Which towns border Richmond?
Richmond borders Hancock and Pittsfield to the north and east, Lenox to the east, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge to the south, and Canaan, New York, to the west.
Towns near Richmond
Neighbors of Richmond, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Richmond, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Richmond official website: richmondma.org
- Foliage in Richmond photo, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Eversource - Massachusetts communities served: eversource.com
- 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: Croosadabilia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.