Rockport center
34 Broadway, Rockport, MA 01966
Living in Rockport, Massachusetts
Rockport occupies the tip of Cape Ann in Essex County, about 40 miles northeast of Boston, bordered only by Gloucester and surrounded on all other sides by the Atlantic Ocean. Incorporated in 1840, it grew around granite quarrying and fishing and is now known for its harbor views, art galleries and the red fishing shack called Motif Number 1.
Rockport at a glance
- $8.46Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $8,548Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Gloucester
- EssexCounty
Rockport's villages and zip codes
The whole town uses ZIP code 01966.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rockport center | 01966 | The harbor area around Bearskin Neck and Dock Square, with Town Hall, shops, galleries and Motif Number 1. |
| Pigeon Cove | 01966 | A village on the eastern side of town, near Halibut Point State Park. |
Things to do in Rockport, MA
Start with Motif Number 1 and Halibut Point State Park, then 3 more below.
Motif Number 1
A red fishing shack on Bradley Wharf that has become one of the most-painted buildings in America; the current structure is a 1970s replica after a 1978 storm destroyed the original.
Bradley Wharf, Rockport, MA
Halibut Point State Park
A state park on a former granite quarry site at the northern tip of Cape Ann, with shoreline trails, tide pools and a flooded quarry.
Gott Avenue, Rockport, MA
Bearskin Neck
A narrow peninsula lined with shops, galleries and restaurants in former fishing shacks, jutting into the harbor.
Bearskin Neck, Rockport, MA
Paper House
A house built largely of rolled and varnished newspaper, a local curiosity open seasonally.
Pigeon Hill Street, Rockport, MA
Shalin Liu Performance Center
Rockport Music's concert hall overlooking the harbor, hosting chamber music, folk and other performances.
Rockport, MA
More worth a visit
- Rockport Art AssociationAn art association founded in 1921 with galleries and exhibitions in the town center.
- Thacher IslandAn offshore island with twin lighthouses, accessible by boat.
A little history
Richard Tarr is credited as the first European settler of the Rockport area in 1680, then part of Gloucester.
Rockport was set off from Gloucester and incorporated as its own town in 1840, after more than a century of growth around fishing and granite quarrying.
In 1856, a group of Rockport women famously used axes to destroy the town's liquor supply in a temperance protest; the town remained legally dry for about 149 years.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Rockport
Rockport's coastline defines its outdoor recreation, from the rocky shore north of Land's End to three sandy beaches to the south, plus Halibut Point State Park's former quarry and shoreline trails.
- Halibut Point State ParkTrails and a flooded former granite quarry at the tip of Cape Ann.
- Front Beach and Back BeachIn-town beaches near the harbor.
- Long Beach and Cape Hedge BeachBeaches on Rockport's southern shore, shared with Gloucester.
- Thacher Island and Straitsmouth IslandOffshore islands off Rockport's coast.
Walkability and getting around Rockport
The village center around Dock Square and Bearskin Neck is compact and walkable, with shops and restaurants close together, but Pigeon Cove and the rest of town spread out along Route 127 and require a car.
Drive times
- Gloucester, about 7 miles15-20 min
- Logan International Airport, about 40 miles55-70 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Rockport station is the terminus of the MBTA Commuter Rail Newburyport/Rockport Line, with roughly a dozen weekday trains to Boston's North Station. The Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA) runs local bus routes connecting Rockport to Gloucester.
Rockport property taxes
Rockport's FY2026 residential tax rate is $8.46 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $846 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $8,548, on an average assessed value of $1,010,388.
Rockport's FY2026 tax rates
$8.46per $1,000, residential
- Residential$8.46 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,010,388
- Average single-family tax bill$8,548
- 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 | $9.82 |
| FY2023 | $9.43 |
| FY2024 | $8.42 |
| FY2025 | $8.76 |
| FY2026 | $8.46 |
Look up a Rockport property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Rockport
What we check on a Rockport purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, coastal flood zones, smoke & co certificate, no curbside trash.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Essex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
As a peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on three sides, Rockport has extensive FEMA-mapped coastal flood zones along its harbor and outer shoreline. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for RockportSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Rockport Fire Department before the sale closes.
Rockport's shoreline sits in FEMA flood zones
Because Rockport is surrounded by ocean on all sides but the Gloucester border, buyers near the harbor or outer coast should check the FEMA flood map and ask about flood insurance.
Massachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing
Sellers in Massachusetts need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. Contact the Rockport Fire Department to schedule the inspection.
Trash goes through the Transfer Station, not curbside pickup
Rockport has no curbside trash collection; residents buy Pay-As-You-Throw bags and a Transfer Station sticker to dispose of trash and use the recycling center.
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 Rockport?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Rockport address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Rockport: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Rockport: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Trash and recyclingRockport does not offer curbside trash pickup. Residents use the town Transfer Station with a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) program: trash must go in PAYT bags sold at the Transfer Station and area retailers, and a Transfer Station sticker is required to use the recycling center and swap shop.
- 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
Rockport Transfer Station
Rockport, MA 01966
PAYT bags required for trash; sticker required for Transfer Station and recycling center access
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Rockport Town Hall is at 34 Broadway, Rockport, MA 01966. Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 am-4 pm, Tuesday 8 am-6 pm, Friday 8 am-1 pm. Main line: 978-546-5000.
- Town HallMain line and website978-546-5000
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, elections and licensing.
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.
- Department of Public WorksRoads, the Transfer Station and town infrastructure.
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections, well regulations and health permits.
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention, suppression and inspections, including smoke/CO certificates.
- Rockport Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- Rockport Public SchoolsThe town's public school district.
Rockport, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Rockport, MA?
Rockport's FY2026 residential tax rate is $8.46 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 Rockport?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $3,384 a year at $8.46 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Rockport have a split tax rate?
No. Rockport uses a single rate of $8.46 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Rockport?
The average single-family tax bill in Rockport was $8,548 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,010,388.
What ZIP code does Rockport use?
The whole town uses ZIP code 01966.
Is trash pickup curbside or transfer station in Rockport?
Transfer station only. Rockport uses a Pay-As-You-Throw program: residents buy PAYT bags and a Transfer Station sticker; there is no curbside pickup.
Who supplies electricity in Rockport?
National Grid supplies electricity in Rockport.
How far is Rockport from Boston?
Rockport is about 40 miles from Boston.
Is there a train to Boston from Rockport?
Yes. Rockport station is the terminus of the MBTA Commuter Rail Newburyport/Rockport Line, with weekday trains to Boston's North Station.
What is Motif Number 1?
A red fishing shack on Bradley Wharf that has become one of the most-painted buildings in America; the current building is a 1970s replica of the original, which a 1978 storm destroyed.
Towns near Rockport
Neighbors of Rockport, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Rockport, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Rockport, MA official website: rockportma.gov
- Transfer Station Division - Rockport, MA: rockportma.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.
- Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.