Rowley center
139 Main Street, Rowley, MA 01969
Living in Rowley, Massachusetts
Rowley is a coastal Essex County town settled in 1638 by the Reverend Ezekiel Rogers and about 20 families, and incorporated in 1639. Its eastern side is salt marsh feeding Mud Creek, Mill River and the Rowley River, with part of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and Plum Island marshes protected within town, while its west end reaches into wooded upland along Route 1 and I-95.
Rowley at a glance
- $12.09Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $9,235Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Newburyport
- EssexCounty
Rowley's zip code
The entire town uses ZIP code 01969.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rowley center | 01969 | The town's village center along Main Street, where Town Hall and the MBTA Commuter Rail station sit. |
Things to do in Rowley, MA
Start with Agawam Diner and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge marshes, then 2 more below.
Agawam Diner
A 1954 Fodero Dining Car Company diner listed on the National Register of Historic Places, moved to Rowley from Ipswich in 1970.
166 Newburyport Turnpike (Route 1), Rowley, MA
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge marshes
Salt marsh and barrier-beach habitat that extends into Rowley, part of a federal wildlife refuge based on Plum Island.
Rowley, MA
Plan a visitPlatts-Bradstreet House
A house built in 1677 that serves as home to the Rowley Historical Society.
Rowley, MA
Georgetown-Rowley State Forest
A state forest with wooded trails on Rowley's western side.
Rowley, MA
More worth a visit
- Bay Circuit TrailA long-distance trail through Rowley connecting a network of open space around Boston.
A little history
The Reverend Ezekiel Rogers led about 20 families to settle Rowley in 1638; the town was incorporated in 1639 and named for Rowley in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England.
A stone arch bridge built in 1642, said to be the first of its kind in North America, was constructed of hand-chiseled granite laid without mortar.
A sawmill established in Rowley in 1669 continued operating on the same site for centuries.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Rowley
Rowley's east side is dominated by salt marsh and tidal creeks feeding toward Plum Island and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, while its west end has wooded state forest and Bay Circuit Trail access.
- Parker River National Wildlife RefugeSalt marsh and barrier-beach habitat extending into Rowley.More information
- Georgetown-Rowley State ForestWooded state forest trails on the town's west side.
- Willowdale State ForestState forest land shared with neighboring Ipswich and Topsfield.
- Bay Circuit TrailA long-distance greenway trail passing through town.
Where to eat in Rowley: restaurants and coffee
1 places in Rowley to try, including diner. No one paid to be listed.
Agawam Diner
Diner
A 1954 Fodero-built diner on the National Register of Historic Places, serving classic diner fare on Route 1.
166 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, MA
Walkability and getting around Rowley
Rowley's small Main Street center near Town Hall and the commuter rail station has sidewalks, but the town's marshland and rural roads mean most errands require a car.
Drive times
- Newburyport, about 7 miles15-20 min
- Logan International Airport, about 32 miles45-55 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Rowley has its own MBTA Commuter Rail station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line. Interstate 95 crosses the town's western end, with U.S. Route 1 and Massachusetts Routes 1A and 133 also running through town.
Rowley property taxes
Rowley's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.09 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,209 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $9,235, on an average assessed value of $763,866.
Rowley's FY2026 tax rates
$12.09per $1,000, residential
- Residential$12.09 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$763,866
- Average single-family tax bill$9,235
- 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 | $14.62 |
| FY2023 | $13.02 |
| FY2024 | $12.10 |
| FY2025 | $11.77 |
| FY2026 | $12.09 |
Look up a Rowley property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-948-2081
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Rowley
What we check on a Rowley purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, municipal electric utility, marsh flood zones, septic and wells.
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
Rowley's eastern side is largely salt marsh draining to Mud Creek, Mill River, the Rowley River and the Parker River estuary near Plum Island, and low-lying land there falls within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for RowleySmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Rowley Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-948-3812 to schedule.
Rowley Fire Department pageRowley runs its own municipal light plant
Electric service in Rowley is provided by the Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant rather than an investor-owned utility; buyers should set up service directly with the RMLP.
Learn moreSalt marsh puts parts of Rowley in FEMA flood zones
Rowley's eastern side is salt marsh draining toward Plum Island and the Parker River; buyers there should check the FEMA flood map and ask about flood insurance.
Some Rowley properties rely on private septic and wells
The Rowley Board of Health issues Title 5 septic permits and provides well-water testing guidance for properties not on public sewer.
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 Rowley?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Rowley address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Rowley: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Rowley: Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant for power.
- ElectricRowley Municipal Lighting Plant
- WaterRowley Water Department
- Trash and recyclingRowley's trash and recycling program is administered by the town; residents can find collection and licensing details on the town website.
- 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
Rowley Town Hall is at 139 Main Street, Rowley, MA 01969. Main line: 978-948-2081.
- Town HallMain line and website978-948-2081
- Town ClerkVital records, dog licenses and elections.978-948-2081
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.978-948-2081
- Treasurer/Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-948-2081
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic permits, well water testing and health regulations.978-948-2231
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention, suppression and inspections.978-948-3812
- Rowley Municipal Lighting PlantThe town's municipal electric utility.
- Rowley Water DepartmentPublic water supply.
- Rowley Free Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- Triton Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Rowley, Newbury and Salisbury.
Rowley, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Rowley, MA?
Rowley's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.09 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 Rowley?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,836 a year at $12.09 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Rowley have a split tax rate?
No. Rowley uses a single rate of $12.09 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Rowley?
The average single-family tax bill in Rowley was $9,235 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $763,866.
What ZIP code does Rowley use?
The entire town uses ZIP code 01969.
Who supplies electricity in Rowley?
The Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant, a town-owned electric utility, rather than an investor-owned company.
Is there an MBTA station in Rowley?
Yes. Rowley has its own stop on the MBTA Commuter Rail Newburyport/Rockport Line.
How far is Rowley from Newburyport?
Rowley is about 7 miles south of Newburyport.
Does Rowley have curbside trash pickup or a transfer station?
The town administers a trash and recycling program; check the town website for current collection details.
Towns near Rowley
Neighbors of Rowley, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Rowley, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Agawam Diner - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Rowley, MA official website: townofrowley.net
- Rowley Fire Department: rowleyfire.org
- Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant: rmlp.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: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.