Royalston center
13 On The Common, Royalston, MA 01368
Living in Royalston, Massachusetts
Royalston is a rural town in the far northwest corner of Worcester County, in the North Quabbin region on the New Hampshire line. Settled in 1762 and incorporated in 1765, the town was named for Isaac Royall, who founded it in a 1765 land deal, and today it is known for a cluster of waterfalls and Tully Lake, both within Trustees of Reservations land.
Royalston at a glance
- $10.26Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $3,507Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 30-35 minDrive to Gardner
- WorcesterCounty
Royalston's villages and zip codes
Royalston center, South Royalston, and West Royalston all use ZIP code 01368.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Royalston center | 01368 | Around the Common, with Town Hall and the First Congregational Church. |
| South Royalston | 01368 | The town's largest village, along the Springfield Terminal rail line and Route 32. |
| West Royalston | 01368 | A village in the western part of town, near a state forest. |
Things to do in Royalston, MA
Start with Doane's Falls and Royalston Falls, then 2 more below.
Doane's Falls
A series of cascading waterfalls along Lawrence Brook reached by a half-mile trail, with a woods road continuing to Coddings Meadow. Swimming and wading are prohibited for safety.
Athol Road, Royalston, MA
Plan a visitRoyalston Falls
A 45-foot waterfall in a glacially carved gorge on Falls Brook, reached by a descending trail rated strenuous; part of a 217-acre Trustees of Reservations property.
Route 32, Royalston, MA
Plan a visitTully Lake Campground
A 200-acre lake managed by The Trustees of Reservations for the Army Corps of Engineers, with walk-in camping, canoe and kayak rentals, fishing, mountain biking, and disc golf.
25 Doane Hill Road, Royalston, MA
Plan a visitRoyalston Historic District
A historic district around the town common, including Town Hall and the First Congregational Church.
Royalston center, MA
A little history
Royalston was settled in 1762 and incorporated in 1765; the town was named for Isaac Royall, who founded it in a 1765 land deal.
The Phinehas Newton Library was established in 1880, with its current building funded by Phinehas Newton in 1910.
Royalston Falls, historically called Forbes Falls, sits in a gorge carved by prehistoric glacial meltwater.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Royalston
Royalston's outdoor recreation centers on its waterfalls, Tully Lake, and the Tully Trail network, most of it held by The Trustees of Reservations.
- Doane's FallsCascading falls on Lawrence Brook with a half-mile trail and canoe access at Coddings Meadow.More information
- Royalston FallsA 45-foot waterfall in a glacial gorge, connecting to the Tully Trail and the New England Trail.More information
- Tully LakeA 200-acre lake with kayaking, canoeing, fishing, a 7.5-mile mountain bike loop around Long Pond, and disc golf.More information
- White HillThe town's highest point at 1,361 feet, near the Warwick town line.
Walkability and getting around Royalston
Royalston center and South Royalston have small walkable clusters around their commons, but the town overall has no commercial district and is built around driving.
Drive times
- Gardner, about 18 miles30-35 min
- Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (NH), about 40 miles50-55 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Royalston has no fixed-route public bus service; a Springfield Terminal freight rail line passes through South Royalston but carries no passengers.
Royalston property taxes
Royalston's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.26 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,026 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $3,507, on an average assessed value of $341,850.
Royalston's FY2026 tax rates
$10.26per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.26 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$341,850
- Average single-family tax bill$3,507
- 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 | $12.21 |
| FY2023 | $9.79 |
| FY2024 | $9.47 |
| FY2025 | $9.62 |
| FY2026 | $10.26 |
Look up a Royalston property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-249-0337
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Royalston
What we check on a Royalston 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
Tully Lake is a flood-control reservoir owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and low-lying land along the Tully and Millers rivers and Lawrence Brook can be affected by high water. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for RoyalstonSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Royalston Fire & EMS before the sale closes. Call 978-249-8138 to schedule.
Royalston Fire & EMS 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. Royalston's Fire & EMS department handles these inspections.
No town water or sewer system
Royalston 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
Royalston does not offer curbside trash pickup; residents buy an annual permit and bring trash to the transfer station on Town Dump Road.
Royalston 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 Royalston?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Royalston address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Royalston: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Royalston: 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 recyclingRoyalston residents bring trash to the town transfer station on Town Dump Road rather than using curbside pickup, using an annual permit plus per-bag stickers.
- 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
Royalston Transfer Station
Town Dump Road, Royalston, MA 01368 Saturday 7:00am-2:00pm (last bag accepted 1:45pm)
Annual permits (July 1-June 30): resident $75, second resident vehicle $25, non-resident $200, commercial $300, contractor $10; 33-gallon trash stickers $5 each
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Royalston Town Hall is at 13 On The Common, Royalston, MA 01368. Main line: 978-249-9641.
- Town HallMain line and website978-249-9641
- Select BoardTown governance.978-249-9641
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.978-249-0493
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-249-2927
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.978-249-0337
- Fire & EMSFire prevention and emergency response; issues smoke and CO certificates for home sales.978-249-8138
- Board of HealthSeptic, well, and food permitting.978-249-3617
- Department of Public WorksRoads and highway maintenance.978-249-4223
- Phinehas S. Newton LibraryThe town's public library, established in 1880.
- Athol-Royalston Regional School DistrictRegional school district serving Royalston, jointly governed with Athol.
Royalston, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Royalston, MA?
Royalston's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.26 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 Royalston?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,104 a year at $10.26 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Royalston have a split tax rate?
No. Royalston uses a single rate of $10.26 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Royalston?
The average single-family tax bill in Royalston was $3,507 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $341,850.
What ZIP code does Royalston use?
Royalston center, South Royalston, and West Royalston all use ZIP code 01368.
Is trash pickup curbside or a transfer station in Royalston?
Royalston uses a transfer station on Town Dump Road rather than curbside pickup, with an annual permit and per-bag stickers.
Who supplies electricity in Royalston?
National Grid is the electric utility serving Royalston.
How far is Royalston from Gardner?
Royalston is roughly 18 miles from Gardner, about a 30-35 minute drive.
What school district serves Royalston?
Royalston is part of the Athol-Royalston Regional School District, jointly governed with the town of Athol.
Is there public transit in Royalston?
No. Royalston has no fixed-route bus service; a Springfield Terminal freight line passes through South Royalston but carries no passengers.
Towns near Royalston
Neighbors of Royalston, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Royalston, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Royalston official website: royalston-ma.gov
- Directory - Royalston, MA: royalston-ma.gov
- Transfer Station - Royalston, MA: royalston-ma.gov
- Doane's Falls - The Trustees of Reservations: thetrustees.org
- Royalston Falls - The Trustees of Reservations: thetrustees.org
- Tully Lake Campground - The Trustees of Reservations: thetrustees.org
- Athol, Massachusetts - Wikipedia (Athol-Royalston Regional School District): en.wikipedia.org
- MassDOT Utility Contacts by District/Municipality: hwy.massdot.state.ma.us
- Town Hall and First Congregational Church, Royalston 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 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.