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Main Street in Russell, Massachusetts.

Living in Russell, Massachusetts

Russell is a small town in western Hampden County, where the Westfield River drops through three cascades, about 90 feet total, on its way to Westfield. Settled in 1782 and incorporated in 1792, the town grew as three separate mill villages strung along the river: Crescent Mills, Russell Village, and Woronoco. Interstate 90 crosses the town but has no interchange here, so U.S. Route 20 is the road that actually connects Russell's villages to Westfield and the rest of the Pioneer Valley.

Russell VillageWoronocoCrescent Mills

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated

Photo: John Phelan, CC BY-SA 4.0

Russell at a glance

Russell's villages and zip codes

Russell's main ZIP code is 01071; the Woronoco section in the eastern part of town uses 01097.

Russell villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Russell Village01071The town's administrative center along U.S. Route 20 in the Westfield River valley, and the location of Town Hall.
Woronoco01097A former mill village in the eastern part of town, along the Westfield River and Route 20.
Crescent MillsThe upstream mill village near the Huntington town line.

Things to do in Russell, MA

Start with Russell Center Historic District and Westfield River cascades.

  1. Russell Center Historic District

    A historic district around the town center, including the 1916 Tudor Revival Town Hall on Main Street.

    FreeYear-round

    Main Street, Russell, MA

    Plan a visit

  2. Westfield River cascades

    Three cascades drop a combined 90 feet as the Westfield River crosses through Russell's valley, visible along U.S. Route 20.

    FreeYear-round

    Along U.S. Route 20

A little history

Russell was settled in 1782 and incorporated as a town in 1792.

Three separate mill villages, Crescent Mills, Russell Village, and Woronoco, developed around industrial sites along the Westfield River, which drops about 90 feet through three cascades as it crosses the town.

Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) crosses through the center of Russell but has no interchange there.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Russell

The Westfield River valley runs through the middle of Russell, with uplands rising to 1,000-1,400 feet in the South Quarter section and Mount Tekoa and Mount Shatterack east of the river.

  • Westfield RiverThe river crosses Russell in a deep valley, dropping through three cascades totaling about 90 feet on its way to Westfield.

Walkability and getting around Russell

Russell's villages sit close together along U.S. Route 20 in the Westfield River valley, but the surrounding town is hilly and rural, and a car is needed to get between the villages and to nearby Westfield.

Russell Village

65 Main Street, Russell, MA 01071

Check any Russell address

Drive times

  • Westfield, about 8 miles

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

No PVTA fixed bus route was confirmed to run within Russell. The nearest PVTA service is in Westfield, about 8 miles southeast on Route 20 (route R10, Westfield/West Springfield via Route 20).

Russell property taxes

Russell's FY2026 residential tax rate is $18.42 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,842 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,854, on an average assessed value of $317,793.

Russell's FY2026 tax rates

$18.42per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$18.42 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$317,793
  • Average single-family tax bill$5,854
  • 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.

Russell property tax calculator

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Assessed value (100%)
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Taxes a year
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About this much a month
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Estimate at the FY2026 residential rate; the assessor's value sets the bill.

Add it to a full payment estimate

How the residential rate has changed

Fiscal yearResidential rate
FY2022$19.90
FY2023$18.60
FY2024$17.16
FY2025$18.30
FY2026$18.42

Look up a Russell property

Buying a home in Russell

What we check on a Russell purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, municipal electric.

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Hampden County. We check them with you before you shop.

MassHousing home loans
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

The Westfield River runs through Russell in a deep valley, and low-lying land near the river, including parts of the villages along Route 20, can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. Check the town's flood map before making an offer on a property near the river. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Russell
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Russell Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 413-887-4063 to schedule.

Russell Fire Department page
Municipal electric

Russell Municipal Light Department

Russell has its own municipal electric utility, founded in 1920, rather than an investor-owned company like Eversource or National Grid. Confirm account setup and any rebate programs directly with the Light Department when buying here.

Russell Light Department

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.

James Allen

Thinking about buying in Russell?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Russell address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Call (860) 398-5268 Text us Email the team

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Russell: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Russell: Russell Municipal Light Department, the town's own municipal electric utility, founded in 1920. for power.

Russell Transfer Station

Frog Hollow Road, Russell, MA 01071 Wednesday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Transfer station details

Town Hall offices and contacts

Russell Town Hall is at 65 Main Street, Russell, MA 01071. Main line: 413-862-3265.

Russell, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Russell, MA?

Russell's FY2026 residential tax rate is $18.42 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 Russell?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $7,368 a year at $18.42 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Russell have a split tax rate?

No. Russell uses a single rate of $18.42 per $1,000 for all property classes.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Russell?

The average single-family tax bill in Russell was $5,854 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $317,793.

What ZIP codes does Russell use?

Russell's main ZIP code is 01071; the Woronoco section in the eastern part of town uses 01097.

Who supplies electricity in Russell?

Russell Municipal Light Department, the town's own municipal electric utility, founded in 1920.

Is there curbside trash pickup in Russell?

No. Residents bring trash and recycling to the town transfer station on Frog Hollow Road, open Wednesdays and Saturdays.

How far is Russell from Westfield and Springfield?

Westfield is about 8 miles southeast on U.S. Route 20; Springfield is about 19 miles away.

Does PVTA serve Russell?

No PVTA fixed route was confirmed within Russell itself; the nearest PVTA service, route R10, runs through Westfield along Route 20.

Towns near Russell

Neighbors of Russell, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources