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 loans
Living in Rutland, Massachusetts
Rutland is a town in Worcester County about 13 miles northwest of Worcester, settled in 1666 and incorporated in 1713. It originally included the land that became Barre, Hubbardston, Oakham, Princeton and the northern half of Paxton. A marker known as Central Tree, near the town center, marks the geographic center of Massachusetts, and Rutland is described as the highest town between the Berkshires and the Atlantic coast.
Rutland at a glance
- $13.87Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,630Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-25 minDrive to Worcester
- WorcesterCounty
Rutland's villages and zip codes
Rutland uses a single ZIP code, 01543, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rutland center | 01543 | Along Main Street, where Town Hall and the library are located. |
| New Boston | 01543 | A village section of town. |
| West Rutland | 01543 | A section in the western part of town. |
| Muschopauge | 01543 | A village section near Muschopauge Pond. |
Things to do in Rutland, MA
Start with Rutland State Park and Mass Central Rail Trail, then 2 more below.
Rutland State Park
A 300-acre day-use state park centered on Whitehall Pond, with a freshwater beach, boat ramp, picnic areas and trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Camping is not allowed.
Rutland, MA
Mass Central Rail Trail
A rail-trail that passes through Rutland, including through the southern end of Rutland State Park, used for walking and biking.
Rutland, MA
Central Tree
A marker near the town center noting the geographic center of Massachusetts.
Rutland center
General Rufus Putnam Memorial
A memorial to Rufus Putnam, George Washington's chief engineer during the Revolutionary War and later a founder of settlements in Ohio.
Rutland, MA
Around the calendar
- JulyFourth of July celebrationA multi-day town celebration including a parade and fireworks.
- AugustCentral Tree Chowder Chili ChallengeAn annual chowder and chili cook-off held in town.
A little history
The area now called Rutland was settled in 1666 and known by the Nipmuc name Naquag before the town was incorporated in 1713.
Rutland originally included the land that later became the towns of Barre, Hubbardston, Oakham, Princeton and the northern half of Paxton.
During the Revolutionary War, Rutland held a prison camp for captured Hessian mercenaries; Rutland native Rufus Putnam served as George Washington's chief engineer and later helped found settlements in Ohio.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Rutland
Rutland State Park and the Mass Central Rail Trail give the town a swimming pond, hiking trails and a long-distance biking route.
- Rutland State ParkWhitehall Pond beach, boat ramp, picnic areas and trails.
- Mass Central Rail TrailRail-trail through town for walking and biking.
- Muschopauge PondA pond near the Muschopauge village section.
Walkability and getting around Rutland
Rutland center along Main Street has sidewalks near Town Hall and the library, but most of the town, including its rural outlying areas, is built for driving.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 13 miles20-25 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Rutland has no fixed-route local bus or train service; it is about 20-25 minutes by car from Worcester.
Rutland property taxes
Rutland's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.87 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,387 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,630, on an average assessed value of $477,981.
Rutland's FY2026 tax rates
$13.87per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.87 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$477,981
- 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 | $15.79 |
| FY2023 | $13.72 |
| FY2024 | $14.83 |
| FY2025 | $14.24 |
| FY2026 | $13.87 |
Look up a Rutland property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Rutland
What we check on a Rutland purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke certificate, well & septic.
Check the flood zone first
Whitehall Pond, Muschopauge Pond and other ponds and brooks in town put some low-lying parcels in Rutland within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for RutlandSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Rutland Fire Department before the sale closes.
Smoke and CO certificate required before closing
Massachusetts sellers need a smoke and carbon-monoxide detector compliance certificate from the local Fire Department before a home can close. We build that inspection into the closing timeline.
Confirm well and Title 5 septic status
Rutland is a largely rural town, so buyers should confirm whether a property relies on a private well and get a current Title 5 septic inspection 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 Rutland?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Rutland address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Rutland: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Rutland: The town runs a Rutland Community Electricity aggregation program for residents for power.
- ElectricThe town runs a Rutland Community Electricity aggregation program for residents
- 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
Rutland Town Hall is at 250 Main St, Rutland, MA 01543. Main line: 508-886-4100.
- Town HallMain line and website508-886-4100
- AssessorProperty values and assessments; online property maps via Axis GIS.
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and collection.
- Town ClerkVital records and elections.
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.
- PlanningZoning and land-use applications.
- Department of Public WorksRoads and town infrastructure.
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections and wells.
- Rutland Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- Wachusett Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Rutland and neighboring towns.
Rutland, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Rutland, MA?
Rutland's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.87 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 Rutland?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,548 a year at $13.87 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Rutland have a split tax rate?
No. Rutland uses a single rate of $13.87 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Rutland?
The average single-family tax bill in Rutland was $6,630 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $477,981.
What county is Rutland, MA in?
Rutland is in Worcester County.
What ZIP code does Rutland use?
Rutland uses a single ZIP code, 01543, for the whole town.
How far is Rutland from Worcester?
Rutland is about 13 miles from Worcester, roughly a 20-25 minute drive.
Which towns border Rutland?
Rutland borders Princeton, Holden, Paxton, Oakham, Barre and Hubbardston.
Is there a state park in Rutland?
Yes. Rutland State Park is a 300-acre day-use park centered on Whitehall Pond, with a beach, boat ramp and trails.
Which school district serves Rutland?
Rutland is part of the Wachusett Regional School District.
Towns near Rutland
Neighbors of Rutland, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Rutland, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Rutland State Park - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Rutland official website: rutlandma.gov
- Wachusett Regional School District: wrsd.net
- Rutland Public Library photo, 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 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.