Sheffield center
21 Depot Square, Sheffield, MA 01257
Living in Sheffield, Massachusetts
Sheffield is the southernmost town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, in the Housatonic River valley along the Connecticut border. Land here was purchased from Chief Konkapot and Mahican leaders in 1724, and the town was first settled in 1725 and incorporated in 1733, making it the oldest town in Berkshire County. In 1773, Sheffield residents drafted the Sheffield Declaration, an early colonial petition against British rule.
Sheffield at a glance
- $11.82Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $5,809Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 40-45 minDrive to Pittsfield
- BerkshireCounty
Sheffield's villages and zip codes
Sheffield center uses ZIP code 01257; the village of Ashley Falls uses 01222.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Sheffield center | 01257 | Along Main Street (Route 7) and Depot Square, where Town Hall and the village center are located. |
| Ashley Falls | 01222 | A village in the southwestern part of town near the Connecticut border, home to Bartholomew's Cobble. |
Things to do in Sheffield, MA
Start with Bartholomew's Cobble and Colonel John Ashley House, then 2 more below.
Bartholomew's Cobble
A 329-acre National Natural Landmark in the village of Ashley Falls, owned and managed by The Trustees of Reservations since 1946. It has more than 5 miles of hiking trails, a visitor center with natural and human history displays, and seasonal guided canoe trips on the Housatonic River.
Weatogue Road, Ashley Falls, Sheffield, MA
Colonel John Ashley House
A historic house museum built in 1735, one of the oldest houses in southern Berkshire County, owned and operated by The Trustees of Reservations and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open for tours on weekends from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
117 Cooper Hill Road, Sheffield, MA
Mount Everett State Reservation
A state reservation anchored by Mount Everett in the Taconic Range, in the western part of town, with the Appalachian Trail crossing its northern third.
Sheffield, MA
Old Covered Bridge
A historic covered bridge in Sheffield, noted as a local point of interest.
Sheffield, MA
More worth a visit
- Berkshire SchoolA private co-educational boarding school for grades nine through twelve, whose campus and athletic facilities are a local landmark.
A little history
The land that became Sheffield was purchased on April 25, 1724, from Chief Konkapot and other Mahican leaders, and the town was first settled in 1725 by Matthew Noble.
Incorporated in 1733, Sheffield is the oldest town in Berkshire County.
On January 12, 1773, Sheffield residents drafted the Sheffield Declaration, an early Colonial American petition against British rule.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Sheffield
Sheffield spans the Housatonic River valley between Mount Everett and the Taconic Range to the west and East Mountain to the northeast, with the Appalachian Trail crossing the town's northern third.
- Bartholomew's CobbleNational Natural Landmark with hiking trails, a visitor center and guided canoe trips on the Housatonic River.
- Mount Everett State ReservationState reservation in the Taconic Range with trails to the summit of Mount Everett.
- Appalachian TrailCrosses the northern third of Sheffield.
- Housatonic RiverFlows through the Sheffield valley, joined by the Konkapot River and several brooks; used for canoeing.
Walkability and getting around Sheffield
Sheffield's village center along Route 7 has limited sidewalks, and most of the town, including Ashley Falls and its outdoor destinations, requires a car.
Ashley Falls
Drive times
- Pittsfield, about 27 miles40-45 min
- Albany International Airport, about 55 miles65-70 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Sheffield has no local bus service; the nearest bus service is in Great Barrington. The Housatonic Railroad has offered seasonal autumn passenger service between New York and Great Barrington. The nearest Amtrak station is in Pittsfield, and Interstate 90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) is reached via Lee, about 18 miles away.
Sheffield property taxes
Sheffield's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.82 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,182 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $5,809, on an average assessed value of $491,473.
Sheffield's FY2026 tax rates
$11.82per $1,000, residential
- Residential$11.82 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$491,473
- Average single-family tax bill$5,809
- 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 | $12.44 |
| FY2023 | $11.52 |
| FY2024 | $11.75 |
| FY2025 | $12.11 |
| FY2026 | $11.82 |
Look up a Sheffield property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Sheffield
What we check on a Sheffield purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, title 5 septic, river floodplain, connecticut border town.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Berkshire County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Sheffield lies in the fertile floodplain of the Housatonic River valley, and land near the river and the Konkapot River is subject to FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for SheffieldSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Sheffield Fire Department before the sale closes.
Confirm septic status on rural properties
Much of Sheffield is rural and many properties rely on private septic systems and wells rather than town sewer and water. Buyers should confirm septic (Title 5) and well status with the Board of Health before making an offer.
Check FEMA flood maps in the Housatonic valley
Sheffield sits in the Housatonic River's floodplain, and parcels near the river or the Konkapot River can fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the river.
A short drive to Connecticut
Sheffield borders North Canaan and Salisbury, Connecticut, so buyers relocating from Connecticut are often already familiar with the area.
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 Sheffield?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Sheffield address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Sheffield: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Sheffield.
- 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
Sheffield Town Hall is at 21 Depot Square, Sheffield, MA 01257.
- Town HallMain line and website
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.
- Planning & ZoningZoning, land use and planning applications.
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections and well permits.
- Highway/Public WorksRoads and town infrastructure.
- Bushnell-Sage LibraryThe town's public library.
- Southern Berkshire Regional School DistrictThe town's public school district.
Sheffield, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Sheffield, MA?
Sheffield's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.82 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 Sheffield?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,728 a year at $11.82 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Sheffield have a split tax rate?
No. Sheffield uses a single rate of $11.82 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Sheffield?
The average single-family tax bill in Sheffield was $5,809 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $491,473.
What county is Sheffield, MA in?
Sheffield is in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and is the county's oldest incorporated town.
What ZIP codes does Sheffield use?
Sheffield center uses 01257; the village of Ashley Falls uses 01222.
How far is Sheffield from Pittsfield?
Sheffield is about 27 miles south of Pittsfield.
Is there a train station in Sheffield?
No regular station. The Housatonic Railroad has run seasonal autumn service between New York and Great Barrington, and the nearest Amtrak station is in Pittsfield.
Which towns border Sheffield?
Sheffield borders Great Barrington, New Marlborough, Egremont and Mount Washington in Massachusetts, and North Canaan and Salisbury, Connecticut.
What is Bartholomew's Cobble?
A 329-acre National Natural Landmark in Sheffield's Ashley Falls village, owned by The Trustees of Reservations, with hiking trails and a visitor center.
Towns near Sheffield
Neighbors of Sheffield, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Sheffield, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Bartholomew's Cobble - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Colonel John Ashley House - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Dewey Memorial Hall 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: Daderot, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.