Shirley center
7 Keady Way, Shirley, MA 01464
Living in Shirley, Massachusetts
Shirley is a town in Middlesex County about 30 miles west-northwest of Boston, settled in 1720 and incorporated in 1753, named for Massachusetts Governor William Shirley. The Nipmuc name for the area was Catacunemaug. The Shirley Shaker Village, a religious community established in 1793, operated in town until 1908, and its remaining buildings sit within present-day state prison grounds.
Shirley at a glance
- $12.39Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,490Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-25 minDrive to Fitchburg
- MiddlesexCounty
Shirley's villages and zip codes
Shirley center uses ZIP code 01464; the shared Devens area uses 01434.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Shirley center | 01464 | The town's main village along Main Street and Keady Way, with Town Hall and the Shirley Meeting House. |
| Devens | 01434 | A section of Shirley on the former Fort Devens Army post, shared with Ayer and Harvard. |
Things to do in Shirley, MA
Start with Shirley Historical Society Museum and Shirley Meeting House, then 3 more below.
Shirley Historical Society Museum
A local history museum covering the town's mill and Shaker history.
Shirley, MA
Shirley Meeting House
A historic meeting house in Shirley center.
Shirley, MA
Farandnear Reservation
A conservation reservation with trails through woods and fields.
Shirley, MA
Whitley Park
A town park used for recreation.
Shirley, MA
Benjamin Hill Recreation Area
A town recreation area.
Shirley, MA
More worth a visit
- Fredonian Nature CenterA nature center with grounds for walking and environmental education.
A little history
The area was known to the Nipmuc as Catacunemaug before Shirley was settled in 1720 and incorporated in 1753, named for Massachusetts Governor William Shirley.
The Shirley Shaker Village, a religious community, was established in Shirley in 1793 and operated until it closed in 1908; its surviving buildings are preserved within present-day state prison grounds.
Shirley was an industrial center in the 19th century, home to a paper mill dating to 1790 and seven cotton mills beginning in 1812, along with iron, nail, and textile production.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Shirley
Shirley's outdoor recreation includes town conservation land at Farandnear Reservation and along the Squannacook and Nashua rivers that bound the town.
- Farandnear ReservationA conservation area with trails through woods and fields.
- Whitley ParkA town park for general recreation.
- Benjamin Hill Recreation AreaA town recreation area.
Walkability and getting around Shirley
Shirley center has sidewalks around Town Hall and the Meeting House, but most of the town, including the Devens section, is built around driving.
Drive times
- Fitchburg, about 12 miles20-25 min
- Logan International Airport, about 45 miles55-70 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
MBTA commuter rail on the Fitchburg Line stops at Shirley station, connecting to Boston's North Station. The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) also serves the town.
Shirley property taxes
Shirley's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.39 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,239 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,490, on an average assessed value of $523,807.
Shirley's FY2026 tax rates
$12.39per $1,000, residential
- Residential$12.39 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$523,807
- Average single-family tax bill$6,490
- 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 | $15.48 |
| FY2023 | $14.18 |
| FY2024 | $13.57 |
| FY2025 | $12.97 |
| FY2026 | $12.39 |
Look up a Shirley property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-425-2600 ext. 220
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Shirley
What we check on a Shirley purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic & title 5, smoke & co certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Shirley is bounded by the Squannacook and Nashua rivers and contains Mulpus Brook and Catecunemaug Brook, with significant wetlands at Spruce Swamp and Tophet Swamp putting low-lying parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for ShirleySmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Shirley Fire Department before the sale closes.
Septic enforcement runs through a regional health agency
The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health handles Title 5 septic enforcement for Shirley alongside the town's own Board of Health. Homes on septic need a Title 5 inspection before sale.
Massachusetts 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 closing. Shirley's Fire Department, at 8 Leominster Road, handles these inspections.
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 Shirley?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Shirley address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Shirley: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Shirley.
- Sewer or septicThe town has a Sewer Commission overseeing municipal sewer service in parts of town; other areas rely on private septic systems.
- Trash and recyclingShirley offers curbside trash and single-stream recycling collection using town-issued bins, billed quarterly at $105.64 per quarter ($422.56 a year), with a discounted senior rate of $52.05 per quarter. Overflow trash bags cost $30 for ten 33-gallon bags or $15 for ten 13-gallon bags. A Recycling Center on Leominster Road is also open Saturday mornings from 9am to 3pm for drop-off.
- 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
Shirley Recycling Center
Leominster Road, Shirley, MA Saturday 9am-3pm
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Shirley Town Hall is at 7 Keady Way, Shirley, MA 01464. Hours: Monday 7am-5:30pm, Tuesday-Thursday 7am-4pm, closed Friday. Main line: 978-425-2600.
- Town HallMain line and website978-425-2600
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.978-425-2600 ext. 1
- Assessor's OfficeProperty values and assessments.978-425-2600 ext. 220
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-425-2600 ext. 210
- Building/Inspection ServicesBuilding permits and inspections.978-425-2600 ext. 260
- Planning BoardZoning, land use, and planning applications.978-425-2600 ext. 240
- Parks & RecreationTown parks and recreation programs.978-822-6413
- Public WorksRoads and the Recycling Center.978-425-2628
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificate inspections.978-425-4334
- Board of HealthPublic health functions; septic and well matters handled with the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health.978-425-2600 ext. 262
Shirley, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Shirley, MA?
Shirley's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.39 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 Shirley?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,956 a year at $12.39 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Shirley have a split tax rate?
No. Shirley uses a single rate of $12.39 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Shirley?
The average single-family tax bill in Shirley was $6,490 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $523,807.
Is trash pickup curbside or pay-as-you-throw in Shirley?
Shirley offers curbside trash and recycling collection with town-issued bins, billed quarterly at $105.64 (or $52.05 for the senior rate), plus optional overflow bags.
What ZIP codes does Shirley use?
Shirley center uses 01464, and the shared Devens area uses 01434.
Is there train service in Shirley?
Yes. MBTA commuter rail on the Fitchburg Line stops at Shirley station, connecting to Boston's North Station.
Where do septic and Title 5 matters go through in Shirley?
The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health acts as Shirley's agent for Title 5 septic enforcement, alongside the town's own Board of Health.
What was the Shirley Shaker Village?
A Shaker religious community established in Shirley in 1793 that operated until 1908; its surviving buildings are preserved within present-day state prison grounds.
How far is Shirley from Fitchburg?
Shirley is about 12 miles from Fitchburg, roughly a 20-25 minute drive.
Towns near Shirley
Neighbors of Shirley, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Shirley, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Shirley official website: shirley-ma.gov
- Curbside Collection & Recycling - Shirley, MA: shirley-ma.gov
- Staff Directory - Shirley, MA: shirley-ma.gov
- Fire Department - Shirley, MA: shirley-ma.gov
- Board of Health - Shirley, MA: shirley-ma.gov
- Shirley Municipal Building 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: Bob Burkhardt, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.