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Living in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

Shrewsbury is a town in Worcester County immediately east of Worcester, first settled in 1722 and incorporated in 1727, named for Shrewsbury, England. Lake Quinsigamond forms part of its western border with Worcester, and the town center along Route 9 and Main Street holds Town Hall, the library and shops.

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated

Shrewsbury at a glance

Shrewsbury's zip code

Shrewsbury uses a single ZIP code, 01545, for the whole town.

Shrewsbury villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Shrewsbury center01545Along Main Street and Route 9, where Town Hall, the library and municipal offices are located.

Things to do in Shrewsbury, MA

Start with Hebert Candies and Ski Ward, then 2 more below.

  1. Hebert Candies

    A candy maker operating since 1917 from a Tudor-style stone mansion off Route 20, known as introducing white chocolate to the American market in 1956. The mansion is both the retail shop and manufacturing site.

    Year-round

    Route 20, Shrewsbury, MA

  2. Ski Ward

    A small ski area with nine trails, a triple chairlift and T-bar, 100% snowmaking, and a year-round tubing hill with eight lanes.

    Seasonal

    Shrewsbury, MA

  3. Lake Quinsigamond

    A 4-mile lake along Shrewsbury's border with Worcester, used for competitive rowing since 1857 and home to Quinsigamond State Park on the Worcester side.

    FreeYear-round

    Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury/Worcester line

  4. Prospect Park

    A 71-acre town park with walking trails.

    FreeYear-round

    Shrewsbury, MA

More worth a visit

  • General Artemas Ward HouseA historic house museum and National Register historic district associated with Revolutionary War general Artemas Ward.
  • Dean ParkA town recreational area.

A little history

Shrewsbury was first settled in 1722 and incorporated as a town in 1727, taking its name from Shrewsbury, England.

The Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, based in Shrewsbury, was the research site where the combined oral contraceptive pill was first developed.

Hebert Candies moved to its Shrewsbury mansion in 1946 and introduced white chocolate to the American market in 1956.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Shrewsbury

Lake Quinsigamond and Prospect Park give Shrewsbury both lake recreation and wooded walking trails, with Ski Ward adding a winter and year-round tubing hill.

  • Lake QuinsigamondA 4-mile lake used for rowing regattas and boating, bordering Quinsigamond State Park.
  • Prospect Park71 acres of town trails.
  • Ski WardA small ski hill with snowmaking and year-round tubing.

Where to eat in Shrewsbury: restaurants and coffee

1 places in Shrewsbury to try, including candy and chocolate shop. No one paid to be listed.

Walkability and getting around Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury's town center along Route 9 and Main Street has sidewalks connecting Town Hall, the library and nearby shops, but most of the town, including its Route 9 and Route 20 commercial strips, is built around driving.

Shrewsbury center

100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA 01545

Check any Shrewsbury address

Drive times

  • Worcester, about 6 miles10-15 min
  • Worcester Regional Airport, about 8 miles15-20 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) operates local bus routes into Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury has no train station; the nearest MBTA Commuter Rail service is at Union Station in Worcester.

Shrewsbury property taxes

Shrewsbury's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,150 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $8,753, on an average assessed value of $761,161.

Shrewsbury's FY2026 tax rates

$11.50per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$11.50 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$761,161
  • Average single-family tax bill$8,753
  • 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.

Shrewsbury property tax calculator

$
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$14.11
FY2023$13.12
FY2024$12.38
FY2025$12.04
FY2026$11.50

Look up a Shrewsbury property

Buying a home in Shrewsbury

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

MassHousing

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
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

Lake Quinsigamond forms part of Shrewsbury's western border, putting some shoreline parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Shrewsbury
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Shrewsbury Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-841-8522 to schedule.

Shrewsbury Fire Department page
Municipal electric

SELCO, not an investor-owned utility, serves the town

Shrewsbury runs its own municipal light department, SELCO, rather than being served by National Grid or Eversource. It also offers cable and internet service in town.

Smoke certificate

Smoke and CO certificate before closing

Massachusetts requires a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale closes.

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 Shrewsbury?

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

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

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Shrewsbury: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Shrewsbury: SELCO (Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations), the town's municipal light department for power.

Town Hall offices and contacts

Shrewsbury Town Hall is at 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Tuesday 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.-noon. Main line: 508-841-8508.

Shrewsbury, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Shrewsbury, MA?

Shrewsbury's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.50 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 Shrewsbury?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,600 a year at $11.50 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Shrewsbury have a split tax rate?

No. Shrewsbury uses a single rate of $11.50 per $1,000 for all property classes.

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

The average single-family tax bill in Shrewsbury was $8,753 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $761,161.

What county is Shrewsbury, MA in?

Shrewsbury is in Worcester County.

What ZIP code does Shrewsbury use?

Shrewsbury uses a single ZIP code, 01545, for the whole town.

Who supplies electricity in Shrewsbury?

Shrewsbury has its own municipal utility, SELCO (Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations), rather than an investor-owned utility.

Is there train service from Shrewsbury?

No. Shrewsbury has no train station; the nearest MBTA Commuter Rail service is at Union Station in Worcester.

How far is Shrewsbury from Worcester?

Shrewsbury borders Worcester directly, about a 10-15 minute drive to downtown Worcester.

Which towns border Shrewsbury?

Shrewsbury borders Worcester, Northborough, Grafton, Westborough, Boylston and West Boylston.

Towns near Shrewsbury

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

Sources