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 Sterling, Massachusetts
Sterling is a town in north-central Worcester County, originally called Chocksett before its first European settlers arrived in 1720 and it was incorporated as Sterling in 1781, named for General William Alexander, who served under George Washington. Interstate 190 cuts the town in half, and Sterling borders the Wachusett Reservoir and includes East and West Waushacum Ponds. The town runs its own municipal electric utility, the Sterling Municipal Light Department.
Sterling at a glance
- $12.55Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $7,535Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- WorcesterCounty
- 1781Year incorporated
Sterling's zip code
Sterling uses a single ZIP code, 01564, for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Sterling center | 01564 | Around the Butterick Municipal Building and Conant Public Library, near the town common. |
Things to do in Sterling, MA
Start with Davis Farmland and Sholan Park, then 2 more below.
Davis Farmland
A family farm park with a petting zoo, seasonal splash park, apple picking and the Davis Mega Maze, a large adventure cornfield maze.
145 Redstone Hill Rd, Sterling, MA 01564
Plan a visitSholan Park
A town park on Lake Waushacum with a swimming beach and dock, grills for cookouts, a sand volleyball court and a boat ramp.
Lake Waushacum, Sterling, MA
Mass Central Rail Trail
A stretch of the statewide rail-trail corridor runs through Sterling, used for walking and biking.
Sterling, MA
Conant Public Library
The town's public library, in a building dedicated in 1886.
4 Meetinghouse Hill Rd, Sterling, MA 01564
More worth a visit
- Wachusett MountainA ski area and state reservation just outside Sterling in Princeton.
- Leominster State ForestA large state forest bordering Sterling to the northeast.
A little history
The area was originally called Chocksett; its first European settlers arrived in 1720, and it was incorporated as its own town, Sterling, in 1781.
The town's name honors General William Alexander, who served under George Washington in the Revolutionary War.
Sterling's Conant Public Library building was dedicated in 1886.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Sterling
Sterling's outdoor recreation centers on its lakes -- East and West Waushacum Ponds and Sholan Park on Lake Waushacum -- along with a stretch of the Mass Central Rail Trail and easy access to Wachusett Mountain and Leominster State Forest just outside town.
- Sholan ParkSwimming beach, boat ramp and picnic grills on Lake Waushacum.
- East and West Waushacum PondsTwo ponds in Sterling used for swimming, fishing and boating.
- Mass Central Rail TrailA rail-trail segment through town for walking and cycling.
- Wachusett ReservoirSterling borders this large public water-supply reservoir.
Where to eat in Sterling: restaurants and coffee
1 places in Sterling to try, including farm park with food and beverage stand. No one paid to be listed.
Davis Farmland
Farm park with food and beverage stand
A family farm attraction with food and drink options alongside its animal exhibits and seasonal activities.
145 Redstone Hill Rd, Sterling, MA 01564 · davisfarmland.com
Walkability and getting around Sterling
Sterling center around the town common has sidewalks connecting the library and municipal building, but most of the town, split by Interstate 190, is built for driving.
Drive times
- Worcester, about 15 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Sterling has no fixed-route public transit and no train station; Massachusetts Routes 12, 62, 110 and 140 and Interstate 190 cross the town.
Sterling property taxes
Sterling's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.55 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,255 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $7,535, on an average assessed value of $600,402.
Sterling's FY2026 tax rates
$12.55per $1,000, residential
- Residential$12.55 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$600,402
- Average single-family tax bill$7,535
- 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 | $15.25 |
| FY2023 | $14.30 |
| FY2024 | $13.31 |
| FY2025 | $12.88 |
| FY2026 | $12.55 |
Look up a Sterling property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-422-8111 ext. 2313
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Sterling
What we check on a Sterling purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, municipal utility, well & septic, reservoir & pond flood zones.
Check the flood zone first
Land around East and West Waushacum Ponds, the Wachusett Reservoir shoreline and other low-lying stream corridors puts some Sterling parcels within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for SterlingSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Sterling Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-422-8107 to schedule.
Sterling Fire Department pageElectricity comes from the town, not a private company
Sterling runs its own Sterling Municipal Light Department rather than being served by a private electric utility; it also operates one of the first utility-scale battery energy storage facilities in Massachusetts.
Outlying parcels may use wells and septic
Public sewer covers only part of Sterling, so outlying parcels rely on private wells and septic systems. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before a home on septic can be sold.
Check FEMA flood maps near the water
Land near the Wachusett Reservoir and East and West Waushacum Ponds can fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the water.
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 Sterling?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Sterling address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Sterling: utilities, trash and butterick municipal building
Who to call in Sterling: Sterling Municipal Light Department, the town's own municipal electric utility for power.
- ElectricSterling Municipal Light Department, the town's own municipal electric utility
- WaterSterling Water Department
- Sewer or septicSterling Department of Public Works oversees sewer in parts of town; outlying parcels rely on septic systems
- Trash and recyclingSterling provides weekly curbside trash pickup and every-other-week recycling to residents through hauler Casella Waste Systems, using a zero-sort system with separate trash and recycling carts.
- 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
Butterick Municipal Building offices and contacts
Sterling Butterick Municipal Building is at 1 Park St, Sterling, MA 01564. Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm, Friday 8am-12pm. Main line: 978-422-8111.
- Butterick Municipal BuildingMain line and website978-422-8111
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.978-422-8111 ext. 2308
- AssessorsProperty values and assessments.978-422-8111 ext. 2313
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-422-8111 ext. 2312
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.978-422-8111 ext. 2301
- Planning BoardZoning and land-use applications.
- Department of Public WorksRoads, water, trash administration and town infrastructure.978-422-6767
- Conant Public LibraryThe town's public library.978-422-6409
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and emergency services.978-422-8107
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections, wells and water quality.978-422-8111 ext. 2306
- Wachusett Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Sterling, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland and West Boylston.
Sterling, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Sterling, MA?
Sterling's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.55 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 Sterling?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,020 a year at $12.55 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Sterling have a split tax rate?
No. Sterling uses a single rate of $12.55 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Sterling?
The average single-family tax bill in Sterling was $7,535 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $600,402.
What county is Sterling, MA in?
Sterling is in Worcester County.
What ZIP code does Sterling use?
Sterling uses a single ZIP code, 01564, for the whole town.
Does Sterling have curbside trash pickup?
Yes, weekly trash and every-other-week recycling through hauler Casella Waste Systems.
Who supplies electricity in Sterling?
The town's own Sterling Municipal Light Department.
What school district serves Sterling?
The Wachusett Regional School District, shared with Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland and West Boylston.
Is there a train station in Sterling?
No, Sterling has no train station or fixed-route public transit.
Towns near Sterling
Neighbors of Sterling, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Sterling, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Sterling, MA - Official Website: sterling-ma.gov
- Town Clerk - Sterling, MA: sterling-ma.gov
- Department of Public Works - Sterling, MA: sterling-ma.gov
- Trash & Recycling - Sterling, MA: sterling-ma.gov
- Conant Public Library - Sterling, MA: sterling-ma.gov
- Board of Health - Sterling, MA: sterling-ma.gov
- Davis Farmland: davisfarmland.com
- Sterling Center 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: Marc N. Belanger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.