Stockbridge center
50 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262
Living in Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge is a town in the central Berkshires of Massachusetts, set among the Berkshire Mountains and drained by the Housatonic River, which runs through the town center. It was settled in 1734 by British missionaries as a mission town for the Stockbridge Indians and incorporated in 1739. After the railroad arrived around 1850, Stockbridge grew into a summer resort, and its Main Street and Gilded Age estates now house museums including the Norman Rockwell Museum, Naumkeag and Chesterwood.
Stockbridge at a glance
- $6.79Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,284Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-25 minDrive to Pittsfield
- BerkshireCounty
Stockbridge's villages and zip codes
Stockbridge center uses ZIP code 01262; the villages of Glendale and Housatonic use 01229 and 01236.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Stockbridge center | 01262 | Along Main Street, where Town Offices, the library and downtown shops and restaurants are located. |
| Glendale | 01229 | A village in the western part of town along the Housatonic River. |
| Housatonic | 01236 | A former mill village on the Housatonic River that spans the Stockbridge-Great Barrington line. |
Things to do in Stockbridge, MA
Start with Norman Rockwell Museum and Naumkeag House and Gardens, then 3 more below.
Norman Rockwell Museum
The world's largest collection of original Norman Rockwell art, along with featured American illustrators and changing exhibitions, on a 36-acre campus with walking trails and Rockwell's historic studio. Open year-round.
9 Route 183, Stockbridge, MA 01262
Plan a visitNaumkeag House and Gardens
A Gilded Age mansion with 44 rooms and 8 acres of landscaped gardens designed by Fletcher Steele, offering guided garden tours and self-guided house tours. Open late May through early September, Thursday-Monday.
Prospect Hill Road, Stockbridge, MA
Chesterwood
The country home, studio and gardens of sculptor Daniel Chester French, known for the Minute Man statue and the Lincoln Memorial. The historic site has sweeping views, an annual sculpture show and hiking trails.
4 Williamsville Rd, Stockbridge, MA 01262
Plan a visitThe Red Lion Inn
A landmark 19th-century inn on Main Street with antique-filled rooms, three dining rooms, live music some nights and a year-round pool.
30 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262
Plan a visitHistoric New England's Merwin House
A Federal-style house museum of the Merwin family's collection of European and American furnishings, also home to the Berkshires office of the Housatonic Valley Association.
14 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262
More worth a visit
- TanglewoodSummer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, on grounds that lie partly in Stockbridge and partly in Lenox.
- Monument MountainA mountain with hiking trails near Stockbridge, part of the Berkshire range.
A little history
Stockbridge was settled in 1734 by British missionaries as a mission town for the Stockbridge Indians and was incorporated in 1739, taking its name from Stockbridge in Hampshire, England.
Several of those estates, including Naumkeag and Chesterwood, are preserved today as museums open to the public.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Stockbridge
The Housatonic River runs through the center of Stockbridge, and the town borders Stockbridge Bowl (Lake Mahkeenac) and Monument Mountain, giving it both water and mountain recreation close to its historic Main Street.
- Stockbridge Bowl (Lake Mahkeenac)A lake on the town's northern side used for boating and swimming.
- Monument MountainA mountain with hiking trails in the Berkshire range near Stockbridge.
- Chesterwood groundsHiking trails and picnic areas at the sculptor Daniel Chester French's former estate.
- Housatonic RiverRuns through the center of town, offering fishing and paddling access.
Where to eat in Stockbridge: restaurants and coffee
4 places in Stockbridge to try, including historic inn with dining rooms and european-style bistro. No one paid to be listed.
The Red Lion Inn
Historic inn with dining rooms
A landmark 19th-century inn with a main dining room, tavern and seasonal courtyard dining.
30 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262 · redlioninn.com
Once Upon a Table
European-style bistro
A bistro just off Main Street down the alley in The Mews, serving lunch and dinner with beer and wine; reservations recommended.
36 Main Street, The Mews, Stockbridge, MA 01262 · onceuponatablestockbridge.com
Michael's Restaurant of Stockbridge
Restaurant
A restaurant on Elm Street in Stockbridge, per the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce.
5 Elm Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262 · michaelsofstockbridge.com
Main Street Cafe
Breakfast and lunch cafe
A cafe on Main Street serving breakfast and lunch.
40 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262
Walkability and getting around Stockbridge
Stockbridge's Main Street is walkable, with sidewalks connecting the Red Lion Inn, shops and restaurants to Town Offices and the library, but Naumkeag, Chesterwood and outlying villages like Glendale and Housatonic require a car.
Glendale
Drive times
- Pittsfield, about 13.5 miles20-25 min
- Albany International Airport, about 45 miles55-60 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
BRTA bus routes connect Stockbridge to Lee and Pittsfield along Routes 102 and 183. Stockbridge has no train station; the nearest Amtrak service is in Pittsfield.
Stockbridge property taxes
Stockbridge's FY2026 residential tax rate is $6.79 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $679 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,284, on an average assessed value of $925,514.
Stockbridge's FY2026 tax rates
$6.79per $1,000, residential
- Residential$6.79 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$925,514
- Average single-family tax bill$6,284
- 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 | $9.38 |
| FY2023 | $8.14 |
| FY2024 | $7.37 |
| FY2025 | $7.09 |
| FY2026 | $6.79 |
Look up a Stockbridge 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 Stockbridge
What we check on a Stockbridge purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, shared building department, title 5 septic, river flood zone.
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
The Housatonic River runs through the center of Stockbridge, and low-lying parcels near the river and Stockbridge Bowl can fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for StockbridgeSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Stockbridge Fire Department before the sale closes.
Building inspections are a shared regional service
Stockbridge's Building Inspections Department is a shared service with Lee, Lenox and Great Barrington. Permit and inspection scheduling goes through that shared office.
Homes on septic need a Title 5 inspection before sale
The regional Tri-Town Health Department, which covers Stockbridge, Lee and Lenox, handles Title 5 septic system and private well information. Buyers of homes on septic should confirm inspection status before closing.
Check FEMA flood maps near the Housatonic River
The Housatonic River runs through the center of Stockbridge, and parcels near the river or Stockbridge Bowl 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 Stockbridge?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Stockbridge address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Stockbridge: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Stockbridge.
- 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 Offices offices and contacts
Stockbridge Town Offices is at 50 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262.
- Town OfficesMain line and website
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Shared Building Inspections DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections, shared with Lee, Lenox and Great Barrington.
- Planning & ZoningZoning, land use and planning applications.
- Tri-Town Health DepartmentRegional Board of Health serving Stockbridge, Lee and Lenox; handles Title 5 septic and well information.413-243-5540
- Stockbridge Library AssociationThe town's public library.
Stockbridge, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Stockbridge, MA?
Stockbridge's FY2026 residential tax rate is $6.79 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 Stockbridge?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $2,716 a year at $6.79 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Stockbridge have a split tax rate?
No. Stockbridge uses a single rate of $6.79 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Stockbridge?
The average single-family tax bill in Stockbridge was $6,284 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $925,514.
What county is Stockbridge, MA in?
Stockbridge is in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP codes does Stockbridge use?
Stockbridge center uses 01262; the villages of Glendale and Housatonic use 01229 and 01236.
How far is Stockbridge from Pittsfield?
Stockbridge is about 13.5 miles south of Pittsfield, roughly a 20-25 minute drive.
Is there a train station in Stockbridge?
No. Stockbridge has no train station; the nearest Amtrak station is in Pittsfield.
Who handles Title 5 septic and well questions in Stockbridge?
The regional Tri-Town Health Department, serving Stockbridge, Lee and Lenox, handles Title 5 septic inspections and private well information.
Which towns border Stockbridge?
Stockbridge borders Richmond, Lenox, Lee, Great Barrington and West Stockbridge.
Towns near Stockbridge
Neighbors of Stockbridge, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Stockbridge, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce - Dining: stockbridgechamber.org
- Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce - Historic Sites/Museums: stockbridgechamber.org
- Looking from Heaton Hall, Stockbridge, MA 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: , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.