Stow center
380 Great Road, Stow, MA 01775
Living in Stow, Massachusetts
Stow is a town in Middlesex County about 21 miles west of Boston, incorporated in 1683 as Pompositticut Plantation. The Assabet River flows west to east through town, and Stow is also home to Lake Boon and White's Pond. The modern butternut squash was developed in Stow by Charles Leggett in 1944.
Stow at a glance
- $17.87Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $14,113Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 35-45 minDrive to Boston
- MiddlesexCounty
Stow's villages and zip codes
Stow uses ZIP code 01775.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Stow center | 01775 | The town's main village along Great Road, with Town Hall and the Health and Fire departments. |
| Gleasondale | 01775 | A mill village in the northern part of Stow, shared with neighboring Hudson. |
Things to do in Stow, MA
Start with Stow Acres Country Club and American Heritage Museum, then 3 more below.
Stow Acres Country Club
A 36-hole golf facility that hosted the 1995 US Amateur Public Links Championship.
Stow, MA
American Heritage Museum
A military history museum that opened in 2018.
Stow, MA
Pine Bluffs (Lake Boon)
A town park and beach on Lake Boon.
Stow, MA
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
A wildlife refuge with trails through fields and forest along the Assabet River, shared with neighboring towns.
Stow, MA
Apple orchards
Several working apple orchards in town, including Carver Hill, Small Farm, Derby Ridge Farms, Honey Pot Hill, One Stack Farm, and Shelburne Farms, most open for pick-your-own in season.
Stow, MA
More worth a visit
- Minute Man Air FieldA public-use general aviation airport in Stow.
A little history
The town was known as Pompositticut Plantation before its incorporation as Stow in 1683.
The modern butternut squash was developed in Stow by Charles Leggett in 1944.
Cable modem technology was first tested in Stow in 1989 by the company LANcity.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Stow
Stow's outdoor recreation follows the Assabet River, Lake Boon, and White's Pond, along with several working apple orchards open to the public in season.
- Lake BoonA lake with town beach access at Pine Bluffs, used for swimming and boating.
- Assabet River National Wildlife RefugeTrails through fields, wetlands, and forest along the Assabet River.
- White's PondA pond in Stow used for recreation.
Walkability and getting around Stow
Stow center along Great Road has sidewalks connecting Town Hall and nearby municipal buildings, but most of the town, including its orchards and rural roads, is built for driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 21 miles35-45 min
- Logan International Airport, about 30 miles45-55 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Stow has no MBTA commuter rail station of its own; a former trolley line to Boston and Waltham once served the town, and its station building remains. Minute Man Air Field provides general aviation access in town.
Stow property taxes
Stow's FY2026 residential tax rate is $17.87 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,787 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $14,113, on an average assessed value of $789,754.
Stow's FY2026 tax rates
$17.87per $1,000, residential
- Residential$17.87 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$789,754
- Average single-family tax bill$14,113
- 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 | $19.56 |
| FY2023 | $18.13 |
| FY2024 | $16.97 |
| FY2025 | $17.42 |
| FY2026 | $17.87 |
Look up a Stow property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Stow
What we check on a Stow purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, private wells, 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
The Assabet River flows west to east through Stow, and the town also has Lake Boon and White's Pond, putting some low-lying shoreline parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for StowSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Stow Fire Department before the sale closes.
Well testing is required at property transfer
Stow's Board of Health has published private well testing requirements for property transfers, in addition to Title 5 septic inspection requirements for homes on septic systems.
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. Stow's Fire-Rescue department, at 511 Great 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 Stow?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Stow address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Stow: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Stow.
- 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
Stow Town Hall is at 380 Great Road, Stow, MA 01775. Main line: 978-897-4514.
- Town HallMain line and website978-897-4514
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.978-897-5034
- Assessing DepartmentProperty values and assessments.978-897-4597
- Tax Collector & TreasurerProperty tax billing and payment.978-897-2834
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.978-897-2193
- Planning DepartmentZoning, land use, and planning applications.978-897-5098
- Recreation CommissionTown recreation programs.978-637-2984
- Public Works DepartmentRoads and highway services.978-897-8071
- Fire - RescueFire prevention and smoke/CO certificate inspections.978-897-4537
- Health Department/Board of HealthSeptic, well, and public health matters.978-897-4592
- Randall LibraryThe town's public library.978-897-8572
Stow, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Stow, MA?
Stow's FY2026 residential tax rate is $17.87 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 Stow?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $7,148 a year at $17.87 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Stow have a split tax rate?
No. Stow uses a single rate of $17.87 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Stow?
The average single-family tax bill in Stow was $14,113 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $789,754.
What ZIP code does Stow use?
Stow uses ZIP code 01775.
Is there train service in Stow?
No. Stow has no MBTA commuter rail station of its own; a former trolley line to Boston and Waltham once served the town.
Are there apple orchards in Stow?
Yes. Stow has several working apple orchards, including Carver Hill, Small Farm, Derby Ridge Farms, Honey Pot Hill, One Stack Farm, and Shelburne Farms, most open for pick-your-own in season.
Does Stow require well water testing when selling a home?
Yes. Stow's Board of Health has published private well testing requirements for property transfers, in addition to Title 5 septic inspections for homes on septic.
What is the American Heritage Museum?
A military history museum in Stow that opened in 2018.
How far is Stow from Boston?
Stow is about 21 miles from Boston, roughly a 35-45 minute drive depending on traffic.
Towns near Stow
Neighbors of Stow, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Stow, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Stow official website: stow-ma.gov
- Public Works Department - Stow, MA: stow-ma.gov
- Fire - Rescue - Stow, MA: stow-ma.gov
- Health Department/BOH - Stow, MA: stow-ma.gov
- Staff Directory - Stow, MA: stow-ma.gov
- Stow town 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: Tim Pierce, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.