Swampscott center
22 Monument Ave, Swampscott, MA 01907
Living in Swampscott, Massachusetts
Swampscott is a town in Essex County on the North Shore, on Massachusetts Bay about 12 miles northeast of Boston, incorporated in 1852 after splitting from Lynn. Its mostly rocky coastline holds five beaches, including Phillips Beach and Fisherman's Beach, home to a working lobster-dory fleet since the 1800s, and the town was once a fashionable summer resort, drawing Calvin Coolidge's 'Summer White House' to its shore.
Swampscott at a glance
- $12.00Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $11,478Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 25-35 minDrive to Boston
- EssexCounty
Swampscott's villages and zip codes
All of Swampscott uses ZIP code 01907.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Swampscott center | 01907 | The town center around Monument Avenue, Town Hall and Humphrey Street, with most shops and restaurants. |
| Beach Bluff | 01907 | A shoreline neighborhood at the Swampscott-Marblehead line with ocean views and Beach Bluff Park. |
| Phillips Point | 01907 | A point of land near Phillips Beach on Swampscott's shoreline. |
Things to do in Swampscott, MA
Start with Fisherman's Beach and Phillips Beach, then 2 more below.
Fisherman's Beach
A working shorefront that has been home to Swampscott's wooden lobster-dory fleet since the 1800s, where visitors can watch trap hauls and boat launches near the historic Fish House.
Humphrey St, Swampscott, MA
Phillips Beach
Swampscott's largest beach, a sandy stretch along Massachusetts Bay popular for swimming and walking.
Puritan Rd, Swampscott, MA
Beach Bluff Park
A shoreline park at the Swampscott-Marblehead line featuring the 'Sun Circle,' a set of basalt stones aligned with the rising sun on the solstices, with paths and Atlantic views.
Beach Bluff, Swampscott, MA
Olmsted Subdivision Historic District
A residential neighborhood laid out by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, known for its curving streets and period homes.
Swampscott, MA
More worth a visit
- Swampscott Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- Swampscott Fish HouseAn 1896 building on Fisherman's Beach tied to the town's lobstering history.
A little history
Swampscott was first settled by Europeans in 1629 and was incorporated as a separate town from Lynn in 1852.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries Swampscott was a fashionable summer resort; Calvin Coolidge used the 'White Court' estate in town as his Summer White House while president.
Revolutionary War general John Glover, who commanded the Marblehead regiment that ferried George Washington across the Delaware, spent his final years living in Swampscott.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Swampscott
Swampscott's mostly rocky Massachusetts Bay shoreline holds five public beaches and shoreline parks, giving the small town outsized water access for its size.
- Fisherman's BeachHome port to Swampscott's lobster-dory fleet, with the historic Fish House on the shore.
- Phillips BeachThe town's largest beach, along Massachusetts Bay.
- Eisman's BeachA smaller town beach on the Swampscott shoreline.
- Beach Bluff ParkA park at the Marblehead line with the solstice-aligned 'Sun Circle' and ocean views.
Where to eat in Swampscott: restaurants and coffee
2 places in Swampscott to try, including waterfront restaurant and thai restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
Mission on the Bay
Waterfront restaurant
An oceanfront restaurant on Humphrey Street with a roof deck, bars and views toward the Boston skyline.
141 Humphrey St, Swampscott, MA 01907 · missiononthebay.com
Thai Thani
Thai restaurant
A Thai restaurant on Humphrey Street that has served the town since 1994.
408 Humphrey St, Swampscott, MA 01907
Walkability and getting around Swampscott
How walkable Swampscott is depends on the street. Check any address below.
Drive times
- Boston, about 12 miles25-35 min
- Logan International Airport, about 14 miles25-35 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Swampscott has its own MBTA Commuter Rail station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line, at 10 Railroad Avenue near the Lynn line, with about 130 parking spaces serving Swampscott and neighboring Marblehead. MBTA bus routes also connect the town to Lynn and Salem.
Swampscott property taxes
Swampscott's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.00 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $22.15. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,200 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $11,478, on an average assessed value of $956,516.
Swampscott's FY2026 tax rates
$12.00per $1,000, residential
- Residential$12.00 per $1,000
- Commercial, industrial, personal property$22.15 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$956,516
- Average single-family tax bill$11,478
- 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 | $12.83 |
| FY2023 | $11.74 |
| FY2024 | $11.49 |
| FY2025 | $11.47 |
| FY2026 | $12.00 |
Look up a Swampscott property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town Clerk / ElectionsVital records and town records
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Swampscott
What we check on a Swampscott purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, coastal flood insurance.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Essex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Swampscott's Massachusetts Bay shoreline, including areas around Phillips Beach, Fisherman's Beach and Beach Bluff, puts coastal properties within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for SwampscottSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Swampscott Fire Department before the sale closes.
Massachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing
Sellers in Massachusetts need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. Swampscott's Fire Department, on Burrill Street, handles these inspections.
Swampscott Fire DepartmentShoreline homes may need flood insurance
Homes near Swampscott's beaches and shoreline, including areas around Phillips Beach and Beach Bluff, can fall within FEMA flood zones, which can affect insurance requirements and cost. Check the FEMA flood map for a specific address before making an offer.
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 Swampscott?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Swampscott address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Swampscott: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Swampscott: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Natural gasNational Grid
- WaterSwampscott Water Department
- Sewer or septicThe town maintains public sewer service across most of Swampscott.
- Trash and recyclingThe town provides automated curbside trash and recycling collection using town-issued carts, with pickup day varying by street; Republic Services runs the collection under contract with the town.
- 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
Swampscott Town Hall is at 22 Monument Avenue, Swampscott, MA 01907. Main line: 781-596-8850.
- Town HallMain line and website781-596-8850
- Town Clerk / ElectionsLand records, vital records and elections.
- AssessingProperty values and assessments.
- Treasury / Customer ServiceProperty tax billing and payment.
- Community DevelopmentPlanning and zoning.
- Public WorksRoads, water, sewer and trash/recycling.
- BuildingBuilding permits and inspections.
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificate inspections.781-595-4050
- Health DepartmentPublic health, septic and well permitting.781-596-8864
- Swampscott Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- Swampscott Public SchoolsThe town's public school district.
Swampscott, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Swampscott, MA?
Swampscott's FY2026 residential tax rate is $12.00 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $22.15. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Swampscott?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,800 a year at $12.00 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Swampscott have a split tax rate?
Yes. Homes pay $12.00 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $22.15.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Swampscott?
The average single-family tax bill in Swampscott was $11,478 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $956,516.
What county is Swampscott, MA in?
Swampscott is in Essex County, on the North Shore.
What ZIP code does Swampscott use?
All of Swampscott uses ZIP code 01907.
Is there a train station in Swampscott?
Yes. Swampscott has its own MBTA Commuter Rail station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line, near the Lynn line, with about 130 parking spaces.
How far is Swampscott from Boston?
Swampscott is about 12 miles from Boston, roughly a 25-35 minute drive or a commuter rail ride.
Who supplies electricity and gas in Swampscott?
National Grid provides both electric and natural gas service in Swampscott.
Is trash pickup curbside in Swampscott?
Yes. The town provides automated curbside trash and recycling collection with town-issued carts, run under contract by Republic Services.
What beaches does Swampscott have?
Swampscott has five public beaches, including Phillips Beach, Fisherman's Beach, Eisman's Beach, Whales Beach and part of King's Beach.
Towns near Swampscott
Neighbors of Swampscott, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Swampscott, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Swampscott official website: swampscottma.gov
- Trash & Recycling Information - Swampscott, MA: swampscottma.gov
- Departments - Swampscott, MA: swampscottma.gov
- Fire - Swampscott, MA: swampscottma.gov
- Health - Swampscott, MA: swampscottma.gov
- Swampscott station - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Mission on the Bay official site: missiononthebay.com
- Essex Coastal Scenic Byway - Swampscott: coastalbyway.org
- Elihu Thomson House - Swampscott, MA.JPG - 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: Daderot, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.