Townsend center
272 Main Street, Townsend, MA 01469
Living in Townsend, Massachusetts
Townsend is a town in Middlesex County on the New Hampshire line, incorporated in 1732 on land settled in 1676. It has the largest land area of any town in Middlesex County, and the Squannacook River rises in its western hills. The town is split between two ZIP codes, Townsend center (01469) and West Townsend (01474).
Townsend at a glance
- $13.75Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,459Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-25 minDrive to Fitchburg
- MiddlesexCounty
Townsend's villages and zip codes
Townsend uses two ZIP codes: 01469 for Townsend center and 01474 for West Townsend.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Townsend center | 01469 | The town's main village along Main Street, with Town Hall and the historic common. |
| West Townsend | 01474 | A village in the western part of town, near the Ashby line. |
Things to do in Townsend, MA
Start with Townsend Common and Reed Homestead, then 1 more below.
Townsend Common
The town's historic common in the center village, surrounded by Town Hall and the United Methodist Church, built in 1770.
Main Street, Townsend, MA
Reed Homestead
A historic homestead with murals attributed to Rufus Porter, who went on to found Scientific American.
Townsend, MA
Squannacook River headwaters
The Squannacook River rises in Townsend's western hills, offering fishing and paddling access as it flows toward Groton and Shirley.
Western Townsend, MA
A little history
The area's Indigenous name was Wistequassuck before European settlement began in 1676.
The town was incorporated in 1732 and named after Charles Townshend, an English secretary of state; the town dropped the "h" from its spelling in response to the unpopular Townshend Acts of 1767.
The Reed Homestead contains murals attributed to Rufus Porter, an itinerant artist who later founded Scientific American magazine.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Townsend
Townsend's outdoor recreation centers on the Squannacook River, which rises in the town's western hills, and on its rural hill terrain near the New Hampshire line.
- Squannacook RiverA river with its headwaters in western Townsend, used for fishing and paddling downstream.
Walkability and getting around Townsend
Townsend center has sidewalks around the common, Town Hall, and Main Street businesses, but West Townsend and the town's rural outlying areas are built around driving.
Drive times
- Fitchburg, about 14 miles20-25 min
- Logan International Airport, about 50 miles60-75 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Townsend has no MBTA commuter rail station; Massachusetts Route 119 runs east-west and Route 13 runs north-south through town. The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) serves the area.
Townsend property taxes
Townsend's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.75 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,375 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,459, on an average assessed value of $469,723.
Townsend's FY2026 tax rates
$13.75per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.75 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$469,723
- Average single-family tax bill$6,459
- 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 | $17.61 |
| FY2023 | $15.26 |
| FY2024 | $14.41 |
| FY2025 | $14.52 |
| FY2026 | $13.75 |
Look up a Townsend property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-597-1700
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Townsend
What we check on a Townsend purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic & 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 Squannacook River, which rises in Townsend's western hills, puts some low-lying parcels along it in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for TownsendSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Townsend Fire Department before the sale closes.
Septic and well work runs through two agencies
Townsend's Health Department handles septic and well permits, with some functions handled through the regional Nashoba Associated Boards of Health, based in Ayer. Homes on septic need a Title 5 inspection before sale.
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. Townsend's Fire/EMS Department, at 13 Elm Street, 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 Townsend?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Townsend address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Townsend: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Townsend: Unitil (distribution); the town also runs a Community Electricity Aggregation program for supply for power.
- ElectricUnitil (distribution); the town also runs a Community Electricity Aggregation program for supply
- Trash and recyclingTownsend does not offer curbside collection through the Recycling Center; residents bring trash and recyclables to the town's Recycling Center on Greenville Road, open the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 7am to 2pm and open to both Massachusetts and New Hampshire residents. A current fee list applies for disposal.
- 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
Townsend Recycling Center
27 Greenville Road, Townsend, MA 01469 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 7am-2pm
Town Hall offices and contacts
Townsend Town Hall is at 272 Main Street, Townsend, MA 01469. Main line: 978-597-1700.
- Town HallMain line and website978-597-1700
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.978-597-1700
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.978-597-1700
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-597-1700
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.978-597-1700
- Land Use DepartmentZoning, land use, and planning applications.978-597-1700
- Recreation DepartmentTown recreation programs.978-597-1700
- Highway DepartmentRoads and the Recycling Center.978-597-1700
- Fire/EMS DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificate inspections.978-597-8150
- Health DepartmentBoard of Health functions, including septic and well permits.978-597-1700 ext. 1713
Townsend, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Townsend, MA?
Townsend's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.75 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 Townsend?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,500 a year at $13.75 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Townsend have a split tax rate?
No. Townsend uses a single rate of $13.75 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Townsend?
The average single-family tax bill in Townsend was $6,459 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $469,723.
Is trash pickup curbside or drop-off in Townsend?
Townsend does not offer curbside collection. Residents bring trash and recycling to the town's Recycling Center on Greenville Road, open the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, 7am to 2pm.
Who supplies electricity in Townsend?
Unitil owns the distribution poles and wires serving Townsend; the town also runs a Community Electricity Aggregation program that can affect the supply price.
What ZIP codes does Townsend use?
Townsend center uses 01469, and West Townsend uses its own ZIP code, 01474.
Is there train service near Townsend?
No. Townsend has no MBTA commuter rail station; the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) provides local transit.
Where do septic and well permits go through in Townsend?
Townsend's Health Department issues septic and well permits, with some functions handled through the regional Nashoba Associated Boards of Health in Ayer.
How far is Townsend from Fitchburg?
Townsend is about 14 miles from Fitchburg, roughly a 20-25 minute drive.
Towns near Townsend
Neighbors of Townsend, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Townsend, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Townsend official website: townsendma.gov
- Fire/EMS Department - Townsend, MA: townsendma.gov
- Health Department - Townsend, MA: townsendma.gov
- Recycling Center - Townsend, MA: townsendma.gov
- Community Electric Aggregation - Townsend, MA: townsendma.gov
- Townsend common 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 (Marcbela), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.