Living in Wakefield, Massachusetts

Wakefield is a town in Middlesex County about 10 miles north of Boston, built around Lake Quannapowitt. It was incorporated in 1812 as South Reading and renamed Wakefield in 1868 after Cyrus Wakefield, a philanthropist who donated land and funds for a town hall.

Wakefield Square Greenwood Woodville Montrose

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated September 25, 2026

Wakefield at a glance

$11.74Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
$9,628Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
20-30 minDrive to Boston
MiddlesexCounty

Wakefield's villages and zip codes

Wakefield uses a single ZIP code, 01880, for the whole town.

Wakefield villages and zip codes
Area	Zip code	Where it is
Wakefield Square	01880	The downtown area near Town Hall and the lake.
Greenwood	01880	A neighborhood with its own MBTA Commuter Rail stop on the Haverhill Line.
Woodville	01880	A residential section of town.
Montrose	01880	A residential neighborhood in Wakefield.

Things to do in Wakefield, MA

Start with Lake Quannapowitt and Wakefield Common and Lucius Beebe Memorial Library.

Lake Quannapowitt and Wakefield Common
A 254-acre lake bordering Wakefield's town common, with the 1885 wood-and-granite Bandstand gazebo on the shore. The Friends of Lake Quannapowitt, a nonprofit founded in 1991, works on protecting and providing public access to the lake.
FreeYear-round
Main St / North Ave, Wakefield, MA
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library
The town's public library.
FreeYear-round
345 Main St, Wakefield, MA

A little history

The town was incorporated in 1812 as South Reading, set off from Reading.

It was renamed Wakefield in 1868 in honor of Cyrus Wakefield, a local philanthropist who donated land and funds toward building a town hall.

The Bandstand on the shore of Lake Quannapowitt, within the town common, was built in 1885.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Wakefield

Lake Quannapowitt is the center of outdoor life in Wakefield, bordered by the town common; Crystal Lake, a drinking-water reservoir, is the town's other significant body of water.

Lake QuannapowittA 254-acre lake bordering the town common, with the historic Bandstand on its shore.
Wakefield CommonThe town common abutting the lake's southeastern shore.

Walkability and getting around Wakefield

Wakefield Square around the common and lake has sidewalks connecting shops, the library, and Town Hall, with MBTA Commuter Rail access nearby, though most of the town's residential streets are built for driving.

Drive times

Boston, about 10 miles20-30 min
Logan International Airport, about 15 miles25-35 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

The MBTA Commuter Rail Haverhill Line serves Wakefield at the Greenwood and Wakefield stations. Bus route 137 also serves the town, and I-95/Route 128 and Route 129 provide highway access.

Wakefield property taxes

Wakefield's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.74 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $22.40. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,174 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $9,628, on an average assessed value of $820,088.

Wakefield's FY2026 tax rates

$11.74per $1,000, residential

Residential$11.74 per $1,000
Commercial, industrial, personal property$22.40 per $1,000
Average single-family assessed value$820,088
Average single-family tax bill$9,628
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	$12.32
FY2023	$11.73
FY2024	$11.25
FY2025	$11.35
FY2026	$11.74

Look up a Wakefield property

FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
Town ClerkVital records and town records
Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 781-246-6380
Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county

Buying a home in Wakefield

What we check on a Wakefield purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, municipal utility.

MassHousing

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 loans

Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

Flood zones are set address by address. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Wakefield

Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Wakefield Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 781-246-6435 to schedule.

Wakefield Fire Department page

Municipal utility

Wakefield runs its own gas and electric utility

The Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department, in operation since 1894, supplies both electricity and natural gas to the town rather than an investor-owned utility.

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 Wakefield?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Wakefield address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Call (860) 398-5268 Text us Email the team

Compare loan options Our process

Moving to Wakefield: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Wakefield: Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department, the town's own utility, serving Wakefield since 1894 for power.

ElectricWakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department, the town's own utility, serving Wakefield since 1894
Natural gasWakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department
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

Wakefield Town Hall is at 1 Lafayette St, Wakefield, MA 01880. Main line: 781-246-6300.

Wakefield, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Wakefield, MA?

Wakefield's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.74 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $22.40. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.

How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Wakefield?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,696 a year at $11.74 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Wakefield have a split tax rate?

Yes. Homes pay $11.74 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $22.40.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Wakefield?

The average single-family tax bill in Wakefield was $9,628 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $820,088.

What county is Wakefield in?

Wakefield is in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

What ZIP code does Wakefield use?

Wakefield uses a single ZIP code, 01880, for the whole town.

How far is Wakefield from Boston?

Wakefield is about 10 miles from Boston, roughly a 20-30 minute drive.

Who supplies electricity and gas in Wakefield?

The Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department, the town's own utility, which has served Wakefield since 1894.

Is there a train station in Wakefield?

Yes. The MBTA Commuter Rail Haverhill Line serves Wakefield at the Greenwood and Wakefield stations.

Which towns border Wakefield?

Wakefield borders Reading, Melrose, Stoneham, Lynnfield, and Saugus.

Towns near Wakefield

Neighbors of Wakefield, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources

Wakefield, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Town of Wakefield official website: wakefieldma.gov
Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department: wmgld.com
Lake Quannapowitt - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.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.
Checked September 25, 2026.