West Newbury center
381 Main Street, West Newbury, MA 01985
Living in West Newbury, Massachusetts
West Newbury is a town in Essex County on the south bank of the Merrimack River, settled in 1635 and incorporated separately from Newbury in 1819. It is a mostly rural, low-density town of orchards, hills and conservation land, with the Rocks Village Bridge its only direct river crossing to the north.
West Newbury at a glance
- $10.15Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $9,893Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 12-15 minDrive to Newburyport
- EssexCounty
West Newbury's villages and zip codes
The whole town uses ZIP code 01985.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| West Newbury center | 01985 | The area around Town Hall on Main Street, near the Page School and the G.A.R. Memorial Library. |
| Rocks Village | 01985 | A historic riverside district at the north end of town, connected to Haverhill by the Rocks Village Bridge and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. |
Things to do in West Newbury, MA
Start with Long Hill Orchard & Farm and Rocks Village Historic District, then 2 more below.
Long Hill Orchard & Farm
A working orchard and farm operating continuously since 1896, with pick-your-own fruit and a farm stand.
520 Main Street, West Newbury, MA
Rocks Village Historic District
A riverside village of 18th- and 19th-century houses at the Merrimack River crossing to Haverhill, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rocks Village, West Newbury, MA
Mill Pond Recreation Area
Town conservation and recreation land centered on Mill Pond.
West Newbury, MA
Riverbend Conservation Area
Town conservation land along the Merrimack River with walking trails.
West Newbury, MA
More worth a visit
- Crane Pond Wildlife Management AreaA state wildlife management area with trails, shared with neighboring towns.
A little history
West Newbury was incorporated in 1819 as "Parsons" from the west parish of Newbury, and renamed West Newbury the following year, 1820.
The town was a 19th-century comb-manufacturing center; the S.C. Noyes comb factory, one of its industries, closed in 1904.
Julian D. Steele was elected town moderator in West Newbury in 1952, becoming the first African-American town moderator in Massachusetts.
Parks, trails and outdoors in West Newbury
West Newbury's hills and river frontage carry a network of town conservation land, including Crane Pond, Riverbend and Mill Pond, connected by rural roads popular with cyclists.
- Riverbend Conservation AreaTrails along the Merrimack River.
- Mill Pond Recreation AreaTown land around Mill Pond.
- Crane Pond Wildlife Management AreaState-managed wildlife land with trails.
Walkability and getting around West Newbury
West Newbury has no traditional commercial downtown; Main Street near Town Hall and the Rocks Village crossing have sidewalks in short stretches, but most of the town's roads, orchards and hills require a car.
Rocks Village
Drive times
- Newburyport, about 6 miles12-15 min
- Logan International Airport, about 40 miles50-60 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
West Newbury sits between two MBTA Commuter Rail lines: the Haverhill Line to the west and the Newburyport/Rockport Line to the east, with no station inside the town itself. The town has no fixed-route local bus service.
West Newbury property taxes
West Newbury's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.15 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,015 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $9,893, on an average assessed value of $974,722.
West Newbury's FY2026 tax rates
$10.15per $1,000, residential
- Residential$10.15 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$974,722
- Average single-family tax bill$9,893
- 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 | $13.01 |
| FY2023 | $11.03 |
| FY2024 | $10.82 |
| FY2025 | $10.80 |
| FY2026 | $10.15 |
Look up a West Newbury property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in West Newbury
What we check on a West Newbury purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic and wells, smoke & co certificate.
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
Low-lying land along the Merrimack River, including Rocks Village and the riverfront near the Artichoke River, falls within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for West NewburySmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the West Newbury Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-363-1112 to schedule.
Much of West Newbury relies on private septic and wells
The town has no townwide public sewer system, so a Title 5 septic inspection is typically required before a home sale closes; some properties also rely on private wells rather than town water.
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. Contact the West Newbury Fire Department to schedule the inspection.
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 West Newbury?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a West Newbury address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to West Newbury: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in West Newbury: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- WaterPublic water through the West Newbury Water Department, plus private wells in some areas
- Sewer or septicMost of the town relies on private septic systems
- Trash and recyclingWest Newbury provides curbside collection with a 65-gallon trash cart and a 65-gallon recycling cart per household; trash is collected weekly and recycling biweekly, through G. Mello Disposal Corp.
- 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
G. Mello Transfer Station (Newbury)
75 Boston Road, Newbury, MA 01951
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
West Newbury Town Hall is at 381 Main Street, West Newbury, MA 01985. Main line: 978-363-1100.
- Town HallMain line and website978-363-1100
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, elections and dog licenses.978-363-1100 ext. 1139
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.978-363-1100 ext. 1117
- Treasurer/Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-363-1100 ext. 1114
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits, inspections and zoning enforcement.978-363-1100 ext. 1122
- Department of Public WorksRoads and town infrastructure.978-363-1100 ext. 1135
- Water DepartmentPublic water service.978-363-1100 ext. 1128
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections, well regulations and health permits.978-833-7458
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention, suppression and inspections.978-363-1112
- Police DepartmentNon-emergency police services.978-363-1212
- G.A.R. Memorial LibraryThe town's public library.978-363-1105
- Pentucket Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving West Newbury, Groveland and Merrimac.
West Newbury, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in West Newbury, MA?
West Newbury's FY2026 residential tax rate is $10.15 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 West Newbury?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,060 a year at $10.15 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does West Newbury have a split tax rate?
No. West Newbury uses a single rate of $10.15 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in West Newbury?
The average single-family tax bill in West Newbury was $9,893 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $974,722.
What ZIP code does West Newbury use?
The whole town uses ZIP code 01985.
Is trash pickup curbside in West Newbury?
Yes. Households get a 65-gallon trash cart and a 65-gallon recycling cart, collected curbside through G. Mello Disposal Corp., with trash weekly and recycling biweekly.
Who supplies electricity in West Newbury?
National Grid supplies electricity in West Newbury.
Is there a train station in West Newbury?
No station is inside the town; it sits between the MBTA Commuter Rail Haverhill Line to the west and the Newburyport/Rockport Line to the east.
How far is West Newbury from Newburyport?
West Newbury is about 6 miles from Newburyport, roughly a 12-to-15-minute drive.
Towns near West Newbury
Neighbors of West Newbury, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- West Newbury, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Rocks Village Historic District - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of West Newbury, MA official website: wnewbury.org
- G Mello Transfer Station Information - West Newbury, MA: wnewbury.org
- Town of West Newbury Directory: wnewbury.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.