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
Living in Westford, Massachusetts
Westford is a town in northern Middlesex County that began as a village of Chelmsford known as West Chelmsford before growing large enough to become its own town in 1729. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries its economy centered on granite quarrying, apple orchards and worsted-yarn mills; from the 1960s through the 1990s the town became home to technology-company offices including Nokia, Red Hat, Samsung and Seagate.
Westford at a glance
- $13.11Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $11,171Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- MiddlesexCounty
- 1729Year incorporated
Westford's villages and zip codes
Westford uses ZIP code 01886.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Westford center | 01886 | Along Main Street, where Town Hall and the J.V. Fletcher Library are located. |
| Forge Village | 01886 | In the northwest part of town, a former mill village. |
| Graniteville | 01886 | In the north of town, named for its 19th-century granite quarrying. |
| Nabnasset | 01886 | In the northeast part of town, near the Nabnasset Lake area. |
Things to do in Westford, MA
Start with Kimball Farm and Nashoba Valley Ski Area, then 2 more below.
Kimball Farm
A farm stand and family entertainment spot with an ice cream stand, mini golf and a driving range.
Westford, MA
Nashoba Valley Ski Area
A ski and snowboard area in winter that switches to a golf course in warmer months.
Westford, MA
J.V. Fletcher Library
The town's public library, built in 1895 and currently undergoing a renovation and expansion project.
50 Main St, Westford, MA
Westford Knight
A carved boulder in the woods off Depot Street whose markings have long drawn local curiosity and legend.
Depot St, Westford, MA
A little history
Westford began as a village of Chelmsford known as West Chelmsford and grew large enough to be set off as its own town in 1729.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Westford's economy centered on granite quarrying, apple growing and worsted-yarn production.
From the 1960s through the 1990s, Westford became a technology hub with offices for companies including Nokia, Red Hat, Samsung and Seagate.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Westford
Westford's recreation centers on Kimball Farm and Nashoba Valley Ski Area, which combines winter skiing with summer golf.
- Nashoba Valley Ski AreaDownhill skiing and snowboarding in winter; a golf course in the warmer months.
- Kimball FarmFarm stand, ice cream and family activities including mini golf.
Walkability and getting around Westford
Westford's village centers such as Forge Village and Graniteville have some sidewalks, but most of town is built for driving between the center, villages and Route 110/Route 40 corridors.
Drive times
- Lowell
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The LRTA Route 15 bus connects Westford along Route 110 with Chelmsford and the Lowell train station. Westford has no MBTA Commuter Rail station of its own.
Westford property taxes
Westford's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.11 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,311 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $11,171, on an average assessed value of $852,122.
Westford's FY2026 tax rates
$13.11per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.11 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$852,122
- Average single-family tax bill$11,171
- 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 | $16.12 |
| FY2023 | $14.76 |
| FY2024 | $13.77 |
| FY2025 | $13.47 |
| FY2026 | $13.11 |
Look up a Westford property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Westford
What we check on a Westford purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke/co certificate.
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 WestfordSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Westford Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-399-2345 to schedule.
Fire Department inspection required before closing
Massachusetts law requires a smoke and carbon-monoxide detector certificate of compliance before a home sale closes. In Westford this inspection is scheduled through the Fire Department.
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 Westford?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Westford address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Westford: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Westford.
- WaterWestford Water Department serves developed parts of town; some areas rely on private wells.
- Trash and recyclingWestford runs a hybrid Pay-As-You-Throw program: each household gets one free 35-gallon trash cart collected weekly by hauler E.L. Harvey, and recycling is free and unlimited. Extra trash beyond the cart requires town-branded overflow bags, $2.75 each or $13.75 for a roll of five.
- 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
Westford Town Hall is at 55 Main St, Westford, MA 01886. Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 8am-4pm; Tue 8am-6:30pm; Fri 8am-1pm. Main line: 978-692-5500.
- Town HallMain line and website978-692-5500
- Assessors DepartmentProperty values and assessments.978-692-5504
- Tax Collector/TreasurerProperty tax billing and payment.978-692-5506
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and licensing.978-692-5515
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections and well permits.978-692-5509
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and smoke/CO certificates for home sales.978-399-2345
- Building DepartmentPermits and inspections.978-692-5527
- Planning BoardLand use and development.978-692-5524
- Department of Public WorksRoads, trash and recycling.978-692-5520
- Water DepartmentPublic water service.978-692-5529
- J.V. Fletcher LibraryThe town's public library.
Westford, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Westford, MA?
Westford's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.11 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 Westford?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,244 a year at $13.11 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Westford have a split tax rate?
No. Westford uses a single rate of $13.11 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Westford?
The average single-family tax bill in Westford was $11,171 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $852,122.
What county is Westford, MA in?
Westford is in Middlesex County.
What ZIP code does Westford use?
Westford uses ZIP code 01886.
Does Westford have curbside trash pickup?
Yes. Westford runs a hybrid Pay-As-You-Throw program with weekly curbside collection by E.L. Harvey; each household gets one free 35-gallon cart, and extra trash needs town-branded overflow bags.
Is there public transit in Westford?
The LRTA Route 15 bus runs along Route 110 connecting Westford to Chelmsford and the Lowell train station. Westford has no MBTA Commuter Rail station.
Which towns border Westford?
Westford borders Tyngsborough, Groton, Chelmsford, Littleton, Acton and Carlisle.
What is required before selling a house in Westford?
Massachusetts law requires a smoke and carbon-monoxide detector certificate, inspected by the Westford Fire Department, before closing.
Towns near Westford
Neighbors of Westford, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Westford, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Westford, MA official website: westfordma.gov
- Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Program - Westford, MA: westfordma.gov
- Trash, Recycling & Compost - Westford, MA: westfordma.gov
- Town of Westford Staff Directory: westfordma.gov
- Old Westford Academy 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: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.