First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Bristol County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Westport, Massachusetts
Westport is a coastal town in southern Bristol County, on Rhode Island Sound between Fall River and the Rhode Island line. It was incorporated in 1787 and takes its name from being the westernmost port in the old Massachusetts Bay Colony. The East and West branches of the Westport River run the length of town toward the harbor at Westport Point, and Horseneck Beach lies at the town's southern tip.
Westport at a glance
- $7.28Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $4,931Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- BristolCounty
- 1787Year incorporated
Westport's villages and zip codes
Westport uses two ZIP codes: 02790 for most of the town and 02791 for Westport Point.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Central Village | 02790 | Along Main Road near Town Hall, the town's civic and commercial center. |
| Westport Point | 02791 | A harbor village where the East and West branches of the Westport River meet, at the south end of town. |
| Head of Westport | 02790 | A village at the head of the Westport River in the northern part of town. |
| North Westport | 02790 | The northern section of town, bordering Fall River. |
| Acoaxet / Westport Harbor | 02791 | A shoreline area near the Rhode Island line, close to Horseneck Beach. |
Things to do in Westport, MA
Start with Horseneck Beach State Reservation and Westport Point, then 1 more below.
Horseneck Beach State Reservation
A state-run barrier beach on Rhode Island Sound with a mile-plus of sandy shoreline, a campground and a visitor center, near Gooseberry Island.
John Reed Rd, Westport, MA
Westport Point
A historic harbor village at the meeting of the Westport River's two branches, with a working waterfront and 18th- and 19th-century buildings.
Westport Point, MA
Gooseberry Island
A rocky former island, now connected by a causeway, with a walking loop and the remains of a World War II coastal defense installation.
Off Horseneck Beach, Westport, MA
A little history
Westport was first settled in 1670 as part of Old Dartmouth and incorporated as its own town in 1787.
Paul Cuffee, a Quaker businessman, sea captain and abolitionist, developed a shipyard on the banks of the Westport River in the early 1800s.
A coastal defense installation was built on Gooseberry Island during World War II.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Westport
Westport's two river branches and its stretch of Rhode Island Sound shoreline, including Horseneck Beach, make it one of the South Coast's larger outdoor destinations.
- Horseneck Beach State ReservationState beach and campground on Rhode Island Sound.
- Westport RiverEast and West branches used for boating, fishing and paddling, meeting at Westport Point.
- Gooseberry IslandCauseway-connected island with a walking loop and coastal views.
Walkability and getting around Westport
Central Village and Westport Point have some sidewalks and a walkable historic core, but Westport's large land area and rural, spread-out layout mean most errands require a car.
Drive times
- Providence, RI, about 30 miles
- New Bedford Regional Airport, about 8 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) serves Westport, with extended summer service to Horseneck Beach; there is no train station in town.
Westport property taxes
Westport's FY2026 residential tax rate is $7.28 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $728 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,931, on an average assessed value of $677,349.
Westport's FY2026 tax rates
$7.28per $1,000, residential
- Residential$7.28 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$677,349
- Average single-family tax bill$4,931
- 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 | $8.48 |
| FY2023 | $8.16 |
| FY2024 | $7.73 |
| FY2025 | $7.45 |
| FY2026 | $7.28 |
Look up a Westport property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-636-1012
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Westport
What we check on a Westport purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, coastal flood zone, well & septic.
Check the flood zone first
Shoreline along Rhode Island Sound and land along the Westport River's two branches, especially near Westport Point and Horseneck Beach, falls within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for WestportSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Westport Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-636-1110 to schedule.
Westport Fire Department pageCheck flood maps near the shoreline and river
Westport Point, Acoaxet and land near Horseneck Beach sit close to the Westport River and Rhode Island Sound, and can fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the water.
Many properties use private wells and septic
Much of Westport's rural land relies on private wells and septic systems rather than town water and sewer. Buyers should confirm well and septic condition, including a Title 5 inspection, before closing.
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 Westport?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Westport address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Westport: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Westport.
- Sewer or septicMostly private septic systems outside the town's limited sewered areas
- Trash and recyclingWestport runs a town transfer station and recycling center rather than curbside pickup, with separate drop-off for yard waste and household hazardous waste.
- 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
Westport Town Hall is at 816 Main Rd, Westport, MA 02790. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:00 PM. Main line: 508-636-1000.
- Town HallMain line and website508-636-1000
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.508-636-1000
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.508-636-1012
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.508-636-1010
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.508-636-1035
- Planning BoardZoning and land-use applications.508-636-1037
- Recreation DepartmentTown recreation programs and facilities.774-264-5181
- Highway DepartmentRoads and the transfer station.508-636-1020
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections, well permits and food-service inspections.508-636-1015
- Westport Free Public LibraryThe town's public library.508-636-1100
- Westport Community SchoolsThe town's public school district.
Westport, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Westport, MA?
Westport's FY2026 residential tax rate is $7.28 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 Westport?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $2,912 a year at $7.28 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Westport have a split tax rate?
No. Westport uses a single rate of $7.28 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Westport?
The average single-family tax bill in Westport was $4,931 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $677,349.
What county is Westport, MA in?
Westport is in Bristol County.
What ZIP codes does Westport use?
Westport uses 02790 for most of the town and 02791 for Westport Point.
Does Westport have curbside trash pickup?
No. Westport runs a town transfer station and recycling center rather than curbside collection.
Is there public transit in Westport?
The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) serves Westport, with extended summer service to Horseneck Beach.
Which towns border Westport?
Westport borders Fall River and Dartmouth in Massachusetts, and Tiverton and Little Compton in Rhode Island.
How far is Westport from Providence, RI?
Westport is about 30 miles from Providence, Rhode Island.
Towns near Westport
Neighbors of Westport, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Westport, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Westport, MA official website: westport-ma.com
- Contacts Directory - Westport, MA: westport-ma.com
- Westport Fire Department: westportfire.org
- Westport stone wall 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), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.