Williamstown center
31 North Street, Williamstown, MA 01267
Living in Williamstown, Massachusetts
Williamstown is a college town in the northwest corner of Berkshire County, bordering Vermont and New York, where the Hoosic and Green Rivers meet. Settled as West Hoosac in 1749 and incorporated in 1765, it grew around Williams College, founded in 1793 with funds left by Col. Ephraim Williams. The town center along Main and Spring Streets mixes the college campus with the Clark Art Institute and the Williamstown Theatre Festival, while Mount Greylock State Reservation occupies its southwestern corner.
Williamstown at a glance
- $14.20Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $7,996Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 35-40 minDrive to Pittsfield
- BerkshireCounty
Williamstown's villages and zip codes
Williamstown uses ZIP code 01267.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Williamstown center | 01267 | The town center along Main and Spring Streets, where Town Hall, Williams College and most shops and restaurants are located. |
| South Williamstown | 01267 | A rural section of town south of the center along Route 7, near the Taconic Range. |
Things to do in Williamstown, MA
Start with Clark Art Institute and Williamstown Theatre Festival, then 2 more below.
Clark Art Institute
An art museum and research institute with European and American paintings, including works by Renoir, Sargent and Homer, set on landscaped grounds with walking trails.
225 South Street, Williamstown, MA
Plan a visitWilliamstown Theatre Festival
A Tony Award-winning summer theater festival staging new and classic plays on the Williams College campus.
1000 Main Street, Williamstown, MA
Plan a visitWilliams College Museum of Art (WCMA)
The college's art museum, open to the public, with a collection spanning ancient to contemporary art.
15 Lawrence Hall Drive, Williamstown, MA
Plan a visitMount Greylock State Reservation
The state reservation around Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, occupying Williamstown's southwestern corner, with hiking trails and a summit road.
Rockwell Road, Williamstown, MA
Plan a visit
More worth a visit
- Taconic Trail State ParkA state park along the Taconic Range on the New York border.
A little history
Settled in 1749 as West Hoosac, the town was incorporated as Williamstown in 1765.
Williams College was founded in 1793 using funds left by Col. Ephraim Williams, who died in the French and Indian War; the college grew out of a free school established in his name.
The Appalachian Trail crosses through Williamstown twice, near the southeastern corner of town and again along the North Adams border.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Williamstown
Mount Greylock, the Taconic Range and the Hoosic and Green Rivers give Williamstown mountain, ridge and river recreation, with the Appalachian Trail crossing town twice.
- Mount Greylock State ReservationHiking trails and a summit road up Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, in the town's southwestern corner.More information
- Taconic Trail State ParkTrails along the Taconic Range on Williamstown's western border with New York.
- Clark Art Institute groundsLandscaped walking trails on the museum's 140-acre campus, open to the public.More information
Walkability and getting around Williamstown
Downtown Williamstown, around Spring Street and the Williams College campus, has sidewalks connecting shops, restaurants and campus buildings, but South Williamstown and outlying roads are built for driving.
Drive times
- Pittsfield, about 25 miles35-40 min
- Albany International Airport, about 35 miles45-50 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) provides local bus service between Williamstown, North Adams and Pittsfield, and the Green Mountain Express Purple Line runs a weekday commuter bus north to Bennington, Vermont. Peter Pan Lines operates daily intercity bus service between Williamstown and New York City. There is no passenger rail station in town.
Williamstown property taxes
Williamstown's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,420 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $7,996, on an average assessed value of $563,078.
Williamstown's FY2026 tax rates
$14.20per $1,000, residential
- Residential$14.20 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$563,078
- Average single-family tax bill$7,996
- 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 | $16.92 |
| FY2023 | $16.17 |
| FY2024 | $15.15 |
| FY2025 | $13.80 |
| FY2026 | $14.20 |
Look up a Williamstown property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-597-8320
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Williamstown
What we check on a Williamstown purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, pay-as-you-throw, septic & wells.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Berkshire County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
The Hoosic and Green Rivers meet in Williamstown, putting low-lying parcels near their banks in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for WilliamstownSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Williamstown Fire Department before the sale closes.
No curbside pickup; trash uses paid tags
Williamstown has no curbside trash collection. Residents need an annual transfer station permit plus pay-as-you-throw tags to dispose of trash, though recycling and food-waste drop-off are included with the permit.
Trash and RecyclingSome parcels rely on private well and septic
Outside the town center, some Williamstown properties rely on private wells and septic systems rather than municipal water and sewer. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before most home sales, handled through the Health 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 Williamstown?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Williamstown address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Williamstown: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Williamstown: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- Natural gasBerkshire Gas Company serves parts of town; some areas have no natural gas service
- WaterTown of Williamstown Water Department, a municipal utility
- Sewer or septicTown of Williamstown provides municipal sewer service in the developed parts of town; outlying parcels may rely on septic systems.
- Trash and recyclingWilliamstown has no curbside trash collection. Residents bring waste to the town transfer station with an annual permit sticker (on sale each June, required by July 1) and pay-as-you-throw tags costing $2 each, or $10 for a sheet of five; one tag covers a 15-gallon bag. Recycling and food-waste drop-off are included with a valid permit.
- 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
Williamstown Transfer Station
671 Simonds Road, Williamstown, MA 01267
Pay-as-you-throw tags: $2 each or $10 per sheet of five
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Williamstown Town Hall is at 31 North Street, Williamstown, MA 01267. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Main line: 413-458-3500.
- Town HallMain line and website413-458-3500
- Town ClerkVital records, elections and licensing.413-458-3500
- AssessorProperty values and assessments; online property maps available.413-597-8320
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.413-217-4908
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.
- Fire DepartmentFire, rescue and permitting for burning, fireworks and oil tanks.413-458-8113
- Health DepartmentSeptic system and well construction permitting.413-597-8287
- Department of Public WorksRoads, water, sewer and town infrastructure.
- Milne Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- Williamstown Elementary School / Mount Greylock Regional School DistrictThe town's public schools.
Williamstown, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Williamstown, MA?
Williamstown's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.20 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 Williamstown?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,680 a year at $14.20 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Williamstown have a split tax rate?
No. Williamstown uses a single rate of $14.20 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Williamstown?
The average single-family tax bill in Williamstown was $7,996 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $563,078.
Does Williamstown have curbside trash pickup?
No. Williamstown residents bring trash to the transfer station with an annual permit and pay-as-you-throw tags; recycling and food waste drop-off are included with the permit.
Who supplies electricity in Williamstown?
National Grid is the electric utility serving Williamstown.
What ZIP code does Williamstown use?
Williamstown uses ZIP code 01267.
How far is Williamstown from Pittsfield?
Williamstown is about 25 miles from Pittsfield, roughly a 35-40 minute drive.
Is there bus service in Williamstown?
Yes. The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority connects Williamstown to North Adams and Pittsfield, and Peter Pan Lines runs daily intercity buses to New York City.
Which towns border Williamstown?
Williamstown borders Clarksburg, North Adams, Adams, New Ashford and Hancock in Massachusetts, plus Vermont to the north and New York to the west.
Towns near Williamstown
Neighbors of Williamstown, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Williamstown, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Williamstown, MA - official website: williamstownma.gov
- Trash and Recycling - Town of Williamstown: williamstownma.gov
- Assessor - Town of Williamstown: williamstownma.gov
- Fire Department - Town of Williamstown: williamstownma.gov
- Health Department - Town of Williamstown: williamstownma.gov
- Town Clerk - Town of Williamstown: williamstownma.gov
- Treasurer/Collector - Town of Williamstown: williamstownma.gov
- National Grid warns customers about utility scams - Town of Williamstown: williamstownma.gov
- Clark Art Institute: clarkart.edu
- Williamstown Theatre Festival: wtfestival.org
- Mount Greylock State Reservation - Mass.gov: mass.gov
- Williamstown Route 2 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: Daderot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.