The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 01474 sells for about $524,000, or $258 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 34 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,451 a month.
ZIP 01474 — West Townsend
The housing market in 01474 is currently stable but faces headwinds from higher interest rates and limited inventory. Prices have seen modest year-over-year growth, but the high unemployment rate and tenant-protective regulations in Massachusetts create a cautious environment for investors. Buyers are primarily families looking for long-term residency rather than speculative opportunities.
This ZIP is best suited for family buyers seeking a rural lifestyle and commuters willing to trade longer drive times for more space, as the market presents challenges for short-term investors.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 34 days on market with 3.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 12.5% · poverty 9.2% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 01474, Middlesex County, MA
Townsend generally reports low crime rates consistent with rural Middlesex County, though property-related incidents remain the primary concern for residents.
Schools serving the area are part of the North Middlesex Regional School District, which generally maintains stable performance ratings.
The area faces moderate risk from winter storms and localized flooding near the Squannacook River, with standard insurance requirements for the region.
Economic momentum is driven by proximity to the Route 2 corridor and regional employment hubs in Leominster and Fitchburg, with limited large-scale commercial development.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Massachusetts) — Massachusetts Local Property Tax: Ad valorem tax calculated as (Municipal Budget / Total Assessed Value of all taxable property) = Tax Rate per $1,000 of assessed value. Assessments must be at 100% of full and fair cash (market) value.
Commuting typically requires personal vehicle use via Route 119 or Route 13, with limited public transit access to major employment centers in the Greater Boston area.
The area features significant access to outdoor recreation, including the Squannacook River Wildlife Management Area, local hiking trails, and small-town community parks.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and high demand, with a significant portion of stock consisting of single-family homes rather than multi-family complexes.
The local economy is largely supported by small businesses, regional manufacturing, and services, with many residents commuting to larger employment hubs in Middlesex County.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicles; there is no direct commuter rail access within the ZIP, requiring travel to nearby towns like Ayer for transit.
Development is strictly managed by local zoning bylaws, with a focus on preserving the rural character of the town and limiting high-density residential projects.
The county does not perform assessments; property valuation is managed by the Town of Townsend Board of Assessors.
Parcels are subject to North Middlesex Regional School District levies and standard municipal utility districts.
Property insurance premiums are rising due to regional climate risks, specifically winter storm damage and potential flood zone designations near water bodies.
Massachusetts is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for the foreclosure process.
Massachusetts is a caveat emptor state, though sellers must disclose known material defects in writing.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 01474 profile.
- Great Wolf Lodge | New England4.29.9 mi
- Kimball Farm Westford4.616.9 mi
- Nova Trampoline Park4.315.9 mi
- Nashoba Valley Tubing Park4.217.4 mi
- Roller Kingdom4.416.3 mi
- Wachusett Mountain Ski Area4.513.2 mi
- Gate City Casino4.314.4 mi
- The 1761 Old Mill4.510.7 mi
- The Butterfly Place4.615.9 mi
- Animal Adventures Family Zoo & Rescue Center4.517.2 mi
- Great Wolf Lodge | New England4.29.9 mi
- Milford Drive-In Theater4.612.6 mi
- Entertainment Luxury Cinemas Leominster49.4 mi
- Doyle Field4.69 mi
- Silver Lake State Park4.110.2 mi
- Fruitlands Museum4.613.1 mi
- Bancroft's Castle4.710.5 mi
- Fitchburg Art Museum4.76.2 mi
- Averill House Vineyard4.94.8 mi
- The Icon Museum and Study Center4.817.7 mi
- Rogers Field4.511 mi
- Doyle Field4.69 mi
- Silver Lake State Park4.110.2 mi
- Nashua River Rail Trail Head4.811.6 mi
- Coggshall Park4.77.7 mi
- Shady Point Beach & Campground4.48.3 mi
- Red Tail Golf Club412 mi
- Overlook Golf Club4.411.1 mi
- Coggshall Park4.77.7 mi
- Woods of Westminster Golf Course4.38.7 mi
- Oak Hill Country Club4.78.4 mi
- The Mall at Whitney Field3.89.5 mi
- Brookdale Fruit Farm Inc.4.510 mi
- Marshalls4.38.2 mi
- Kohl's4.210 mi
- Burlington4.19.6 mi
- Manchester-Boston Regional Airport4.624.2 mi
- Worcester Regional Airport4.628.4 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Large protected area for hiking, fishing, and wildlife observation.
Extensive trail network for mountain biking and cross-country skiing.
Key-figure check: median price corroborated by the published ten-year series (2024) (within 12.5%).