Duxbury, MA Real Estate: A Local Broker's Guide to Buying and Selling
Why Duxbury
Duxbury sits on Duxbury Bay, about 35 miles southeast of Boston, with a population of 16,090 at the 2020 Census (Wikipedia). It was settled by Pilgrims who left Plymouth, including John Alden and Myles Standish, and was incorporated in 1637 (Studylib history of Duxbury). Today it's a working coastal town with a busy harbor, a six mile barrier beach, and some of the best known oysters in the country, right next door to Marshfield.
The Neighborhoods
Duxbury has three main business areas: the Snug Harbor waterfront, Hall's Corner and Millbrook (Envision Duxbury Master Plan). Most people describe where they live by a named area rather than a village center.
- Powder Point, the Bay Shore and Duxbury Beach: Buyers here want to be on or near the water, with bay views, a dock where the property allows, and an easy trip over the bridge to the beach. These are the premier coastal homes in town, and they bring Duxbury's highest prices. Powder Point is also home to the King Caesar House and the Powder Point Bridge.
- Snug Harbor and Washington Street: Classic New England charm. Washington Street runs through the Old Shipbuilders Historic District, Duxbury's National Register district, lined with homes from the shipbuilding era (Studylib history of Duxbury). Buyers love the historic colonials, tree lined streets and the walk to the harbor, the Town Pier, the shops and cafes.
- Hall's Corner, Millbrook and South Duxbury: The convenient middle of town. Hall's Corner is the small hub of shops and services where Tinkertown, Millbrook, South Duxbury and Standish Shore meet. Buyers here want to be close to dining, errands and everyday amenities, and South Duxbury puts you closer to Route 3 and the Kingston train.
- Island Creek, High Street and Ashdod: Buyers come here for privacy, larger lots and a quieter, wooded setting. They also get more house and land for the money than on the water, while staying a short drive from the bay, conservation land and Route 3. Island Creek is also home to Island Creek Oysters.
Beaches and Things to Do
- Duxbury Beach is a six mile barrier beach, reached by the Powder Point Bridge from Duxbury or by Gurnet Road from Marshfield (Wikipedia). It's owned by Duxbury Beach Reservation, a nonprofit that leases much of it to the town (Duxbury Police beach guide). Walking on is free year round, and parking in season needs a resident sticker (North and South Rivers Watershed Association).
- The Powder Point Bridge is about 2,200 feet long and has long been called the longest wooden bridge in America (Duxbury Rural and Historical Society). The current bridge opened in 1987 after a fire damaged the original (Drew Archival Library).
- Island Creek Oysters are grown in Duxbury Bay, and the Raw Bar sits right on the water at 403 Washington Street (Island Creek Oysters).
- The King Caesar House is the 1808 home of shipbuilder Ezra Weston II, overlooking the bay and open to the public (Studylib history of Duxbury).
Schools
Duxbury Public Schools has four schools: Chandler School (PreK to grade 2), Alden School (grades 3 to 5), Duxbury Middle School (grades 6 to 8) and Duxbury High School (grades 9 to 12) (Duxbury Public Schools).
Getting to Boston
- By car: Route 3 runs through town, with exits 20 and 22 (Wikipedia). On a light traffic day, the drive into the city is about 40 minutes (Boston Magazine).
- By train: The nearest commuter rail stop is Kingston station, just south of town (Wikipedia). The ride to South Station takes just under an hour (Boston Magazine).
The Duxbury Market Right Now
Based on MLS PIN single family sales in Duxbury from August 25 to October 19, 2026:
| Duxbury | |
|---|---|
| Homes sold | 30 |
| Median sale price | $1,191,000 |
| Median sale price per square foot | $487 |
| Median days on market | 31.5 |
| Median days to offer | 19.5 |
| Price range | $525,000 to $4,750,000 |
| Homes for sale right now | 31 (median list price $1,850,000) |
| Homes under agreement right now | 17 |
- 12 homes sold under $1 million, 9 sold between $1 million and $1.5 million, 4 sold between $1.5 million and $2 million, and 5 sold for $2 million or more.
- 15 of the 30 homes sold within 30 days on the market.
- Of the 31 homes for sale now, 14 are listed at $2 million or more, and 13 have been on the market for more than 90 days.
- With 31 homes for sale and about 15 sales a month, Duxbury has about two months of inventory.
Source: MLS Property Information Network, Duxbury single family sales from the last 60 days, plus active, under agreement and contingent listings, as of October 24, 2026. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
What I'm seeing: Buyers are being more choosy. If a home isn't priced to be the best option in its price range, it will sit. In Duxbury that shows up clearly at the top of the market: most of the homes that have been sitting are priced at $2 million and up, while well priced homes under $1.5 million keep selling. Six homes sat for more than 90 days before they sold.
What Duxbury Sellers Should Know
Title 5 and septic. Duxbury doesn't have a town sewer system (Studylib history of Duxbury), so a Title 5 inspection is part of almost every sale. The town's Board of Health has its own rules on top of the state code, and a cesspool is an automatic upgrade (Town of Duxbury Board of Health). Getting the inspection done before we list keeps surprises out of the deal.
Beach stickers. Buyers often ask about the beach. Resident beach stickers are issued to vehicles registered to a Duxbury property owner or a qualifying year round renter (Town of Duxbury).
Property taxes. The Fiscal Year 2026 rate is $9.96 per $1,000 of assessed value (DistrictFacts), and Duxbury uses a single rate for homes and businesses (South Shore News).
Pricing at the top of the market. In Duxbury, a waterfront home on Powder Point and an inland Colonial in Ashdod attract very different buyers. When I prepare a market analysis, I compare your home to recent sales in your own part of town and your own price range, not just the town median.
How I Help Duxbury Sellers
- A detailed market analysis with three pricing options and a recommendation
- Staging and decorator support
- Professional photography, twilight photos, video and coastal marketing
- Title 5 and other questions sorted out before we list, not during the sale
- Direct broker attention from start to finish, from a broker right next door in Marshfield
See homes for sale in Duxbury | What's my home worth?
Common Questions
How long does it take to sell a home in Duxbury?
Over the last 60 days, the median Duxbury home had an accepted offer in about 20 days and spent about 32 days on the market.
Is Duxbury on town sewer?
No. Duxbury doesn't have a sewer system, so most homes have septic and need a Title 5 inspection when they sell (Studylib history of Duxbury).
Can I commute to Boston from Duxbury?
Yes. Route 3 runs through town, and the Kingston commuter rail station is just south of Duxbury (Wikipedia).
What is the property tax rate in Duxbury?
$9.96 per $1,000 of assessed value for Fiscal Year 2026 (DistrictFacts).
Janet E. Gillis, Broker and Owner, REALTOR, ABR
Town & Country Realty Massachusetts LLC
1 Snow Rd, Suite 1A, Marshfield, MA 02050
339-933-0932 | Janet@mytownandcountryrealty.com