Essex ZIP Code List — Essex County, MA

There is one unique ZIP code in Essex, Massachusetts and it is 01929. Area code: 978.
1
ZIP codes
13.94
sq mi land
2.08
sq mi water
978
area code
Essex, MA ZIP code map

About Essex, MA

Essex is a charming town located in Massachusetts, well-known for its rich maritime history and vibrant coastal character. Nestled within Essex County, this picturesque town offers residents and visitors alike a delightful blend of beautiful scenic views and small-town charm. With its welcoming community and unique attractions, Essex serves as a hidden gem on the North Shore of Massachusetts.

Location & geography

Essex is situated approximately 22 miles northeast of Boston and is bordered by the towns of Manchester-by-the-Sea to the south, Ipswich to the north, and Gloucester to the east. The town covers a total land area of 13.94 square miles, alongside a water area of 2.08 square miles, providing plenty of opportunities for boating and fishing. The terrain features a mix of coastal landscapes and woodlands, making it a beautiful area for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The character of Essex is defined by its picturesque coastal environment and a tight-knit community that takes pride in its heritage. The local economy has historically been influenced by shipbuilding and fishing, with unique businesses such as the historic Essex Shipbuilding Museum serving as a testament to the town's maritime past. Daily life in Essex often revolves around outdoor activities, community events, and local dining establishments that celebrate the town's seafood traditions.

Transportation

Essex is conveniently accessible via Route 133, a key roadway that connects the town to neighboring areas. The nearest major highways include Route 128, which provides direct access to Boston and other metropolitan areas. For air travel, the nearest airport is Logan International Airport in Boston, located approximately 30 miles away.

History

Essex was founded in the early 17th century and quickly became a center for shipbuilding due to its strategic location along the coast. The town has a rich history tied to the fishing industry, with numerous shipyards and factories once operating along its waterways. Notable events include the establishment of local entities like the Essex Historical Society that keep the town's legacy alive.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Essex is that it is home to the largest collection of shipbuilding artifacts in the country, preserved at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. Additionally, the town is known for its annual 'Essex ClamFest,' a popular event that celebrates local seafood and community spirit.

ZIP codes for Essex, MA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
01929 Essex Essex View map

Demographics & statistics

3,648
Population
45.0
Median age
$133,026
Median household income
$64,234
Per capita income
$733,400
Median home value
$1,556
Median monthly rent
81.0%
Home ownership
8.5%
Poverty rate
1.3%
Unemployment
1,310
Housing units
63.3%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
130
Under 5
126
92
5–9
89
152
10–14
148
136
15–19
131
35
20–24
34
144
25–34
140
237
35–44
230
376
45–54
364
144
55–59
140
124
60–64
121
195
65–74
188
56
75–84
55
31
85+
30
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1896326.4%
18 and over2,68573.6%
65 and over55515.2%
Median age45.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.2%
Two or more races 1.1%
Hispanic or Latino 1%
Other race 0.7%
GroupCount%
White3,58197.2%
Two or more races411.1%
Hispanic or Latino381%
Other race260.7%

Household income

Under $10k 0.7%
$10k–$15k 0.5%
$15k–$25k 6.9%
$25k–$35k 8.5%
$35k–$50k 4.3%
$50k–$75k 8.7%
$75k–$100k 11.2%
$100k–$150k 14.8%
$150k–$200k 14.9%
$200k+ 29.4%
Range% of households
Under $10k0.7%
$10k–$15k0.5%
$15k–$25k6.9%
$25k–$35k8.5%
$35k–$50k4.3%
$50k–$75k8.7%
$75k–$100k11.2%
$100k–$150k14.8%
$150k–$200k14.9%
$200k+29.4%
Median income$133,026

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 0.8%
$50k–$100k 0.6%
$200k–$300k 1.4%
$300k–$500k 17.9%
$500k–$1M 61.6%
$1M+ 17.6%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$733,400
Median rent / month$1,556
Owner occupied81.0%
Renter occupied19.0%
Vacant12.7%
Single-family detached71.9%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes0.0%
Median rooms7.1
Avg household size (owned)2.87

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20195.5%
2000–200912.0%
1990–199911.0%
1980–19896.3%
1970–19799.5%
1960–19699.7%
1950–19597.3%
1940–19490.4%
1939 or earlier38.3%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom7.9%
2 bedrooms23.1%
3 bedrooms46.7%
4 bedrooms17.3%
5+ bedrooms5.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle1.3%
1 vehicle28.6%
2 vehicles49.8%
3 or more20.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas40.6%
Electricity12.4%
Propane / LP gas6.6%
Fuel oil35.5%
Wood3.1%
Solar1.7%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family79558.0%
Cohabiting couple1208.8%
Male householder, no spouse16311.9%
Female householder, no spouse29221.3%
Households with children under 1851737.7%
Households with seniors (65+)37527.4%
Average household size2.66

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married26.4%32.8%
Married60.6%51.9%
Separated0.0%0.4%
Widowed3.2%3.8%
Divorced9.7%10.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.7%
Some HS, no diploma 2.6%
HS graduate 13.1%
Some college, no degree 11.5%
Associate's degree 7.9%
Bachelor's degree 33.2%
Graduate / professional 30.1%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher95.7%
Bachelor's or higher63.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool617.4%
Kindergarten404.9%
Elementary school41050.0%
High school27133.0%
College / grad school384.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 25.1%
Professional & management 13.4%
Arts, food & hospitality 12.9%
Finance & real estate 9.7%
Construction 8.2%
Public administration 7.1%
Manufacturing 6.7%
Information 5.6%
Retail trade 3.8%
Agriculture & mining 2.8%
Transportation & utilities 2.7%
Other services 2.1%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts60.9%
Service14.8%
Sales & office12.4%
Natural resources & construction9.1%
Production & transportation2.9%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector68.1%
Government19.5%
Self-employed12.5%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone63.9%
Carpool6.9%
Public transit1.8%
Walk6.2%
Other means0.4%
Avg commute (minutes)26.7

Poverty

All people 8.5%
Under 18 years 16.3%
18 and over 5.9%
Married-couple families 5.2%
Female-led households 42.5%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security25.5%
Retirement income14.5%
Supplemental Security3.1%
Cash public assistance1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP9.1%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure26.8%
High cholesterol30.5%
Heart disease5.4%
Stroke2.3%
Asthma10.5%
Arthritis25.2%
Kidney disease2.5%
Pulmonary disease4.7%
Cancer7.5%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking16.7%
No physical activity17.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep27.6%
Fair or poor health8.7%
Poor mental health12.3%
Poor physical health7.7%
No health insurance4.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)80.7%
Visited dentist80.8%
Cholesterol screening93.3%
Teeth loss7.5%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans1475.5%
Disability%
Any disability12.3%
Under 185.2%
18–64 years10.2%
65 and over32.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance85.2%
Public insurance25.0%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only3,39293.0%
Spanish441.3%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander441.3%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)3,53296.8%
Born in same state3,50095.9%
Born in different state2,58971.0%
Foreign born320.9%
Naturalized citizen1163.2%
Not a US citizen5648.3%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian78021.4%
French73720.2%
German1574.3%
Arab1072.9%
Polish521.4%
AncestryCount%
English381%
Norwegian130.4%
Dutch100.3%
Irish60.2%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access37.6%
Internet access98.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for Essex, MA?
Essex, MA has one ZIP code: 01929.
What is the main ZIP code for Essex, MA?
The primary ZIP code for Essex, MA is 01929. The city uses area code 978 for phone service.
What county is Essex, MA in?
Essex is located in Essex County, Massachusetts.
How many ZIP codes are in Essex, MA?
Essex, MA has 1 ZIP code.
What ZIP code covers the Essex waterfront and harbor district?
The Essex waterfront and harbor area, including the historic Essex River and marina district, is located in ZIP code 01929.
What is the ZIP code for downtown Essex near Main Street?
Downtown Essex, including the Main Street commercial area and town center, uses ZIP code 01929.
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