Essex ZIP Codes — Essex County, NY

There is one unique ZIP code in Essex, New York and it is 12936. Area code: 518/838.
1
ZIP codes
40.85
sq mi land
0.10
sq mi water
518/838
area code
Essex, NY ZIP code map

About Essex, NY

Essex is a charming town located in New York, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and small-town charm. Nestled in Essex County, this picturesque locality is characterized by its serene landscapes and close-knit community. Essex serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures amidst the stunning backdrop of the Adirondack Mountains.

Location & geography

Essex, NY is strategically located along the shores of Lake Champlain and is approximately 22 miles south of Plattsburgh and about 15 miles east of Westport. The town encompasses a land area of 40.85 square miles, with a minor water area of 0.10 square miles primarily associated with its proximity to the lake. The terrain is marked by rolling hills and scenic waterfront, making it a favorable spot for nature enthusiasts.

Community & economy

The character of Essex is defined by its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, with residents taking pride in their community and its preservation. The local economy traditionally revolves around tourism, agriculture, and light manufacturing, providing diverse opportunities for employment. Daily life in Essex includes community events, outdoor activities such as hiking and boating, and a strong appreciation for local arts and culture.

Transportation

Essex is accessed primarily via New York State Route 22, which facilitates travel to neighboring towns and cities. The nearest major airport is Plattsburgh International Airport, located about 22 miles away, offering domestic flights for residents and visitors. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transportation in the area.

History

Essex was established in the early 19th century and has roots in agriculture and trade due to its strategic waterfront location on Lake Champlain. The town has seen significant growth in tourism over the years, becoming a popular destination for visitors seeking outdoor recreational activities and scenic picturesque views. Key events in Essex's history include its development as a prominent stop along the lake for steamboats in the 1800s.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Essex is its location on the historic site of the Old Essex-Crossing, a vital transportation point in the early days of American settlement. Additionally, Essex hosts an annual 'Art in the Adirondacks' festival that showcases local artists and emphasizes the town's commitment to arts and culture.

ZIP codes for Essex, NY (1)
ZIP code City County Map
12936 Essex Essex View map

Demographics & statistics

671
Population
57.8
Median age
$71,154
Median household income
$39,021
Per capita income
$217,600
Median home value
$1,298
Median monthly rent
88.7%
Home ownership
10.4%
Poverty rate
6.3%
Unemployment
621
Housing units
49.0%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
6
Under 5
6
15
5–9
15
19
10–14
18
17
15–19
16
16
20–24
16
32
25–34
31
16
35–44
16
44
45–54
42
14
55–59
14
61
60–64
59
62
65–74
60
28
75–84
28
10
85+
10
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1810315.4%
18 and over56884.6%
65 and over19829.5%
Median age57.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96.3%
Two or more races 3%
Hispanic or Latino 0.4%
Other race 0.3%
GroupCount%
White64996.3%
Two or more races203%
Hispanic or Latino30.4%
Other race20.3%

Household income

Under $10k 4.2%
$10k–$15k 3.9%
$15k–$25k 0.3%
$25k–$35k 10.6%
$35k–$50k 9.4%
$50k–$75k 27.4%
$75k–$100k 14.2%
$100k–$150k 14.2%
$150k–$200k 6.8%
$200k+ 9.0%
Range% of households
Under $10k4.2%
$10k–$15k3.9%
$15k–$25k0.3%
$25k–$35k10.6%
$35k–$50k9.4%
$50k–$75k27.4%
$75k–$100k14.2%
$100k–$150k14.2%
$150k–$200k6.8%
$200k+9.0%
Median income$71,154

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.6%
$50k–$100k 6.9%
$100k–$150k 15.3%
$150k–$200k 20.7%
$200k–$300k 13.1%
$300k–$500k 29.5%
$500k–$1M 10.2%
$1M+ 0.7%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$217,600
Median rent / month$1,298
Owner occupied88.7%
Renter occupied11.3%
Vacant52.7%
Single-family detached91.2%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes5.3%
Median rooms6.2
Avg household size (owned)2.17

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.3%
2010–20190.9%
2000–200911.1%
1990–19994.1%
1980–198911.0%
1970–19799.8%
1960–19692.4%
1950–19595.2%
1940–19493.5%
1939 or earlier51.7%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)4.7%
1 bedroom7.5%
2 bedrooms21.6%
3 bedrooms36.6%
4 bedrooms26.5%
5+ bedrooms3.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle7.7%
1 vehicle31.0%
2 vehicles42.3%
3 or more19.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas1.3%
Electricity0.6%
Propane / LP gas15.8%
Fuel oil46.5%
Wood30.3%
No fuel used3.5%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family18158.4%
Cohabiting couple165.2%
Male householder, no spouse5317.1%
Female householder, no spouse6019.4%
Households with children under 184313.9%
Households with seniors (65+)14446.5%
Average household size2.16

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married19.9%24.3%
Married63.8%55.8%
Separated0.0%3.7%
Widowed3.0%7.8%
Divorced13.3%8.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.3%
Some HS, no diploma 2.7%
HS graduate 25.8%
Some college, no degree 15.2%
Associate's degree 5.1%
Bachelor's degree 25.0%
Graduate / professional 23.9%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher95.1%
Bachelor's or higher49.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool33.2%
Kindergarten33.2%
Elementary school6265.3%
High school2021.1%
College / grad school77.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 35.6%
Agriculture & mining 12.9%
Professional & management 9.2%
Arts, food & hospitality 7.4%
Other services 7.4%
Retail trade 6.7%
Construction 6.4%
Public administration 4.9%
Transportation & utilities 2.8%
Finance & real estate 2.5%
Manufacturing 2.1%
Information 2.1%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts52.1%
Service19.6%
Sales & office15.6%
Natural resources & construction9.8%
Production & transportation2.8%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector67.8%
Government17.5%
Self-employed12.3%
Unpaid family workers2.5%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone64.7%
Carpool8.0%
Public transit0.0%
Walk2.9%
Other means9.3%
Avg commute (minutes)23.7

Poverty

All people 10.4%
Under 18 years 21.4%
18 and over 8.5%
Married-couple families 1.7%
Female-led households 53.8%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security55.2%
Retirement income48.4%
Supplemental Security3.2%
Cash public assistance0.3%
Food stamps / SNAP9.0%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure35.4%
High cholesterol36.0%
Heart disease7.5%
Stroke3.3%
Asthma9.8%
Arthritis27.6%
Kidney disease3.2%
Pulmonary disease7.6%
Cancer8.6%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking17.0%
No physical activity23.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep31.8%
Fair or poor health12.1%
Poor mental health12.9%
Poor physical health10.2%
No health insurance9.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)79.4%
Visited dentist68.9%
Cholesterol screening92.7%
Teeth loss11.9%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans264.6%
Disability%
Any disability16.1%
Under 182.9%
18–64 years14.3%
65 and over26.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance63.3%
Public insurance45.6%
Uninsured under 1936.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only65998.2%
Spanish8813.4%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander8813.4%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)66398.8%
Born in same state65898.1%
Born in different state38256.9%
Foreign born50.7%
Naturalized citizen81.2%
Not a US citizen675.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French18727.9%
Italian13520.1%
English263.9%
German172.5%
AncestryCount%
Irish172.5%
Polish81.2%
Arab71%
Norwegian30.4%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access46.2%
Internet access88.7%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Essex, NY have?
Essex, NY has one ZIP code: 12936. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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