There is one unique ZIP code in Fort Edward, New York and it is 12828. Area code: 518.
1
ZIP codes
45.09
sq mi land
1.50
sq mi water
518
area code
Fort Edward, NY ZIP code map
About Fort Edward, NY
Fort Edward is a town and village located in Washington County, New York, serving as an important community in the upper Hudson Valley region. Covered by the single ZIP code 12828, this historic community sits along the Hudson River and carries a rich legacy stretching back to the colonial era. Residents and visitors alike are drawn to Fort Edward for its blend of small-town charm, scenic waterways, and deep historical significance in American history.
Location & geography
Fort Edward is situated in eastern New York State, positioned along the Hudson River in Washington County, roughly 45 miles north of Albany and about 10 miles south of Glens Falls. Neighboring communities include Greenwich to the east, Hudson Falls directly to the north, Kingsbury to the west, and Whitehall further to the northeast. The town encompasses 45.09 square miles of land and 1.50 square miles of water, with the Hudson River forming a defining natural feature that shapes both the landscape and the local identity.
Community & economy
Fort Edward has the character of a close-knit, working-class community where neighbors know one another and local institutions play a central role in everyday life. The local economy has historically been tied to manufacturing and industry, with paper and chemical production having shaped the region's workforce for generations. Daily life in Fort Edward revolves around its schools, local diners, small businesses along Broadway, and seasonal outdoor activities along the Hudson River corridor.
Transportation
Fort Edward is conveniently served by U.S. Route 4, which runs through the heart of the community and connects it to Troy to the south and Whitehall to the north, while New York State Route 197 provides additional east-west access. Interstate 87, the Adirondack Northway, is accessible a short drive to the west, offering efficient connections to Albany and the greater Capital District. The nearest commercial airport is Albany International Airport, located approximately 50 miles to the south, providing regional and national flight options for travelers.
History
Fort Edward's history dates to the French and Indian War era, when a significant British fort was established here in the mid-1700s, making the area a strategic military hub along the corridor between the Hudson River and Lake Champlain. The town later became a key stop along the Champlain Canal, which opened in 1823 and spurred commercial growth by linking the Hudson River to Lake Champlain. In the 20th century, industrial operations — most notably those associated with General Electric along the Hudson River — became central to the local economy, and the resulting environmental legacy has been the subject of one of the most extensive Superfund cleanup efforts in United States history.
Did you know?
Fort Edward sits at the southern gateway to the Adirondack region, giving it an outsized geographical significance relative to its modest size. The town is also home to the Rogers Island Visitors Center, which preserves and interprets the site where Rogers' Rangers, an elite colonial-era military unit, were stationed during the French and Indian War.
