Jay ZIP Codes — Essex County, NY

There is one unique ZIP code in Jay, New York and it is 12941. Area code: 518.

ZIP codes

35.12

sq mi land

0.17

sq mi water

518

area code

Jay, NY ZIP code map

About Jay, NY

Jay, New York, is a charming town nestled in the picturesque landscape of Essex County. Known for its beautiful natural scenery, including the nearby Adirondack Mountains, Jay boasts a vibrant community spirit. With a single ZIP code, 12941, this town serves as a quiet retreat for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Jay is located in the northeastern part of New York, positioned near several other charming towns. Nearby cities include Wilmington, approximately 9 miles to the south, Au Sable Forks, about 7 miles to the west, and Lake Placid, which is around 18 miles north. The town covers a land area of 35.12 square miles, with a small water area of 0.17 square miles, contributing to its beautiful natural terrain.

Community & economy

The community of Jay exhibits a strong sense of local pride, characterized by friendly residents and a welcoming atmosphere. The economy is largely supported by tourism, outdoor recreation, and small local businesses that cater to visitors seeking adventure in the region. Daily life in Jay revolves around community events and outdoor activities, with residents enjoying the vast natural resources in and around the town.

Transportation

Transportation in Jay is facilitated primarily via local roads and New York State Route 86, which connects the town to other areas of Essex County. The nearest major airport is Adirondack Regional Airport, located approximately 25 miles away in Saranac Lake, providing access to regional air travel.

History

Jay was established in the early 19th century, with its founding shaped by the influx of settlers attracted to its natural resources and scenic beauty. Historically, the town flourished with industries such as timber and agriculture, contributing significantly to the local economy during its early years. Notable events include the development of local ski resorts, which played a key role in establishing Jay as a recreational destination.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Jay is that it is home to the famous Jay Mountain Wilderness Area, a popular spot for hikers and nature enthusiasts. This wilderness area provides stunning views and is a testament to the rich natural beauty found in the region.

ZIP codes for Jay, NY (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
12941	Jay	Essex	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,692

Population

48.7

Median age

$78,125

Median household income

$40,386

Per capita income

$196,300

Median home value

$1,254

Median monthly rent

91.1%

Home ownership

8.5%

Poverty rate

2.2%

Unemployment

1,056

Housing units

38.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

134

35–44

218

45–54

147

108

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	269	15.9%
18 and over	1,423	84.1%
65 and over	346	20.4%
Median age	48.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91%

Hispanic or Latino 3.1%

Other race 2.5%

Two or more races 1.6%

Black or African American 1.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	1,589	91%
Hispanic or Latino	55	3.1%
Other race	44	2.5%
Two or more races	28	1.6%
Black or African American	26	1.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	3	0.2%
Asian	2	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.4%

$10k–$15k 1.0%

$15k–$25k 0.9%

$25k–$35k 7.8%

$35k–$50k 9.2%

$50k–$75k 22.9%

$75k–$100k 16.8%

$100k–$150k 21.4%

$150k–$200k 9.7%

$200k+ 4.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.4%
$10k–$15k	1.0%
$15k–$25k	0.9%
$25k–$35k	7.8%
$35k–$50k	9.2%
$50k–$75k	22.9%
$75k–$100k	16.8%
$100k–$150k	21.4%
$150k–$200k	9.7%
$200k+	4.0%
Median income	$78,125

Housing

Home values

$50k–$100k 6.2%

$100k–$150k 15.4%

$150k–$200k 29.0%

$200k–$300k 30.0%

$300k–$500k 11.1%

$500k–$1M 5.9%

$1M+ 2.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$196,300
Median rent / month	$1,254
Owner occupied	91.1%
Renter occupied	8.9%
Vacant	37.1%
Single-family detached	96.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	1.6%
Median rooms	5.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.37

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.2%
2010–2019	3.7%
2000–2009	14.3%
1990–1999	7.7%
1980–1989	12.7%
1970–1979	29.8%
1960–1969	14.3%
1950–1959	3.6%
1940–1949	3.8%
1939 or earlier	9.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.1%
1 bedroom	9.0%
2 bedrooms	38.2%
3 bedrooms	33.4%
4 bedrooms	13.9%
5+ bedrooms	3.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.9%
1 vehicle	37.6%
2 vehicles	48.9%
3 or more	12.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.7%
Electricity	19.3%
Propane / LP gas	15.6%
Fuel oil	46.6%
Wood	17.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	363	51.6%
Cohabiting couple	121	17.2%
Male householder, no spouse	122	17.3%
Female householder, no spouse	98	13.9%
Households with children under 18	149	21.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	239	33.9%
Average household size	2.36

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	28.1%	20.7%
Married	46.0%	57.7%
Separated	0.0%	3.2%
Widowed	8.1%	9.0%
Divorced	17.9%	9.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.6%

Some HS, no diploma 1.4%

HS graduate 36.4%

Some college, no degree 13.0%

Associate's degree 8.7%

Bachelor's degree 22.2%

Graduate / professional 16.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	97.0%
Bachelor's or higher	38.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	4	1.6%
Elementary school	153	62.2%
High school	72	29.3%
College / grad school	17	6.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 19.9%

Construction 17.9%

Retail trade 13.1%

Professional & management 10.4%

Other services 9.9%

Manufacturing 8.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.9%

Public administration 7.9%

Finance & real estate 3.3%

Agriculture & mining 1.2%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	48.6%
Service	12.9%
Sales & office	9.6%
Natural resources & construction	14.4%
Production & transportation	14.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	57.1%
Government	20.2%
Self-employed	22.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	65.1%
Carpool	20.5%
Public transit	3.1%
Walk	0.4%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	35.9

Poverty

All people 8.5%

Under 18 years 5.8%

18 and over 8.9%

Married-couple families 1.4%

Female-led households 43.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	31.8%
Retirement income	37.2%
Supplemental Security	0.0%
Cash public assistance	1.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.3%
High cholesterol	33.7%
Heart disease	6.1%
Stroke	2.6%
Asthma	9.4%
Arthritis	23.8%
Kidney disease	2.6%
Pulmonary disease	5.8%
Cancer	7.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.3%
No physical activity	19.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.3%
Fair or poor health	9.6%
Poor mental health	12.5%
Poor physical health	8.5%
No health insurance	8.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.6%
Visited dentist	73.2%
Cholesterol screening	93.1%
Teeth loss	9.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	111	7.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.3%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	21.3%
65 and over	33.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	69.4%
Public insurance	47.7%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,644	97.2%
Spanish	37	2.3%
Other Indo-European	31	1.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander	6	0.4%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,612	95.3%
Born in same state	1,596	94.3%
Born in different state	1,111	65.7%
Foreign born	16	0.9%
Naturalized citizen	80	4.7%
Not a US citizen	58	72.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	369	21.8%
French	286	16.9%
Arab	141	8.3%
English	43	2.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	40	2.4%
Polish	19	1.1%
Norwegian	9	0.5%
Irish	8	0.5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.6%
Internet access	93.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Jay, NY have?

Jay, NY has one ZIP code: 12941. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.