Upper Jay ZIP Codes — Essex County, NY

There is one unique ZIP code in Upper Jay, New York and it is 12987. Area code: 518.
1
ZIP codes
10.31
sq mi land
0.02
sq mi water
518
area code
Upper Jay, NY ZIP code map

About Upper Jay, NY

Upper Jay is a quaint hamlet located in the state of New York, nestled within the stunning landscape of Essex County. Known for its rustic charm and proximity to the natural beauty of the Adirondack Mountains, Upper Jay offers a unique small-town experience. With a single ZIP code of 12987, this peaceful community invites exploration and appreciation of its serene surroundings.

Location & geography

Upper Jay is situated approximately 25 miles south of the bustling town of Plattsburgh and around 10 miles north of the village of Jay, making it easily accessible to nearby amenities. The area covers a total land area of 10.31 square miles, complemented by a minor water area of 0.02 square miles. The terrain is characterized by picturesque hills and lush forests, providing a scenic backdrop for residents and visitors alike.

Community & economy

The character of Upper Jay is defined by its tight-knit community, where neighbors know one another and the pace of life is relaxed. The local economy is primarily driven by outdoor recreational activities, tourism, and small businesses that cater to both residents and visitors who come to enjoy the area's natural offerings. Daily life in Upper Jay revolves around enjoying the outdoors, with hiking, skiing, and fishing being popular pastimes.

Transportation

Upper Jay is conveniently located along State Route 9N, a scenic highway that connects it to the surrounding areas and facilitates easy travel. The nearest major airport is Plattsburgh International Airport, located about 25 miles to the north, providing access to regional air travel. Public transportation options are limited, so residents often rely on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Upper Jay was established during the early settlement period in the 19th century, with the area's natural resources attracting early industries such as logging and agriculture. Over the years, it has maintained its rural character while adapting to the changes in tourism and outdoor recreation as key economic drivers. Notable events in the history of Upper Jay include its role in supporting the local economy through recreational activities, especially those that showcase the beauty of the surrounding Adirondack region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Upper Jay is that it is home to the famous "Jay Mountain", which offers stunning hiking trails with breathtaking views. Additionally, this hamlet is often overlooked, making it a perfect retreat for those seeking peace away from urban life.

ZIP codes for Upper Jay, NY (1)
ZIP code City County Map
12987 Upper Jay Essex View map

Demographics & statistics

152
Population
54.3
Median age
$109,688
Median household income
$54,745
Per capita income
$191,300
Median home value
$0
Median monthly rent
86.3%
Home ownership
3.9%
Poverty rate
0.0%
Unemployment
108
Housing units
50.8%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
3
Under 5
4
9
15–19
13
1
20–24
2
10
25–34
13
14
45–54
19
13
55–59
17
4
60–64
6
4
75–84
6
6
85+
8
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 18117.2%
18 and over14192.8%
65 and over2415.8%
Median age54.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 98.7%
Two or more races 1.3%
GroupCount%
White15098.7%
Two or more races21.3%

Household income

Under $10k 8.2%
$15k–$25k 12.3%
$35k–$50k 8.2%
$50k–$75k 6.8%
$100k–$150k 47.9%
$150k–$200k 5.5%
$200k+ 11.0%
Range% of households
Under $10k8.2%
$15k–$25k12.3%
$35k–$50k8.2%
$50k–$75k6.8%
$100k–$150k47.9%
$150k–$200k5.5%
$200k+11.0%
Median income$109,688

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.9%
$100k–$150k 19.0%
$150k–$200k 30.2%
$200k–$300k 19.0%
$300k–$500k 23.8%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$191,300
Median rent / month$0
Owner occupied86.3%
Renter occupied13.7%
Vacant38.1%
Single-family detached92.4%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes4.2%
Median rooms8.2
Avg household size (owned)2.16

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20190.0%
2000–20090.0%
1990–19994.2%
1980–198911.0%
1970–19790.0%
1960–196921.2%
1950–19598.5%
1940–19490.0%
1939 or earlier55.1%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)3.4%
1 bedroom0.0%
2 bedrooms30.5%
3 bedrooms7.6%
4 bedrooms36.4%
5+ bedrooms22.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.0%
1 vehicle53.4%
2 vehicles8.2%
3 or more38.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Propane / LP gas21.9%
Fuel oil58.9%
Wood19.2%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family3345.2%
Cohabiting couple1013.7%
Male householder, no spouse00.0%
Female householder, no spouse3041.1%
Households with children under 181824.7%
Households with seniors (65+)1926.0%
Average household size2.08

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married49.1%19.3%
Married50.9%43.2%
Separated0.0%18.2%
Widowed0.0%11.4%
Divorced0.0%8.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%
Some HS, no diploma 4.2%
HS graduate 3.3%
Some college, no degree 25.0%
Associate's degree 16.7%
Bachelor's degree 32.5%
Graduate / professional 18.3%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher95.8%
Bachelor's or higher50.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool00.0%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school00.0%
High school436.4%
College / grad school763.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 65.5%
Other services 10.6%
Arts, food & hospitality 8.8%
Professional & management 6.2%
Retail trade 5.3%
Public administration 3.5%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts69.0%
Service25.7%
Sales & office0.0%
Natural resources & construction0.0%
Production & transportation5.3%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector91.2%
Government3.5%
Self-employed0.0%
Unpaid family workers5.3%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone91.2%
Carpool0.0%
Public transit0.0%
Walk3.5%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)50.1

Poverty

All people 3.9%
Under 18 years 0.0%
18 and over 4.3%
Married-couple families 0.0%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security45.2%
Retirement income26.0%
Supplemental Security0.0%
Cash public assistance0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP5.5%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure33.6%
High cholesterol36.2%
Heart disease6.7%
Stroke2.8%
Asthma9.4%
Arthritis25.6%
Kidney disease2.9%
Pulmonary disease6.2%
Cancer8.4%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking17.4%
No physical activity20.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep31.0%
Fair or poor health10.1%
Poor mental health11.9%
Poor physical health8.9%
No health insurance8.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)79.6%
Visited dentist73.1%
Cholesterol screening93.7%
Teeth loss9.3%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans2014.2%
Disability%
Any disability17.1%
Under 1836.4%
18–64 years10.3%
65 and over41.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance79.6%
Public insurance32.2%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only14595.4%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)152100.0%
Born in same state152100.0%
Born in different state12179.6%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen00.0%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French4730.9%
Italian1912.5%
AncestryCount%
English63.9%
German53.3%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access48.0%
Internet access100.0%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Upper Jay, NY have?
Upper Jay, NY has one ZIP code: 12987. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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