West Newbury ZIP Code List — Essex County, MA

There is one unique ZIP code in West Newbury, Massachusetts and it is 01985. Area code: 978.
1
ZIP codes
13.45
sq mi land
1.28
sq mi water
978
area code
West Newbury, MA ZIP code map

About West Newbury, MA

West Newbury is a charming town located in Essex County, Massachusetts. Known for its picturesque landscapes and tight-knit community, this town features a blend of rural and suburban living. The town is characterized by its historic homes, local parks, and active community events throughout the year.

Location & geography

West Newbury is situated approximately 30 miles north of Boston and is bordered by the Merrimack River to the south. Nearby cities include Newburyport, which is about 4 miles away, and Haverhill, located approximately 6 miles to the northwest. Covering a total land area of 13.45 square miles and with an additional 1.28 square miles of water, West Newbury boasts a scenic mix of hills and waterways.

Community & economy

The community of West Newbury is known for its friendly atmosphere and strong sense of local pride. Residents enjoy a slower-paced lifestyle, with activities centered around family, nature, and local traditions. The town's economy is anchored by small businesses, agriculture, and some light manufacturing, fostering a community-oriented environment.

Transportation

West Newbury is accessible via several major routes, including Interstate 95, which connects residents to the Greater Boston area. The nearest airport is the Lawrence Municipal Airport, located about 10 miles away, providing regional flights. Public transportation options are limited, encouraging residents to rely on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

West Newbury was officially incorporated in 1819, having originally been part of Newbury. The town developed as a farming community and gradually saw the establishment of small mills and local industries, contributing to its growth. Key historical events include the town's involvement in the American Revolution and the preservation of its historic district, which showcases many antique homes.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about West Newbury is that it is home to the historic Riverbend Farm, a working farm that opens its doors to visitors for seasonal events and educational programs. Additionally, the town boasts a proud commitment to preserving its rural character and natural landscapes, making it a hidden gem in Massachusetts.

ZIP codes for West Newbury, MA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
01985 West Newbury Essex View map

Demographics & statistics

4,521
Population
50.5
Median age
$181,125
Median household income
$74,521
Per capita income
$726,300
Median home value
$2,143
Median monthly rent
94.2%
Home ownership
3.5%
Poverty rate
3.8%
Unemployment
1,712
Housing units
64.3%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
72
Under 5
74
95
5–9
98
151
10–14
155
157
15–19
162
115
20–24
118
207
25–34
213
182
35–44
187
330
45–54
339
217
55–59
222
185
60–64
190
372
65–74
381
133
75–84
136
15
85+
15
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1883818.5%
18 and over3,68381.5%
65 and over1,05223.3%
Median age50.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 83.9%
Two or more races 8.5%
Hispanic or Latino 5.1%
Asian 1.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%
GroupCount%
White3,99483.9%
Two or more races4058.5%
Hispanic or Latino2415.1%
Asian921.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native300.6%

Household income

Under $10k 0.7%
$10k–$15k 0.6%
$15k–$25k 1.2%
$25k–$35k 2.6%
$35k–$50k 7.9%
$50k–$75k 1.5%
$75k–$100k 9.2%
$100k–$150k 18.8%
$150k–$200k 11.9%
$200k+ 45.4%
Range% of households
Under $10k0.7%
$10k–$15k0.6%
$15k–$25k1.2%
$25k–$35k2.6%
$35k–$50k7.9%
$50k–$75k1.5%
$75k–$100k9.2%
$100k–$150k18.8%
$150k–$200k11.9%
$200k+45.4%
Median income$181,125

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 0.7%
$100k–$150k 1.2%
$150k–$200k 0.6%
$200k–$300k 5.6%
$300k–$500k 11.0%
$500k–$1M 69.9%
$1M+ 11.1%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$726,300
Median rent / month$2,143
Owner occupied94.2%
Renter occupied5.8%
Vacant10.1%
Single-family detached92.7%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes0.0%
Median rooms7.9
Avg household size (owned)2.83

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20197.9%
2000–20096.1%
1990–199916.2%
1980–198917.5%
1970–197911.5%
1960–19699.2%
1950–19596.2%
1940–19493.8%
1939 or earlier21.4%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom1.7%
2 bedrooms13.2%
3 bedrooms38.1%
4 bedrooms35.9%
5+ bedrooms11.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle1.9%
1 vehicle15.5%
2 vehicles51.0%
3 or more31.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas14.3%
Electricity2.8%
Propane / LP gas19.9%
Fuel oil58.4%
Wood2.6%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family1,16271.6%
Cohabiting couple18911.6%
Male householder, no spouse774.7%
Female householder, no spouse19612.1%
Households with children under 1847028.9%
Households with seniors (65+)69042.5%
Average household size2.78

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married27.9%24.7%
Married61.1%59.0%
Separated0.9%0.0%
Widowed2.3%5.8%
Divorced7.7%10.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%
Some HS, no diploma 2.1%
HS graduate 10.3%
Some college, no degree 15.3%
Associate's degree 8.0%
Bachelor's degree 34.1%
Graduate / professional 30.2%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher97.9%
Bachelor's or higher64.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool645.9%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school43840.4%
High school25323.4%
College / grad school32830.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.0%
Professional & management 20.6%
Retail trade 10.5%
Manufacturing 9.5%
Finance & real estate 7.6%
Information 5.1%
Other services 4.6%
Construction 4.3%
Transportation & utilities 4.2%
Public administration 3.9%
Arts, food & hospitality 3.8%
Wholesale trade 1.7%
Agriculture & mining 0.3%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts58.6%
Service10.4%
Sales & office22.4%
Natural resources & construction3.7%
Production & transportation4.9%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector77.6%
Government9.9%
Self-employed12.0%
Unpaid family workers0.5%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone74.8%
Carpool3.3%
Public transit0.9%
Walk0.0%
Other means2.3%
Avg commute (minutes)33.1

Poverty

All people 3.5%
Under 18 years 7.1%
18 and over 2.7%
Married-couple families 1.0%
Female-led households 4.6%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security41.9%
Retirement income33.3%
Supplemental Security2.4%
Cash public assistance1.6%
Food stamps / SNAP1.4%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure25.9%
High cholesterol30.9%
Heart disease4.9%
Stroke2.1%
Asthma10.5%
Arthritis24.7%
Kidney disease2.3%
Pulmonary disease4.4%
Cancer7.4%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking16.9%
No physical activity16.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep27.1%
Fair or poor health8.1%
Poor mental health11.9%
Poor physical health7.3%
No health insurance3.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)80.9%
Visited dentist82.5%
Cholesterol screening94.2%
Teeth loss6.5%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans3258.8%
Disability%
Any disability11.9%
Under 180.0%
18–64 years8.9%
65 and over29.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance89.3%
Public insurance29.4%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only4,37596.8%
Spanish571.3%
Other Indo-European230.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander100.2%
Other languages240.5%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)4,25094.0%
Born in same state4,20593.0%
Born in different state2,98766.1%
Foreign born451.0%
Naturalized citizen2716.0%
Not a US citizen18969.7%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian1,01822.5%
French89419.8%
German3056.7%
Arab1653.6%
AncestryCount%
English420.9%
Norwegian410.9%
Dutch100.2%
Irish90.2%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access35.9%
Internet access100.0%

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

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for West Newbury, MA?
West Newbury, MA has one ZIP code: 01985.
What is the main ZIP code for West Newbury, MA?
The primary ZIP code for West Newbury, MA is 01985. The city uses area code 978 for phone service.
What county is West Newbury, MA in?
West Newbury is located in Essex County, Massachusetts.
How many ZIP codes are in West Newbury, MA?
West Newbury, MA has 1 ZIP code.
What is the ZIP code for the West Newbury town center and downtown area?
The West Newbury town center is located in ZIP code 01985, which covers the entire town of West Newbury in Essex County.
What ZIP code should I use for mailing addresses to properties along the Merrimack River in West Newbury?
Addresses for properties along the Merrimack River in West Newbury use ZIP code 01985, as this is the sole ZIP code serving the entire municipality.
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