Essex Village
29 West Ave, Essex, CT 06426
Living in Essex, Connecticut
Essex sits on the west bank of the Connecticut River in the Lower Connecticut River Valley, made up of three villages: Essex Village, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton. The town was known as Potapoug Point until a British raid in the War of 1812 led to its renaming as Essex.
Essex at a glance
- $675,000Median single-family sale, Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
- 19.26 millsReal estate tax rate, fiscal year 2026–27
- 30-35 minDrive to New London
- MiddlesexCounty · Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region
Essex's villages and zip codes
Essex has three zip codes for its three villages: 06426 (Essex Village), 06409 (Centerbrook), and 06442 (Ivoryton).
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Essex Village | 06426 | The riverfront village center, home to the Connecticut River Museum and the Griswold Inn. |
| Centerbrook | 06409 | A village between Essex Village and Ivoryton. |
| Ivoryton | 06442 | A village about a 10-minute drive from downtown Essex, home to the Ivoryton Playhouse. |
Essex covers about 10.3 square miles and borders Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Deep River and Chester. It was incorporated in 1852.
Things to do in Essex, CT
Start with Connecticut River Museum and Essex Steam Train and riverboat, then 2 more below.
Connecticut River Museum
A museum on the Essex waterfront covering the region's maritime history, including the 1814 British raid that burned 28 vessels in the harbor, and a working model of the Revolutionary War submarine Turtle.
Essex, CT
Essex Steam Train and riverboat
A vintage steam train and connecting riverboat excursion along the Connecticut River, a long-running seasonal attraction.
Essex, CT
Ivoryton Playhouse
A regional theater in the Ivoryton village that became the country's first self-supporting summer theater in 1930.
Ivoryton, CT
Griswold Inn
A tavern and inn that has operated continuously since 1776, serving American cuisine in the village center.
Essex Village, CT
Plan a visit
More worth a visit
- Essex River Basin AdventuresKayak and canoe rentals and guided trips on the Connecticut River.
A little history
On April 8, 1814, British forces raided the harbor and burned 28 vessels valued at roughly $200,000, one of the costliest maritime losses of the War of 1812; the town, previously called Potapoug Point, was renamed Essex afterward.
Essex Savings Bank, founded in 1851, is among Connecticut's oldest banks.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Essex
The Connecticut River is the center of outdoor life in Essex, with boating, kayaking, and riverfront parks in Essex Village.
- Connecticut River waterfrontEssex Village's harbor and riverfront offer boating access and river views.
- Essex River Basin AdventuresGuided kayak and canoe trips on the river.
Where to eat in Essex: restaurants and coffee
3 places in Essex to try, including american restaurant and tavern and american restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
Griswold Inn
American restaurant and tavern
A dining room and tap room operating continuously since 1776, serving seafood and aged beef.
Essex Village, CT · griswoldinn.com
Ivoryton Tavern
American restaurant
A restaurant near the Ivoryton Playhouse and Essex Steam Train.
Ivoryton, CT
Carlson's Landing
Seafood and American restaurant
A restaurant serving seafood, modern American fare, and cocktails.
Essex, CT
Walkability and getting around Essex
Essex Village is walkable, with shops, the Griswold Inn, and the river museum within a few blocks; Centerbrook and Ivoryton are separate walkable pockets a short drive apart, so a car is useful to move between the three villages.
Centerbrook
Ivoryton
Drive times
- New London, about 20 miles30-35 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 45 miles50-60 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
No fixed-route CTtransit bus service runs through Essex; the nearest Amtrak and Shore Line East service is at the Old Saybrook train station.
Essex property taxes and home prices
Essex's 2026–27 mill rate is 19.26, which is $19.26 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Connecticut taxes a home at 70% of its appraised value, so every $100,000 of value costs about $1,348 a year in taxes at 19.26 mills.
What homes in Essex sell for
| 12 months ending | Single-family | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | $675,00094 sales | $400,00017 sales |
October to September, state records. Text us for this month's sales.
Essex's mill rate for 2026–27
19.26mills, fiscal year 2026–27
- Town of Essex19.26 mills
- Motor vehicles19.26 mills
- Next revaluationOctober 1, 2028
How Essex's mill rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Town rate |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 22.65 |
| 2023–24 | 22.59 |
| 2024–25 | 18.05 |
| 2025–26 | 18.63 |
| 2026–27 | 19.26 |
Essex's town rate went from 22.65 in 2022–23 to 19.26 in 2026–27. Next revaluation: October 1, 2028.
Look up a Essex property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Assessor's officeQuestions about an assessment: 860-767-4340 ext. 123 or 124
Buying a home in Essex
What we check on a Essex purchase: CHFA limits, the flood map and riverfront.
First-time buyer programs in Essex
CHFA sets Essex's income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.
See CHFA's limits mapCheck the flood zone first
Essex Village sits directly on the Connecticut River, putting low-lying riverfront property in FEMA flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for EssexCheck flood zone status on river-adjacent property
Essex Village and parts of Centerbrook sit close to the Connecticut River. Ask about flood insurance requirements and elevation certificates before making an offer on riverfront property.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. CHFA and USDA limits and eligibility are set by those agencies and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Essex?
Send us a Essex address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Essex: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Essex: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Trash and recyclingTrash and recycling arrangements vary by contractor in Essex; check with the Town for current schedules.
Town offices and contacts
Essex Town Hall is at 29 West Ave, Essex, CT 06426. Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. Main line: 860-767-4340. Each link opens that office's page on the town's website.
Essex, CT FAQ: taxes, prices and town services
The short answers. Call or text us for the long ones.
What is the mill rate in Essex, CT?
Essex's 2026–27 mill rate is 19.26, which is $19.26 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. The motor vehicle rate is 19.26 mills.
How much are property taxes on a $500,000 home in Essex?
Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of appraised value, so a $500,000 home would be assessed at about $350,000. At 19.26 mills that's about $6,741 a year, or about $562 a month. The actual bill depends on the town assessor's appraisal, not the price you pay.
What is the median home price in Essex, CT?
In the 12 months from October 2024 through September 2025, the median single-family sale in Essex was $675,000 across 94 sales. The median condo sale was $400,000 across 17 sales.
When is Essex's next revaluation?
Essex's next revaluation takes effect October 1, 2028, on the state's schedule. The new assessments first show up on the tax bills due in July 2029.
What county is Essex, CT in?
Essex is in Middlesex County, part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region.
What are the zip codes in Essex, CT?
Essex has three zip codes for its three villages: 06426 (Essex Village), 06409 (Centerbrook), and 06442 (Ivoryton).
Is there a train station in Essex?
The nearest Amtrak and Shore Line East station is in neighboring Old Saybrook.
What towns border Essex, CT?
Essex borders Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Deep River, and Chester.
Towns near Essex
Neighbors of Essex in Middlesex County and nearby. All Middlesex County towns.
Sources
- Mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, "Mill Rates for FY 2014–2027," data.ct.gov. Revaluation year: OPM, Revaluation Schedule 2023–2037.
- Home sales: "Real Estate Sales 2001–2024 GL," data.ct.gov. Medians use Essex sales recorded October 1 to September 30, leaving out sales the town flagged as non-market.
- Essex, Connecticut - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Essex CT official website: essexct.gov
- Griswold Inn: griswoldinn.com
- Walkability: Walk Score®, Bike Score® and Transit Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.