Essex center
30 Martin Street, Essex, MA 01929
Living in Essex, Massachusetts
Essex is a town on Massachusetts' Cape Ann, set among the salt marshes of the Essex River and the Great Marsh, incorporated in 1819 from what had been Chebacco Parish in Ipswich. It is known for wooden shipbuilding, its concentration of antique shops, and fried clams, which a local clam-shack owner is credited with inventing in 1916.
Essex at a glance
- $13.04Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $11,957Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Gloucester
- EssexCounty
Essex's zip code
The whole town uses ZIP code 01929.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Essex center | 01929 | The Main Street area along the Essex River, with Town Hall, the Essex Shipbuilding Museum and the town's antique shops and restaurants. |
Things to do in Essex, MA
Start with Essex Shipbuilding Museum and Woodman's of Essex, then 2 more below.
Essex Shipbuilding Museum
A museum on the Essex River documenting more than 350 years of wooden shipbuilding, including a working historic shipyard where boats are still built using traditional methods.
66 Main Street, Essex, MA
Woodman's of Essex
A clam shack whose founder, Chubby Woodman, is credited with inventing the fried clam in 1916.
Essex, MA
Essex antique shops
A stretch of Main Street with one of the highest concentrations of antique shops of any town in the country.
Main Street, Essex, MA
Cape Ann Museum's Crane Wildlife Refuge / Chebacco Lake
Chebacco Lake and its surrounding wetlands make up much of southwestern Essex, offering shoreline and boating access.
Essex, MA
More worth a visit
- Essex River boat cruisesNarrated cruises on the Essex River departing from town, running seasonally.
A little history
Essex was part of Ipswich, known as Chebacco Parish, until it was incorporated as its own town in 1819.
Essex shipyards launched thousands of wooden vessels over more than three centuries, an industry that faded around World War II and is preserved today at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum.
The fried clam is reported to have been invented in Essex by clam-shack owner Chubby Woodman in the summer of 1916.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Essex
Essex sits within the Great Marsh, one of the largest salt marsh systems in New England, with the Essex River, Chebacco Lake and nearby Crane Wildlife Refuge offering water access and trails.
- Essex RiverTidal river and salt marsh through the center of town, popular for kayaking and boat tours.
- Chebacco LakeA lake in southwestern Essex with surrounding wetlands.
Where to eat in Essex: restaurants and coffee
1 places in Essex to try, including seafood restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
Woodman's of Essex
Seafood restaurant
A clam shack credited with inventing the fried clam in 1916, serving fried seafood and lobster.
Essex, MA
Walkability and getting around Essex
Essex's Main Street through the village center has sidewalks connecting the antique shops, restaurants and the shipbuilding museum, but the surrounding marshland and residential roads require a car.
Drive times
- Gloucester, about 8 miles15-20 min
- Logan International Airport, about 30 miles40-50 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The seasonal Ipswich Essex Explorer bus connects Essex to the MBTA Commuter Rail Newburyport/Rockport Line at Ipswich station on summer weekends. There is no year-round fixed-route bus service.
Essex property taxes
Essex's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.04 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,304 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $11,957, on an average assessed value of $916,972.
Essex's FY2026 tax rates
$13.04per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.04 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$916,972
- Average single-family tax bill$11,957
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $15.70 |
| FY2023 | $13.88 |
| FY2024 | $13.32 |
| FY2025 | $12.99 |
| FY2026 | $13.04 |
Look up a Essex property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Essex
What we check on a Essex purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic and wells, smoke & co certificate, marsh flood zones.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Essex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Essex sits largely within the Great Marsh along the Essex River, and low-lying land near the river and Chebacco Lake falls within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for EssexSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Essex Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-768-6363 ext. 5050 to schedule.
Much of Essex relies on private septic and wells
Most of the town has no public sewer, so a Title 5 septic inspection is typically required before a home sale closes; some properties also rely on private wells.
Massachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing
Sellers in Massachusetts need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. Contact the Essex Fire Department to schedule the inspection.
Marshland puts parts of Essex in FEMA flood zones
Essex sits within the Great Marsh along the Essex River; buyers near the river or Chebacco Lake should check the FEMA flood map and ask about flood insurance.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Essex?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Essex address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Essex: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Essex: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- WaterPublic water through the Essex Water Department in parts of town; some areas rely on private wells
- Sewer or septicMost of the town relies on private septic systems
- Trash and recyclingEssex offers curbside collection through a private hauler, and also runs a Transfer Station where residents can drop off trash in town-approved bags: $4 for a 33-gallon bag and $2 for a 15-gallon bag, sold in rolls of five.
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
Essex Transfer Station
30 Landing Road, Essex, MA 01929
$4 per 33-gallon bag / $2 per 15-gallon bag (rolls of 5 for $20 / $10)
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Essex Town Hall is at 30 Martin Street, Essex, MA 01929. Main line: 978-768-7111.
- Town HallMain line and website978-768-7111
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, elections and dog licenses.978-768-7111
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.978-768-7831
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-768-4519
- Building InspectorBuilding permits, inspections and zoning enforcement.978-768-2514
- Planning BoardZoning, subdivisions and land-use applications.978-768-7663
- Zoning Board of AppealsVariances and special permits.978-768-2509
- Public Works/HighwayRoads and town infrastructure.978-768-6262
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections, well regulations and health permits.978-768-7614
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention, suppression and inspections.978-768-6363 ext. 5050
- T.O.H.P. Burnham LibraryThe town's public library.978-768-7410
- Manchester Essex Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Essex, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Essex, MA?
Essex's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.04 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Essex?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,216 a year at $13.04 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Essex have a split tax rate?
No. Essex uses a single rate of $13.04 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Essex?
The average single-family tax bill in Essex was $11,957 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $916,972.
What ZIP code does Essex use?
The whole town uses ZIP code 01929.
Is trash pickup curbside or transfer station in Essex?
Both are available: curbside pickup through a private hauler, and a town Transfer Station at 30 Landing Road where residents use Essex-approved trash bags.
Who supplies electricity in Essex?
National Grid supplies electricity in Essex.
How far is Essex from Gloucester?
Essex is about 8 miles from Gloucester, roughly a 15-to-20-minute drive.
Is there public transit in Essex?
The seasonal Ipswich Essex Explorer bus connects Essex to the MBTA Commuter Rail at Ipswich station on summer weekends; there is no year-round fixed-route bus service.
Towns near Essex
Neighbors of Essex, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Essex, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Essex Shipbuilding Museum - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Essex, MA official website: essexma.org
- Transfer Station - Essex, MA: essexma.org
- Town of Essex Directory: essexma.org
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Checked September 25, 2026.