Essex, Massachusetts

Essex, Massachusetts
Essex's town hall and public library
Location in Essex County and the state of Massachusetts.
Coordinates: 42°37′55″N 70°47′00″W / 42.63194°N 70.78333°W / 42.63194; -70.78333
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CountyEssex
Settled1634
Incorporated1819
Government
  TypeOpen town meeting
Area
  Total
15.9 sq mi (41.3 km2)
  Land14.0 sq mi (36.2 km2)
  Water2.0 sq mi (5.1 km2)
Elevation
26 ft (8 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
3,675
  Density230/sq mi (89/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
01929
Area code351 / 978
FIPS code25-21850
GNIS feature ID0618296
Websitewww.essexma.org

Essex is a coastal town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, 26 miles (42 km) north of Boston and 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Newburyport. It is known for its former role as a center of shipbuilding. The population was 3,675 at the 2020 census.

The central village areas of Essex and South Essex make up the census-designated place of Essex.