Essex Massachusetts

About Essex, MA

Essex, Massachusetts is a charming coastal town located in Essex County, approximately 26 miles north of Boston. With its small population, Essex maintains a small-town atmosphere while offering visitors and residents alike a rich historical and cultural experience.

The town is nestled along the Essex River, which winds through picturesque salt marshes before emptying into Essex Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The Great Marsh, a vast salt marsh ecosystem that borders Essex, provides not only stunning views but also serves as a vital habitat for diverse wildlife.

Such unique geography has shaped Essex’s history and economy. Its early days as a major shipbuilding center to its current reputation for excellent seafood and outdoor recreation. 

Essex’s history is deeply intertwined with maritime traditions. The town was once a thriving shipbuilding hub, producing nearly 4,000 wooden vessels over 350 years, according to the town’s tourism website. 

Today, visitors can explore this rich heritage at the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum (EHSSM). They can also enjoy modern amenities. 

Such unique geography has shaped Essex’s history and economy, from its early days as a major shipbuilding center to its current reputation for excellent seafood and outdoor recreation.

Politics

In the 2024 Presidential election, voters in Essex, Massachusetts followed the broader trend of Essex County and the state of Massachusetts by voting predominantly Democratic. The town strongly supported the Democratic ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz over the Republicans Donald Trump and JD Vance.

Essex Town Hall. Credit: Connor Prisby

Specifically, in Essex County, 1,540 voters cast their ballots for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, while 810 voters supported Donald Trump and JD Vance.

Taxes

Essex, Massachusetts has a single tax rate for both residential and commercial properties. For fiscal year 2024, the tax rate in Essex is $13.32 per $1,000 of assessed value. This rate is slightly lower than the previous fiscal year’s rate of $13.88 per $1,000.

The average single-family tax bill in Essex is $10,667, based on recent data. However, the actual tax bills for homes in Essex can vary significantly depending on the property’s assessed value. 

Given the median home value of $731,000 in Essex, many homeowners may have annual property tax bills ranging from approximately $8,000 to $15,000 or more. Essex’s average property tax rate is 1.39% at the time of this writing, which is higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the Massachusetts state effective rate of 1.14%. 

Commuting

Essex, Massachusetts does not have its own MBTA Commuter Rail stop. Instead, residents have access to nearby stations for commuting to Boston. The closest Commuter Rail stations are in Hamilton/Wenham and Ipswich, both on the Newburyport/Rockport Line.

The Hamilton/Wenham station is approximately 6 miles west of Essex, while the Ipswich station is about 5 miles north. Both stations offer parking facilities for commuters. 

Credit: Mass by Train

The train ride from Hamilton/Wenham to Boston’s North Station typically takes around 50-55 minutes. From Ipswich, it’s about 55-60 minutes. Commuters should note that these stations are flag stops for some trains, meaning passengers must signal the conductor to stop during off-peak hours (don’t sleep through your stop!).

For those preferring to drive, the most direct route to Boston from Essex is via Route 128 South to I-95 South. Both routes then connect to I-93 South into the city. This journey is approximately 33 miles and typically takes about 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. During peak commuting hours, travel time can increase significantly due to congestion, particularly around the interchange of I-95 and I-93.

Some commuters may prefer to take 128 South to US-1 South, while others could branch off of US-1 South to take MA-1A South into the city. 

An alternative public transportation option is the Ipswich Essex Explorer bus, which provides weekend service during the summer months. This bus connects Essex to the Ipswich MBTA station, offering an additional link to the Commuter Rail system for those without easy access to a car.

Ride Share Availability

Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are available in Essex, Massachusetts. Of course, availability may be more limited compared to larger cities. Drivers for these services are typically most active during peak commute times on weekdays and weekend evenings. 

Wait times for rides can be longer in Essex than in more densely populated areas, especially during off-peak hours. 

Education

Essex, Massachusetts is part of the Manchester Essex Regional School District (MERSD), which serves both Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea. The district’s budget for fiscal year 2024 was $29.75 million, most of which was spent on “instructional” expenditures, or the direct costs of teaching students.

The town of Essex has one public elementary school, Essex Elementary School, which serves students from pre-kindergarten to grade 5. For middle and high school education, Essex students attend Manchester Essex Regional Middle School and Manchester Essex Regional High School, both located in Manchester-by-the-Sea. 

These schools were built as part of a $49 million regional school project approved by voters in 2006, marking the first time Essex did not have to send its students to another district for high school education.

In addition to the public schools, Essex students have access to Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School. “The Tech” is a regional vocational high school located in nearby Danvers. For higher education, while there are no colleges or universities within Essex itself, students can attend nearby institutions such as North Shore Community College or Salem State University, or Gordon College.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) reported in 2023 that statewide MCAS results showed signs of recovery from pandemic-related learning loss. Both English/Language Arts and Mathematics results indicate that the achievement slide caused by the pandemic appears to have halted, and recovery is underway. 

Housing Stock

Essex, Massachusetts has a diverse housing stock that reflects its long history and coastal character. According to recent data, there are more than 1,500 housing units in Essex, with the majority being owner-occupied single-family homes.

Essex’s housing styles are diverse, ranging from historic Colonial and Federal-style homes to more modern constructions. Many houses in Essex date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, reflecting the town’s rich history. 

These include Cape Cod-style homes, Greek Revival houses, and Victorian-era structures. Some of the oldest homes in Essex are excellent examples of First Period architecture. 

More recent additions to the housing stock include ranch-style homes, contemporary designs, and some waterfront properties that take advantage of Essex’s scenic coastal location. The town has managed to maintain its historical character while accommodating modern housing needs, creating a unique blend of old and new that appeals to both long-time residents and newcomers alike.

Essex’s Unique Zoning Policies

It’s important to note that the town of Essex has unique zoning and land use policies. 

Technically, the town currently allows residential, commercial, and industrial buildings to be constructed potentially anywhere, with “minimal requirements,” according to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). Although this gives businesses a lot of leeway to open their doors where they please, it has also “resulted in conflicts when residents are surprised by new businesses opening near their homes.”

MAPC began working with the town in 2021 to review and update Essex’s zoning bylaw. This started with an audit of local business owners and residents. Now, the town is working to reorganize the bylaw and identify areas where new, more specific zoning districts are needed.

Special Mortgage Financing Available

Essex County is classified by USDA Rural Development as “Partially Eligible,” meaning some addresses within Essex may qualify for USDA loans while others (closer to denser areas) may not.

Is the town USDA Lendable?

For the most part, properties within the town of Essex are eligible for USDA single-family housing loans. It’s considered a rural town and is quite low-density compared to areas closer to Boston.

However, not all of Essex County is eligible for USDA loans. It’s important to make that distinction, since they share a name. You can see in the image below that properties become ineligible once you get closer to Gloucester, to the east.

Source: USDA Property Eligibility Tool

Is the Town Eligible for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac Financing?

Essex County is designated a Fannie Mae “High Cost Area,” meaning the HomeReady and Home Possible income eligibility ceiling extends up to 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) rather than the standard 80% AMI. This could benefit more eligible first-time buyers in Essex.

Source: Fannie Mae AMI Lookup Tool

Nightlife

While it may not have the bustling energy of larger cities, Essex does have some noteworthy places to visit in the evening. The town’s nightlife centers mostly around a handful of local restaurants and pubs. Residents and visitors can enjoy good food, drinks, and the occasional night of live music. 

Credit: Woodman’s of Essex on Facebook

Essex is famous for its seafood, particularly its fried clams. Woodman’s of Essex, where the fried clam was allegedly invented in 1916. Woodmans remains a popular spot for both tourists and locals. Other favorite eateries among residents include C.K. Pearl for upscale dining with river views, and The Mill for casual fare and local provisions. 

Essex is rural. Many nighttime activities focus on casual gatherings in public spaces or at people’s homes, as well as community-oriented events.

Cell Phone Reception

The major cellular networks available in Essex are AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, according to CoverageMap.com.

AT&T appears to have the best overall coverage in Essex, with its 4G LTE and 5G networks covering 100% of the town. T-Mobile ranks second, also covering 100% of Essex, but with less reliability. Verizon covers about 94.5% of the town.

Coverage can vary throughout the town. While the downtown area likely has better reception overall, Essex’s coastal location and surrounding marshlands may impact signal strength in some outlying areas.

Sports

While Essex itself doesn’t have many local sports clubs due to its small size, residents have access to several sports facilities and programs in the area. 

The Essex Sports Center, located in nearby Middleton, offers ice hockey and other ice sports. Additionally, Fieldhouse Essex in Middleton provides facilities for basketball, lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, baseball, and softball programs serving Essex County. 

For youth soccer, the Essex County Youth Soccer Association organizes leagues and programs for young players in the region. 

Finally, the town’s coastal location provides opportunities for water-based recreational activities like boating, fishing, kayaking, and more.

Coolest Coffee Shop

For coffee, baked goods, and grab-and-go food, check out Googan’s Galley. This bright, welcoming café on Martin Street was launched in early 2022 by Kimberly St. Onge. It built a loyal following almost immediately.

Everything on the menu is homemade, from pastries and sandwiches to wraps and dinner-ready to-go items. It’s also notable among Cape Ann cafés for specializing in gluten-free baking.

Walkability

As a small coastal town, Essex has limited walkability overall. Most of the town’s residential areas and attractions are spread out, requiring transportation by car.

Credit: 

However, the downtown area of Essex around Main Street offers some walkable destinations including restaurants, shops, and historic sites. There is even a Historical Essex Walking Tour that spans about one mile and will take you to some beautiful natural areas and historic sites.

Main Street includes long-standing restaurants, modern eateries, shops, and other attractions. 

Credit: Good Morning Gloucester

Mayflour, a bakery founded in 2013, is regionally famous for its use of local ingredients, “ethereal” aesthetic, and exquisite catering services. Locals can stop in to check out the latest cake designs or to chat over a cup of coffee and some delicious soft serve.

Main Street is also home to businesses like the Great Marsh Brewing Company, Googan’s Gallery (a sandwich shop), and other types of businesses, including antique shops. All are within walking distance of each other.