Essex, CT · standard
ZIP Code 06426
Middlesex County, Connecticut - Census ACS demographics, housing tenure, and business patterns, benchmarked against every US ZIP.
- 3,245
- 219/sq mi High-density area
- $103,705
- Median income Above-median income area
- $729,200
- Median home value Above-median home value
- 63.1%
- Bachelor's or higher Above-average bachelor's attainment
National ZIP placement
Essex pairs an upper-quartile household income with top-decile home values, in a low-density, homeowner-dominated area.
- Top 17%
- household income, US ZIPs
- Top 6%
- home value, US ZIPs
- 219
- people per sq mi
- 82%
- owner-occupied homes
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023). Percentiles rank ZIP 06426 against every reporting US ZIP.
FHFA HPI release change
What changed in the latest House Price Index year
- FHFA House Price Index values in ZIP 06426 (Essex, CT) rose +16.8% from 2023 to 2024. The all-transactions index moved from 211.2 in 2023 to 246.8 in 2024 (2000 = 100).
ZIP code 06426 covers 14.8 square miles in Essex, Middlesex County, Connecticut (a standard USPS delivery area), with a modest 3,245 residents on file, a density of 219 people per square mile, in the New York time zone.
ZIP 06426 lands in the middle-income range, with a median household income of $103,705 (8% below the average Connecticut ZIP), while per-capita income is $80,442. Both reported hardship measures are comparatively low in absolute terms: poverty is 6.0% and unemployment is 2.7%. Housing is both higher-cost and owner-heavy: median home value is $729,200 (68% above the average Connecticut ZIP), while 82.3% of occupied homes are owner-occupied and median rent is $1,860.
This is a highly-educated ZIP: 63.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, the median age is 59.5, and the average commute is -. The page also surfaces 10 ZIP codes within roughly 10 miles and 6 more in Middlesex County, so 06426 can be compared with both its immediate and county-level context.
Every figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (including median rent) and the FHFA House Price Index, no estimates, no proprietary scoring. Verify with Census →
Top industries in ZIP 06426
Top 5 sectors by establishment count in Essex, CT
Which industries have the most business establishments in ZIP 06426.
- Health care and social assistance
Health care and social assistance
25 establishments
- Retail trade
Retail trade
21 establishments
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
Professional, scientific, and technical services
21 establishments
- Finance and insurance
Finance and insurance
19 establishments
- Accommodation and food services
Accommodation and food services
16 establishments
What this shows Establishment counts come from the Census ZIP Code Business Patterns program, which counts physical business locations rather than employees or revenue.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates + ZIP Code Business Patterns + FHFA HPI ACS demographics and median rent, ZBP business establishments, FHFA HPI for ZIP 06426, Essex, CT · 2023 Census ACS 5-Year Estimates use a rolling 60-month sample for stable small-geography estimates; ZBP updated annually; FHFA HPI updated quarterly/annually.
Quick Facts
3,245
Population
14.8
Area (sq mi)
219
People / sq mi
New York
Time Zone
standard
ZIP Type
Who lives in ZIP 06426?
59.5
Median Age
48.7%
Male
51.3%
Female
7.6%
Foreign-Born
Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity category from the Census Bureau and may overlap with other categories above.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
How much do residents earn?
$103,705
Median Household Income
-8% vs state ZIP avg
$80,442
Per Capita Income
6.0%
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Unemployment Rate
How ZIP 06426 ranks among Connecticut ZIPs
Essex, CT household income vs. every Connecticut ZIP code
Median household income among 270 reporting Connecticut ZIPs (this ZIP's population is too small for a reliable national-corpus placement)
$103,705 41st percentile higher than 41% of 270 Connecticut ZIPs
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more Connecticut ZIPs. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2019–2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
What is the education profile here?
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
What does housing look like?
Housing stock: occupied vs vacant
1,682housing units
1,682
Total Housing Units
1,517
Occupied Units
165
Vacant Units
2.04
Avg Household Size
Occupancy Type
$729,200
Median Home Value
+68% vs state ZIP avg
$1,860
Median Rent
1967
Median Year Built
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
How have home values changed over time?
FHFA House Price Index, annual appreciation data based on repeat sales and appraisals
+16.8%
YoY Change (2024)
247
HPI Index (2000 = 100)
+147%
Total Change Since 2000
Home values in ZIP 06426 have increased 16.8% over the past year (2024). Since 2000, this ZIP has seen +147% cumulative appreciation.
| Year | Annual Change | HPI Index |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +0.2% | 159 |
| 2021 | +6.9% | 170 |
| 2022 | +16.5% | 198 |
| 2023 | +6.9% | 211 |
| 2024 | +16.8% | 247 |
Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index, All-Transactions, Five-Digit ZIP Codes (Developmental Index). Index base = 100 in year 2000. Data through 2024. ZIP codes with few transactions may show missing values.
What businesses operate in this ZIP?
Census Bureau data shows 195 business establishments in ZIP 06426, employing approximately 2,087 people with a combined annual payroll of $151,531,000.
195
Businesses
2,087
Employees
$151.5M
Annual Payroll
14
Industry Sectors
| Industry | Establishments | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 25 | 12.8% |
| Retail trade | 21 | 10.8% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 21 | 10.8% |
| Finance and insurance | 19 | 9.7% |
| Accommodation and food services | 16 | 8.2% |
| Construction | 14 | 7.2% |
| Wholesale trade | 14 | 7.2% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 14 | 7.2% |
| Manufacturing | 11 | 5.6% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 11 | 5.6% |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 9 | 4.6% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 8 | 4.1% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 5 | 2.6% |
| Information | 5 | 2.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP), 2023. Employment figures may include noise for disclosure avoidance.
Nearby ZIP Codes
Want a side-by-side? Compare 06426 vs 06409 →
ZIP 06426 vs its nearest neighbors, by population
Resident population of this ZIP and the closest reporting ZIP codes within ~10 miles.
- 06413
Clinton (06413)
13,235 residents
- 06475
Old Saybrook (06475)
10,242 residents
- 06371
Old Lyme (06371)
9,952 residents
- 06498
Westbrook (06498)
6,963 residents
- 06423 5,097
East Haddam (06423)
5,097 residents
- 06417 4,629
Deep River (06417)
4,629 residents
- 06412 3,994
Chester (06412)
3,994 residents
- 06426 3,245
Essex (06426)
3,245 residents
- 06442 2,745
Ivoryton (06442)
2,745 residents
What this shows Among its immediate neighbors, ZIP 06426 ranks #8 by population - useful context the national average alone can't give.
ZIP 06426 vs its nearest neighbors, by median income
Median household income of this ZIP and the closest reporting ZIP codes within ~10 miles.
- 06376
South Lyme (06376)
$156,000 median income
- 06371
Old Lyme (06371)
$132,045 median income
- 06413
Clinton (06413)
$124,824 median income
- 06475
Old Saybrook (06475)
$114,333 median income
- 06412
Chester (06412)
$109,191 median income
- 06409
Centerbrook (06409)
$107,909 median income
- 06423
East Haddam (06423)
$107,549 median income
- 06442
Ivoryton (06442)
$104,358 median income
- 06426
Essex (06426)
$103,705 median income
What this shows By household income, ZIP 06426 ranks #9 of 9 neighboring ZIPs, local affluence varies block to block, not just metro to metro.
| ZIP Code | City | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06409 | Centerbrook, CT | 693 | 1.1 mi |
| 06442 | Ivoryton, CT | 2,745 | 2.5 mi |
| 06475 | Old Saybrook, CT | 10,242 | 3.6 mi |
| 06417 | Deep River, CT | 4,629 | 3.5 mi |
| 06371 | Old Lyme, CT | 9,952 | 3.8 mi |
| 06498 | Westbrook, CT | 6,963 | 4.7 mi |
| 06423 | East Haddam, CT | 5,097 | 7.9 mi |
| 06412 | Chester, CT | 3,994 | 5.7 mi |
| 06413 | Clinton, CT | 13,235 | 7.8 mi |
| 06376 | South Lyme, CT | 57 | 8.5 mi |
Nationwide ZIPs with similar ACS profiles
Two Census-derived peer sets for ZIP 06426, both outside CT so the neighborhoods are not geographic containment (Nearby and same-county blocks stay local).
Similar population
Nearest cross-state ZIPs by resident population (3,245 here; floor ≥1,000).
Similar median household income
Nearest cross-state ZIPs by ACS median household income.
More ZIP Codes in Middlesex County
Related Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is ZIP code 06426 in?
ZIP code 06426 (Essex) is located in Middlesex County, Connecticut. Middlesex County contains multiple ZIP codes, see the full list at /counties/middlesex-ct.
What is the population of ZIP code 06426?
ZIP code 06426 in Essex, CT has a population of 3,245 according to the Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.
What is the median household income in ZIP 06426?
The median household income in ZIP 06426 is $103,705, which is 36% above the national average of $76,288.
What is the average home value in ZIP 06426?
The median home value in ZIP 06426 is $729,200, which is 162% above the national average of $278,155.
What is the demographic makeup of ZIP 06426?
The largest racial group in ZIP 06426 is White at 90.5%. Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.9% of the population.
How many businesses are in ZIP code 06426?
ZIP code 06426 has 195 business establishments employing approximately 2,087 people, according to Census Bureau ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP) 2023 data.
What are the main industries in ZIP code 06426?
The top industries by establishment count in ZIP 06426 are: Health care and social assistance (25), Retail trade (21), Professional, scientific, and technical services (21). There are 14 industry sectors represented in total.
How have home values changed in ZIP code 06426?
According to the FHFA House Price Index, home values in ZIP 06426 increased by 16.8% in 2024. Since 2000, home values in this ZIP have appreciated by approximately 147%. This is a developmental index based on repeat sales and appraisal data from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
What is the education level in ZIP code 06426?
In ZIP code 06426, 75.2% of residents aged 25+ have a high school diploma or higher, and 63.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. These figures come from the Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023).
What percentage of residents own vs. rent in ZIP 06426?
In ZIP code 06426, approximately 82.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied and 17.7% are renter-occupied, based on Census ACS 2023 data.
What is the poverty rate in ZIP code 06426?
The poverty rate in ZIP code 06426 is 6.0% according to Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. This measures the percentage of the population living below the federal poverty threshold.
Related
Take this with you
What to do with ZIP 06426's numbers, next.
- See how ZIP 06426 compares to a neighboring ZIP code on the same Census fields Compare this ZIP
- Check where Essex, CT ranks among every U.S. ZIP code on income, education, or homeownership View national rankings
- Save this ZIP to your shortlist to track alongside others you're considering View your shortlist
ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are Census Bureau approximations of USPS ZIP codes; figures describe the ZCTA area, not any single address within it.