Salem
A walkable historic city with commuter rail, waterfront neighborhoods and a lively downtown that works year-round.
North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Bringing people home to Essex County.
Essex County covers the North Shore and the Merrimack Valley, from Salem, Marblehead and Cape Ann to Newburyport at the New Hampshire line and the inland towns around Andover and Lawrence. Search homes for sale across the county and connect with a Bean Group agent.
Communities
Find Your Essex County
Start with the places that shape the North Shore and Merrimack Valley—from Salem and Cape Ann to Newburyport, Andover and the communities between them.
Places to begin
Beverly
A waterfront city of distinct village centers, beaches, commuter rail and a downtown with its own year-round rhythm.
Gloucester
Cape Ann living shaped by working harbors, beaches, a lively downtown and neighborhoods tucked around separate coves.
Newburyport
A compact waterfront city where brick downtown streets, the harbor and Plum Island shape everyday life.
Andover
An established Merrimack Valley town with a traditional center, varied neighborhoods and practical regional connections.
Marblehead
Harbor life, historic streets and shoreline neighborhoods give Marblehead an unmistakable sense of place.
Ipswich
Salt marshes, Crane Beach and a historic center come together in one of the North Shore’s most distinctive towns.
Rockport
Granite shoreline, harbor village life and a quieter Cape Ann pace create a distinctly coastal community.
Salisbury
Wide beaches and dunes meet quieter inland streets near Newburyport and the New Hampshire line.
Explore every Essex County community
34 official towns and cities in Essex County.
Explore by map
From Cape Ann to the Merrimack Valley
Essex County follows the coast from Nahant and Salem through Cape Ann to Newburyport, then reaches inland through established towns and Merrimack Valley cities. Use the map to compare the places that fit your version of northeastern Massachusetts.
Town and city boundaries are shown for orientation; neighborhood character often changes well before the town line.
Available now
Homes for sale in Essex County
Explore homes across the North Shore, Cape Ann and the Essex County communities of the Merrimack Valley.
See current Essex County homes
The local preview is temporarily unavailable. The complete home search is still ready to use.
Search Essex County homesBuying and selling here
What to know about the Essex County market
Coastal, downtown and inland suburban housing all read differently here. Harbor towns, historic districts and newer inland neighborhoods each carry their own expectations.
Antique and historic homes are common on the North Shore, and along the water, flood zones, sea walls and private beach association rights come up regularly.
If you are selling, presentation for a historic in-town home differs from a suburban colonial. A Bean Group agent can review comparable sales for your specific town.
Get in touch
Thinking about buying or selling in Essex County?
Send a note and a Bean Group agent will follow up about buying or selling in Essex County.