Plum Island Massachusetts Map

About Plum Island, Massachusetts

Plum Island is a locality in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It has a population of approximately 3,000. The population density is 480.0 people per km². Plum Island is located at 42.8126°N, 70.8134°W. It observes the Eastern Time (America/New_York) timezone. ZIP code: 1951.

Plum Island stretches as a slender, shifting barrier of dune grass and maritime forest between the relentless pulse of the Atlantic Ocean and the quieter, brackish waters of the Merrimack River. It lies 3.2 miles east of Newburyport, MA (from Newburyport, MA: bearing 90°T), and is situated 5.9 miles north-northeast of North Shore. This fragile ribbon of sand acts as a natural breakwater, where the constant migration of sediment keeps the landscape in a state of fluid grace, forever rearranging its own borders under the influence of the tides. To the west, the expansive reach of Joppa Flats offers a sanctuary for migratory birds, their calls echoing over the mudflats as the light fades into a bruised, metallic purple. Visitors often find the air here thick with the scent of brine and drying salt hay, a raw, invigorating atmosphere that feels entirely detached from the mainland’s steady hum. Plum Island State Reservation anchors the southern reach of this landscape, preserving the wild, unkempt character that has defined the region since early settlers first recognized the value of its protected harbors and abundant fishing grounds. Historically, the local economy leaned heavily upon the sea, with small-scale maritime ventures and subsistence farming shaping the lives of those who braved the island's isolation. Today, the rhythm of Plum Island is marked by the seasonal migration of surf casters and the slow, deliberate pace of life in a place defined by its exposure to the elements. While the distant silhouette of Little Old Town Hill provides a steady landmark against the horizon, the true identity of the area remains tied to the salt-crusted docks and the resilience of a community that understands the necessity of living alongside a restless, ever-changing coastline.

About This Plum Island Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Plum Island, Massachusetts — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 42.812592, -70.813384. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Plum Island and Essex County.

Detailed location data for Plum Island includes the ZIP code (01950), telephone area code (339, 351, 413, 508, 617, 774, 781, 857, 978), county seat of Essex County (Salem), and school district assignment. These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Plum Island is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.