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CITY · 2020 ACS

Essex

Iowa · 722 residents · 1.635 sq mi
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The short version

Essex has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $46,991. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 162 residents. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $64,200. With a median age of 45.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 45.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 11%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
722
−18%since 2000
from 884 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
442 / sq mi
−18%since 2000
from 541 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
45.8
+16%since 2000
from 39.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
7027638258869481990201020202024Essex
2024854
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,991
−24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,382 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,240
+77%since 2000
from $18,202 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.3%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.1%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade21.1%
US avg: 10%
Information19.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction7%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$64,200
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$495
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $332 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
74.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 75.8% in 2000
26.0% rent
Afford Score
1.4
+18%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Essex on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.7%(864)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(6)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.7%(15)
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.8%(677)
Black0.3%(2)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(8)
Asian0.4%(3)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score4.6%(34)
Diversity Score
5
+171%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.3%
−6.5 ptssince 2000
from 90.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.7 min
+62%since 2000
from 10.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
90.7%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 87.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2011
from 4.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
51.5%
−11.7 ptssince 2011
from 63.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.4%
−35.1 ptssince 2009
from 66.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
Female
51.3%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 55.2% in 2009
Foreign born
1.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.8%
−89.7 ptssince 2013
from 93.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Essex

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Pop 695
Scottsmoor
Pop 830
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Pop 873
Yankeetown
Pop 637
Places similar to Essex
Head to head

Compare Essex to nearby cities

ESSEX VS
Bellevue
Income$85,462+82%
Home value$247,000+285%
Population64,863+9010%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX VS
Council Bluffs
Income$64,578+37%
Home value$171,800+168%
Population62,680+8703%
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ESSEX VS
Maryville
Income$53,352+14%
Home value$189,400+195%
Population10,092+1317%
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ESSEX VS
Papillion
Income$111,679+138%
Home value$311,000+384%
Population25,127+3429%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Essex, Iowa?

Essex, Iowa has about 722 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Essex, Iowa?

The typical household in Essex, Iowa earns about $46,991 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Essex, Iowa expensive?

In Essex, Iowa, the median home is worth about $64,200, and the typical rent is about $495 a month.

How educated are people in Essex, Iowa?

About 12.4% of adults age 25 and over in Essex, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Essex, Iowa?

About 15.1% of people in Essex, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Essex, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Essex, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 200 residents, a change of about -22 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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