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CITY

Essex

Illinois · 849 residents (2025 est.) · 2.327 sq mi
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The short version

Essex is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $108,250. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 85% since 2000. 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $228,200. At a median age of 34.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 34.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,026
+85%since 2000
from 554 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
441 / sq mi
+85%since 2000
from 238 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
34.3
−7%since 2000
from 37.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:849 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4125807479141K1990201020202024Essex
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$108,250
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,238 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$49,591
+165%since 2000
from $18,686 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
70.3%
+21.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
3.8%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.426
+46%since 2010
from 0.293 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade12.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services11.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration11.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Information8.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services4.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$228,200
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $105,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,143
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $550 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
89.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 90.5% in 2000
10.5% rent
Vacancy rate
3.8%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
10.4%
−12.0 ptssince 2009
from 22.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−20.0 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.1
+1%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
46
RELATED:See current rent listings in Essex on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.4%(545)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic83.3%(855)
Black0.8%(8)
Hispanic / Latino10.3%(106)
Asian0.4%(4)
Other5.2%(53)
Diversity Score36.5%(375)
Diversity Score
37
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.2%
+16.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.4%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 87.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 0.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.4 min
+14%since 2000
from 25.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.1%
−14.4 ptssince 2009
from 91.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.2%
+14.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.4%
−7.5 ptssince 2011
from 11.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
70.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 71.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.0%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.3%
−8.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.9%
−11.4 ptssince 2009
from 56.3% in 2009
Female
55.1%
+11.4 ptssince 2009
from 43.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.6%
−53.4 ptssince 2009
from 55.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
9.2%
−7.1 ptssince 2012
from 16.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.4%
−91.0 ptssince 2013
from 92.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.1%
+5.5 ptssince 2017
from 84.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 97.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 1.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Essex to nearby cities

ESSEX VS
Bourbonnais
Income$81,708−25%
Home value$253,100+11%
Population17,658+1980%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX VS
Channahon
Income$119,494+10%
Home value$327,900+44%
Population14,530+1611%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX VS
Kankakee
Income$47,514−56%
Home value$104,900−54%
Population23,400+2656%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX VS
Bradley
Income$67,420−38%
Home value$173,400−24%
Population15,214+1692%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Essex, Illinois?

Essex, Illinois has about 1,026 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Essex, Illinois?

The typical household in Essex, Illinois earns about $108,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Essex, Illinois expensive?

In Essex, Illinois, the median home is worth about $228,200, and the typical rent is about $1,143 a month.

How educated are people in Essex, Illinois?

About 23.2% of adults age 25 and over in Essex, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Essex, Illinois?

About 3.8% of people in Essex, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Essex, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Essex, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 558 residents, a change of about 119 percent over that period.

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

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