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CITY · 2020 ACS

Essex

Illinois · 841 residents · 2.327 sq mi
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The short version

Essex is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $81,458. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 52% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $188,600. Poverty is rare here, at 4.7% of residents.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
841
+52%since 2000
from 554 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
361 / sq mi
+52%since 2000
from 238 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.2
+11%since 2000
from 37.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4125807479141K1990201020202024Essex
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$81,458
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,238 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,914
+92%since 2000
from $18,686 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
54.9%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade19.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Information9.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance9%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services8.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade8.2%
US avg: 10%
Public administration7.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical6.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services2.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$188,600
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $105,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$989
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $550 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
88.9%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 90.5% in 2000
11.1% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+11%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.6%(770)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(32)
Asian0.2%(2)
Other6.1%(51)
Diversity Score23.3%(196)
Diversity Score
23
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.0%
+12.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.3%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 87.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.7%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 0.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
34.2 min
+33%since 2000
from 25.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.1%
−13.5 ptssince 2009
from 91.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
0.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.0%
−8.0 ptssince 2011
from 11.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.3%
−7.6 ptssince 2011
from 71.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.5%
−15.8 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 56.3% in 2009
Female
51.8%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 43.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.1%
−91.3 ptssince 2013
from 92.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Essex

Southport
Pop 873
Chokoloskee
Pop 808
Shalimar
Pop 758
Chumuckla
Pop 681
Places similar to Essex
Head to head

Compare Essex to nearby cities

ESSEX VS
Bourbonnais
Income$81,708same
Home value$253,100+34%
Population17,658+1980%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX VS
Channahon
Income$119,494+47%
Home value$327,900+74%
Population14,530+1611%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX VS
Kankakee
Income$47,514−42%
Home value$104,900−44%
Population23,400+2656%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX VS
Bradley
Income$67,420−17%
Home value$173,400−8%
Population15,214+1692%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Essex, Illinois?

Essex, Illinois has about 841 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Essex, Illinois?

The typical household in Essex, Illinois earns about $81,458 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 $188,600, and the typical rent is about $989 a month.

How educated are people in Essex, Illinois?

About 19.0% 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 4.7% 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 373 residents, a change of about 80 percent over that period.

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

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