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CITY

Essex

Massachusetts · 1,688 residents · 2.059 sq mi
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The short version

Essex is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $161,250. Population has grown 18% since 2000. 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $797,100. It ranks in the top 1% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 55% more than the Massachusetts median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.1
US median: 38.9
More educated
64% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 68%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,688
+18%since 2000
from 1,426 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
820 / sq mi
+18%since 2000
from 693 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.1
+4%since 2000
from 40.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024Essex
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$161,250
+70%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,039 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$64,269
+106%since 2000
from $31,255 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
68.7%
+18.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
7.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.409
+7%since 2010
from 0.383 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade9%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade7.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services5.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Information5.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$797,100
+68%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $260,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,866
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $686 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.7%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 66.8% in 2000
27.3% rent
Vacancy rate
0.0%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.2%
−17.0 ptssince 2009
from 42.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
60.8%
+17.6 ptssince 2009
from 43.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.9
−1%since 2000
from 5.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
83
RELATED:See current rent listings in Essex on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98%(1,398)
Black0.2%(3)
Hispanic / Latino1%(14)
Asian0.3%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.7%(52)
2024
White, non-Hispanic96.8%(1,634)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(16)
Asian1.8%(31)
Other0.4%(7)
Diversity Score7.8%(132)
Diversity Score
8
+114%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
63.8%
+30.8 ptssince 2000
from 33.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.9%
+10.0 ptssince 2000
from 88.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
26.0%
+12.1 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.3 min
+44%since 2000
from 16.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.2%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 82.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.7%
−12.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
13.6%
+8.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.7%
+8.7 ptssince 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
1.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 2.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
82.7%
+4.3 ptssince 2011
from 78.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
25.3%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
57.6%
−15.1 ptssince 2009
from 72.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.0%
−5.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
Female
52.0%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
Foreign born
3.0%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.8%
−44.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
5.9%
+1.3 ptssince 2012
from 4.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.0%
−91.2 ptssince 2013
from 95.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
97.1%
+6.6 ptssince 2017
from 90.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 98.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Essex

Belleair Beach
Pop 1,581
North Key Largo
Pop 1,808
Manasota Key
Pop 1,711
Lake Mary Jane
Pop 1,792
Places similar to Essex
Head to head

Compare Essex to nearby cities

ESSEX VS
Gloucester
Income$83,883−48%
Home value$600,600−25%
Population30,627+1714%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX VS
Beverly
Income$106,044−34%
Home value$650,300−18%
Population43,363+2469%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX VS
Danvers
Income$125,395−22%
Home value$644,200−19%
Population28,098+1565%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX VS
Marblehead
Income$182,132+13%
Home value$943,900+18%
Population20,413+1109%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Essex, Massachusetts?

Essex, Massachusetts has about 1,688 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Essex, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Essex, Massachusetts earns about $161,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Essex, Massachusetts expensive?

In Essex, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $797,100, and the typical rent is about $1,866 a month.

How educated are people in Essex, Massachusetts?

About 63.8% of adults age 25 and over in Essex, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Essex, Massachusetts?

About 7.5% of people in Essex, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Essex, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Essex, Massachusetts has grown since 1990. The population has added about 114 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Essex, Massachusetts: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy