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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Essex County

Massachusetts · 723,419 residents · 492.513 sq mi
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The short version

Essex County is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $51,576. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value is $206,800.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 37.5
US median: 35.2
More educated
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 11%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
723,419
+8%since 1990
from 670,080 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,469 / sq mi
+8%since 1990
from 1,361 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
37.5
+9%since 1990
from 34.5 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
656K699K742K784K827K1990201020202024Essex County
2024813K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,576
+3%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $37,913 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,358
+50%since 1990
from $17,586 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
8.9%
−0.3 ptssince 1990
from 9.3% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$206,800
−11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $176,400 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$665
−15%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $597 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
63.5%
+2.4 ptssince 1990
from 61.2% in 1990
36.5% rent
Afford Score
4.0
−14%since 1990
from 4.7 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Essex County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic92.1%(617,002)
Black2.3%(15,123)
Hispanic / Latino7.1%(47,443)
Asian1.4%(9,594)
Diversity Score31.8%(212,755)
2000
White, non-Hispanic83.1%(601,340)
Black2%(14,399)
Hispanic / Latino11%(79,871)
Asian2.3%(16,737)
Diversity Score34.2%(247,635)
Diversity Score
34
+8%since 1990
from 32 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.3%
+5.3 ptssince 1990
from 25.9% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
84.6%
+4.4 ptssince 1990
from 80.2% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
11.7%
+2.4 ptssince 1990
from 9.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.9 min
−9%since 1990
from 21.9 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Essex County

Cobb County
Pop 793,345
Utah County
Pop 759,859
Montgomery County
Pop 781,194
Ventura County
Pop 830,851
Places similar to Essex County
Head to head

Compare Essex County to nearby counties

ESSEX COUNTY VS
Suffolk County
Income$95,631+85%
Home value$705,800+241%
Population791,891−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX COUNTY VS
Rockingham County
Income$118,331+129%
Home value$497,500+141%
Population324,077−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX COUNTY VS
Middlesex County
Income$130,847+154%
Home value$727,800+252%
Population1,669,979+102%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX COUNTY VS
Norfolk County
Income$130,739+153%
Home value$683,900+231%
Population739,749−11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Essex County, Massachusetts?

Essex County, Massachusetts has about 723,419 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Essex County, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Essex County, Massachusetts earns about $51,576 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Essex County, Massachusetts expensive?

In Essex County, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $206,800, and the typical rent is about $665 a month.

How educated are people in Essex County, Massachusetts?

About 31.3% of adults age 25 and over in Essex County, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Essex County, Massachusetts?

About 8.9% of people in Essex County, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Essex County, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Essex County, Massachusetts has grown since 1990. The population has added about 53,339 residents, a change of about 8 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

174 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 2508Census Tract 2131Census Tract 2544.02Census Tract 2518Census Tract 2532.02Census Tract 2523Census Tract 2105Census Tract 2091Census Tract 2113Census Tract 2031Census Tract 2526.01Census Tract 2682Census Tract 2047.01Census Tract 2515Census Tract 2604.02Census Tract 2516Census Tract 2101Census Tract 2064Census Tract 2641Census Tract 2691
44 ZIP codes (top 30 by population)
ZIP 01960ZIP 01844ZIP 01841ZIP 01902ZIP 01970ZIP 01915ZIP 01810ZIP 01845ZIP 01930ZIP 01906ZIP 01905ZIP 01923ZIP 01843ZIP 01830ZIP 01832ZIP 01904ZIP 01945ZIP 01950ZIP 01913ZIP 01907ZIP 01835ZIP 01938ZIP 01940ZIP 01949ZIP 01952ZIP 01840ZIP 01833ZIP 01921ZIP 01982ZIP 01966
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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