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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Essex County

Massachusetts · 809,829 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 $82,225. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $436,600.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.4
US median: 38.8
More educated
41% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
809,829
+12%since 2000
from 723,419 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,644 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 1,469 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.4
+10%since 2000
from 37.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
656K699K742K784K827K1990201020202024Essex County
2024813K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$82,225
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $51,576 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$43,948
+67%since 2000
from $26,358 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
54.0%
+10.9 ptssince 2009
from 43.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 8.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.6%
US avg: 10%
Other services6.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$436,600
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $206,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,298
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $665 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
62.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 63.5% in 2000
37.5% rent
Afford Score
5.3
+32%since 2000
from 4.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Essex County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic83.1%(601,340)
Black2%(14,399)
Hispanic / Latino11%(79,871)
Asian2.3%(16,737)
Other0%
Diversity Score34.2%(247,635)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic66.2%(536,424)
Black3.3%(27,081)
Hispanic / Latino22.6%(182,847)
Asian3.6%(29,302)
Other2.5%(20,113)
Diversity Score61.2%(495,660)
Segregation Score55%(445,561)
Diversity Score
61
+79%since 2000
from 34 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
55
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
40.6%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 31.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.7%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 84.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
16.4%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.2 min
+52%since 2000
from 19.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
73.7%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 77.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 7.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2011
from 67.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
43.6%
−24.2 ptssince 2009
from 67.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
51.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
17.5%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.0%
−92.7 ptssince 2013
from 95.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+16%
Home value$705,800+62%
Population791,891−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX COUNTY VS
Rockingham County
Income$118,331+44%
Home value$497,500+14%
Population324,077−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX COUNTY VS
Middlesex County
Income$130,847+59%
Home value$727,800+67%
Population1,669,979+102%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ESSEX COUNTY VS
Norfolk County
Income$130,739+59%
Home value$683,900+57%
Population739,749−11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Essex County, Massachusetts?

Essex County, Massachusetts has about 809,829 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Essex County, Massachusetts earns about $82,225 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 $436,600, and the typical rent is about $1,298 a month.

How educated are people in Essex County, Massachusetts?

About 40.6% 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 10.1% 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 139,749 residents, a change of about 21 percent over that period.

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

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