Iowa
Essex is a small town in Iowa with a population of 875. Residents earn $57,344 per year, which is 24% below the national average.
Based on current data, Essex receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Essex offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Essex is $57,344, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. Only 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
The median home value in Essex is $87,700, 69% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $681 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
16.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.
Essex experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.4 inches, including 26.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
| English Only | 97.6% |
| 24% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 2.4% |
| 82% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $57,344 |
| 24% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $33,671 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $970 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $66,332 |
| Unemployment | 1.8% |
| 50% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 1.8% |
| 85% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 482 |
| County GDP | $811M |
| Restaurants | 32 |
| Healthcare | 56 |
| Retail | 61 |
| Manufacturing | 17 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,347 |
| 4% below US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.82% |
| Commute Time | 19.9 min |
| Work from Home | 0.7% |
| Census Median | $87,700 |
| 69% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $177,567 |
| Census Median Rent | $681 |
| 41% below US avg |
| Studio | $738 |
| 1 Bedroom | $788 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $989 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,282 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
| Owner-Occupied | 78.9% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,347 |
| 4% below US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 3.82% |
| Obesity | 39.2% |
| 22% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 8.7% |
| Heart Disease | 5.2% |
| High Blood Pressure | 30.4% |
| Asthma | 10.1% |
| COPD | 5.6% |
| Stroke | 2.6% |
| Binge Drinking | 22.9% |
| Physical Inactivity | 22.3% |
| Depression | 21.4% |
| Mental Distress | 17.3% |
| Physical Distress | 11.5% |
| Insurance Rate | 96.0% |
| Checkup Rate | 75.3% |
| Premature Death | 7,340/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.4/10 |
| Exercise Access | 73.1% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 56 |
| Annual Average | 51.8°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 36.4 inches |
| 4% below US avg | |
| Snowfall | 26.4 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 997 ft (304 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 534/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.8328°N, 95.3053°W |
| County FIPS | 19145 |
Winner: Republican by 42.4 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.3% |
| 52% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 91.5% |
| School Test Score | 5.73 |
| RUCC Code 6 | Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent |
| Population Density | 534/sq mi |
| Total Area | 1.6 sq mi |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 1 |
| Public Libraries | 4 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 56 |
| Restaurants | 32 |
| Retail Stores | 61 |
| Avg Commute | 19.9 min |
| Work from Home | 0.7% |