At a Glance
Median Income
$101,094
$43,264 per capita
Home Value
$219,000
Zillow: $296,554
Median Rent
$1,147/mo
11.1% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
21.8%
95.4% high school+
Unemployment
3.3%
1.7% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.1%
14.7% smoking rate
How Essex Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Essex's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Essex a Good Place to Live?
A
4.2 / 5.0 - Great
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Essex residents earn a median household income of $101,094 , which is 35% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $43,264. The unemployment rate stands at 3.3% (8% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 1.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,204 business establishments, including 130 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Essex is $219,000 , 22% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $296,554. Median rent is $1,147/month, with 11.1% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 100.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1991.
Education
21.8% of adults in Essex hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(35% below the national average).
95.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Essex has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C).
Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.7 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population956
Median Age31.6 yrs
Density410/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Foreign Born0.0%
Veterans2.3%
Economy
A+
Median Income$101,094
Per Capita$43,264
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty1.7%
County GDP$6,044M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,344
Housing
A+
Home Value$219,000
Rent$1,147
Ownership90.7%
Zillow$296,554
Housing Units355
Rent Burden11.1%
Health
Obesity37.1%
Diabetes9.4%
Smoking14.7%
Heart Disease5.5%
Premature Death7,576/100K
Climate
Avg Temp49°F
Rain37.7 in/yr
Elevation590 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+21.8%
High School+95.4%
Graduate+1.7%
School Score6.1/10
Community
2024 VoteR 64% / D 34%
Commute31 min
Broadband91.6%
Internet Speed63 Mbps
EV Stations2
Libraries3
Did You Know?
The median home in Essex was built in 1991.
17.4% work from home.
The nearest airport is Joliet Regional (23 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.396 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
8.4% of the population has a disability.
There are 130 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 5 fatal vehicle crashes.