Median Income
$67,082
11% lower than US avg
Home Value
$253,500
10% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
19.0%
44% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$1,307
12% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate
37.3%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment
3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
9.1%
27% lower than US avg
How Essex Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population40,670
Median Age40.9 yrs
Density4,392/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 55%
Economy
B+
Median Income$67,082
Per Capita$36,457
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty9.1%
County GDP$65,579M
Commute30 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$253,500
Rent$1,307
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$287,099
Health
Obesity37.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.2%
Heart Disease5.8%
Climate
Avg Temp55°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain47.1 in/yr
Elevation39 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+19.0%
High School+85.9%
School Score5.85
Community
2024 VoteR 12% / D 85%
Commute30 min
EV Stations3
Libraries25
Is Essex a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Essex receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include high health insurance coverage. Essex offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Essex is $67,082, 11% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. 9.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Essex is $253,500, 10% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,307 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Education
19.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.
Climate & Weather
Essex experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.
Essex has a population of 40,670 with a density of 4,392 people per square mile. The median age is 40.9 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (54.8%), with 1.5% Hispanic, 33.6% Black.
Population
40.9yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 90.2% |
| 15% above US avg |
| Spanish | 9.8% |
| 27% below US avg |
The median household income in Essex is $67,082, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.
Income
| Median HH Income | $67,082 |
| 11% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $36,457 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,593 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $65,400 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 3.6% |
| 0% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% |
| 27% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 14,856 |
| County GDP | $65,579M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 1,502 |
| Healthcare | 1,644 |
| Retail | 1,644 |
| Manufacturing | 363 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $5,571 |
| 59% above US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 2.20% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 30.3 min |
| Work from Home | 6.6% |
The median home value in Essex is $253,500, 10% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,307 (12% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $287,099.
Home Values
| Census Median | $253,500 |
| 10% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $287,099 |
| Median List Price | $299,900 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
| Median List Price | $299,900 |
| $/Sq Ft | $220 |
| Homes Sold | 20 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 101.8% |
| Price Drops | 14.9% |
| Inventory | 67 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,307 |
| 12% above US avg |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,974 |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $1,312 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,400 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,648 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,123 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,442 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $5,571 |
| 59% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 2.20% |
In Essex, 37.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.2% report depression. 30.4% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Essex vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 37.3% |
| 16% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 12.4% |
| Heart Disease | 5.8% |
| High Blood Pressure | 35.1% |
| Asthma | 12.0% |
| COPD | 7.3% |
| Stroke | 3.4% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 14.0% |
| Physical Inactivity | 30.4% |
| Depression | 23.2% |
| Mental Distress | 19.8% |
| Physical Distress | 13.3% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 95.2% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 77.5% |
| Premature Death | 15,998/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.9/10 |
| Exercise Access | 98.8% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,644 |
Crime Rates: Essex vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 45 |
Safety Score
Essex has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 55.2°F |
| 2% above US avg |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 47.1 inches |
| 24% above US avg |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 39 ft (12 m) |
| Area | 9.3 sq mi (24.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,392/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3014°N, 76.4444°W |
| County FIPS | 24510 |