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Essex, MO

Missouri

Essex is a small town in Missouri with a population of 373. Residents earn $63,854 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
373 Population 1,286/sq mi density
$63,854 Median Income $27,829 per capita
$115,600 Home Value
$625 Median Rent 31.4% income on rent
432 Violent Crime/100K 2,160 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$63,854 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$115,600 home value, $625/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
432 violent crimes/100K (14% above avg)
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
4.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,854
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $115,600
59% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 432/100K
14% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 4.4%
87% lower than US avg
Median Rent $625
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.8%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.7%
46% lower than US avg

How Essex Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population373
Median Age44.8 yrs
Density1,286/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans16.1%

Economy

A
Median Income$63,854
Per Capita$27,829
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty6.7%
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$115,600
Rent$625
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units251
Rent Burden31.4%

Crime

F
Violent432/100K
Property2,160/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault216/100K
Burglary1,080/100K

Health

Obesity37.8%
Uninsured11.5%
Smoking23.5%
Depression28.5%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg TempN/A
AQI41 (Good)
Sunny Days318/yr
Elevation302 ft (92 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+4.4%
High School+77.4%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.51

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute20 min
Broadband95.2%

Is Essex a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Essex receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Essex has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Essex is $63,854, 15% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. Only 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Essex is $115,600, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $625 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 432 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,160 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

4.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

With 318 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Essex has a population of 373 with a density of 1,286 people per square mile. The median age is 44.8 years, 15% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.1%).

Population

373
Total Population
1,286
People / sq mi
44.8yrs
Median Age
15% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Essex vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Essex vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Essex is $63,854, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Essex vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,854
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,829

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.7%
46% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.4 min
Drive Alone97.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Essex is $115,600, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $625 (46% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$115,600
59% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$625
46% below US avg
Rent Burden31.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$732
1 Bedroom$775
2 Bedrooms$970
3 Bedrooms$1,265
4 Bedrooms$1,457

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied74.9%
Housing Units251
Median Year Built1979

Property Tax

In Essex, 37.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 11.5% of residents lack health insurance. 23.5% are current smokers. 28.5% report depression. 34.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Essex vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.8%
18% above US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure34.4%
Asthma11.4%
COPD9.9%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking23.5%
68% above US avg
Binge Drinking17.1%
Physical Inactivity34.2%
Depression28.5%
Mental Distress21.7%
Physical Distress16.7%
Short Sleep41.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate74.3%
Uninsured11.5%
34% above US avg
Checkup Rate73.5%
Dental Visits50.8%

Food & Exercise

Essex has a violent crime rate of 432 per 100,000 residents, 14% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,160 per 100,000 (10% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Essex vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent432.0/100K
14% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery216.0/100K
Assault216.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,159.8/100K
10% above US avg
Burglary1,079.9/100K
Theft648.0/100K
Vehicle Theft432.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
4.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (87% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.2-point margin. 95.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.6%
D 22.4%

Winner: Republican by 54.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+4.4%
87% below US avg
High School+77.4%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.51
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density1,286/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access95.2%

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.4 min
Drive Alone97.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.4%

Nearby Cities

Dexter, MO 7,906 pop · 5.5 mi Bloomfield, MO 2,011 pop · 6.3 mi Bernie, MO 1,772 pop · 11.6 mi Sikeston, MO 16,231 pop · 15.8 mi Malden, MO 3,818 pop · 18.6 mi New Madrid, MO 2,720 pop · 19.3 mi Advance, MO 1,549 pop · 20.4 mi Lilbourn, MO 1,021 pop · 20.4 mi Oran, MO 1,137 pop · 22.0 mi Campbell, MO 1,719 pop · 25.0 mi East Prairie, MO 2,930 pop · 26.4 mi Chaffee, MO 3,039 pop · 27.8 mi Portageville, MO 2,869 pop · 28.2 mi Charleston, MO 4,565 pop · 29.2 mi
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