Essex, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Essex, Illinois had a total population of 1,026, the 693rd largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $108,250, which is 30% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.8% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Essex Quick Facts
How Essex Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 956 | 1,026 | +7.3% |
| Median household income | $101,094 | $108,250 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $219,000 | $228,200 | +4.2% |
How Essex Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Essex Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Kankakee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kankakee | 23,996 | $47,514 | 25.5% | $104,900 |
| Bourbonnais | 18,078 | $81,708 | 9.5% | $253,100 |
| Bradley | 15,325 | $67,420 | 7.7% | $173,400 |
| Manteno | 9,030 | $97,634 | 3.5% | $248,400 |
| Momence | 3,291 | $58,365 | 10.1% | $154,800 |
| Grant Park | 1,449 | $78,385 | 9.0% | $215,800 |
| Limestone | 1,419 | $103,906 | 4.7% | $212,200 |
| Herscher | 1,246 | $91,667 | 12.2% | $197,600 |
| St. Anne | 1,104 | $83,077 | 5.3% | $154,900 |
| Chebanse | 920 | $65,278 | 1.5% | $161,500 |
Cities Similar to Essex
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodfield | 985 | $113,438 | $246,400 | 39.0% | 4.2% |
| Hamel | 1,134 | $109,464 | $251,300 | 34.8% | 2.8% |
| Oreana | 1,037 | $89,000 | $137,300 | 24.6% | 3.0% |
| Valmeyer | 1,090 | $94,821 | $223,200 | 24.0% | 4.8% |
| Lake Catherine | 968 | $91,667 | $257,200 | 33.9% | 11.9% |
Population Overview
Essex is a small community located in Illinois, within Kankakee County. The total population is 1,026. It ranks as the 693rd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Essex is 34.3 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 35.6% of the population under 18, Essex has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Essex is $108,250. This is 30% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.8%. This is 68% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $228,200. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Essex is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 89.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Essex is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.3%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Essex, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Essex, Illinois?
Essex, Illinois has a population of 1,026 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Essex, IL?
The median household income in Essex is $108,250, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Essex, IL?
The poverty rate in Essex is 3.8%. This means approximately 39 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Essex, Illinois?
Essex's population is 83.3% White, 0.8% Black, 10.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Essex, IL?
The median home value in Essex is $228,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Essex, Illinois?
23.2% of adults (25+) in Essex hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.