Essex city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Essex city, Iowa has a total population of 875, the 325th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $57,344, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
Essex city Quick Facts
How Essex city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Essex city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Cities Similar to Essex city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adair city | 853 | $57,250 | $126,600 | 22.6% | 4.5% |
| Paullina city | 843 | $57,308 | $118,800 | 18.9% | 8.1% |
| Elgin city | 848 | $60,114 | $87,300 | 16.4% | 4.3% |
| Odebolt city | 905 | $54,914 | $98,100 | 16.5% | 8.3% |
| Dumont city | 829 | $57,604 | $72,700 | 10.9% | 13.1% |
Population Overview
Essex city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 875. It ranks as the 325th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Essex city is 48.0 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Essex city is $57,344. This is 22% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 27% lower. The poverty rate stands at 9.6%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $87,700. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Essex city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Essex city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (13.9% vs 7.0%).
Education
16.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Essex city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Essex city, Iowa?
Essex city, Iowa has a population of 875 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Essex city, IA?
The median household income in Essex city is $57,344, which is 27% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Essex city, IA?
The poverty rate in Essex city is 9.6%. This means approximately 83 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Essex city, Iowa?
Essex city's population is 85.1% White, 0.0% Black, 13.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Essex city, IA?
The median home value in Essex city is $87,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Essex city, Iowa?
16.3% of adults (25+) in Essex city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.