Essex, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Essex, Iowa had a total population of 854, the 329th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $58,095, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
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 | 875 | 854 | -2.4% |
| Median household income | $57,344 | $58,095 | +1.3% |
| Median home value | $87,700 | $89,900 | +2.5% |
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: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Essex Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Page County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarinda | 5,353 | $46,348 | 12.1% | $114,200 |
| Shenandoah | 4,892 | $59,783 | 21.0% | $116,700 |
| Coin | 277 | $48,889 | 12.3% | $50,000 |
| Braddyville | 173 | $58,438 | 7.1% | $80,000 |
| College Springs | 171 | $72,888 | 17.5% | $76,300 |
| Shambaugh | 113 | $70,250 | 7.1% | $66,100 |
| Northboro | 90 | $56,875 | 0.0% | $53,000 |
| Yorktown | 57 | $83,750 | 5.3% | $76,100 |
| Blanchard | 33 | $56,250 | 0.0% | $60,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tabor | 877 | $58,750 | $204,200 | 17.6% | 14.5% |
| North English | 852 | $54,531 | $118,600 | 18.5% | 10.3% |
| Paullina | 869 | $61,250 | $132,600 | 18.6% | 7.7% |
| Adair | 830 | $54,550 | $127,800 | 20.8% | 4.3% |
| Cambridge | 803 | $57,333 | $178,100 | 15.7% | 11.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 854, Essex's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Essex is a small community located in Iowa, within Page County. The total population is 854. It ranks as the 329th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Essex is 47.2 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 13.4% 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 is $58,095. This is 23% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.4%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $89,900. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Essex is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Essex has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.2% vs 7.3%).
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Essex, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. 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, Iowa?
Essex, Iowa has a population of 854 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Essex, IA?
The median household income in Essex is $58,095, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Essex, IA?
The poverty rate in Essex is 13.4%. This means approximately 114 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Essex, Iowa?
Essex's population is 85.1% White, 0.0% Black, 14.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Essex, IA?
The median home value in Essex is $89,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Essex, Iowa?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Essex hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.