Essex CDP, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026

Name: Essex CDP, Maryland Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

As of 2026, Essex CDP, Maryland has a total population of 40,670, the 25th largest city in Maryland, with a median household income of $67,082, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.

Key Takeaways

Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.

Essex CDP Quick Facts

Population 40,670

Median Household Income $67,082

Median Home Value $253,500

Poverty Rate 12.7%

Unemployment Rate 5.3%

Median Age 40.9 years

Homeownership Rate 57.6%

Affordability Ratio 3.8x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 19.0%

High School Graduation Rate 85.9%

Diversity Index 60/100

Population 40,670 25th of 528

Median Income $67,082 bottom 20%

Poverty Rate 12.7% 2% higher national

Median Home Value $253,500 bottom 30%

How Essex CDP Compares

Median Household Income

Essex CDP

$67,082

$101,652

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Essex CDP

$253,500

$397,700

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 15.3%

$25K-$50K 21.1%

$50K-$100K 29.8%

$100K+ 33.7%

Employment

5.3% Unemployment Rate State: 4.9% | National: 5.2%

67.0% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 57.6%

Renter 42.4%

Affordability Index Affordable

3.8x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

22.0%

18-34

21.2%

35-54

26.6%

55-74

23.9%

75+

6.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 67 | National average: 60

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

Essex CDP Rankings in Maryland

#25 Population of 528

#378 Median Income of 528

#397 Education of 528

#350 Home Value of 528

Explore Maryland Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Essex CDP

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Woodlawn CDP (Baltimore County)	40,476	$78,591	$269,800	36.5%	13.8%
Hagerstown city	43,490	$49,957	$207,700	19.7%	22.7%
Annapolis city	40,744	$104,257	$510,200	53.7%	7.2%
College Park city	34,397	$74,867	$429,000	49.4%	29.3%
Chillum CDP	35,163	$78,513	$383,900	23.7%	11.3%

Population Overview

Essex CDP is a mid-sized community located in Maryland. The total population is 40,670. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 528 cities and towns in Maryland.

Age Demographics

The median age in Essex CDP is 40.9 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Essex CDP is $67,082. This is 34% lower than the state median of $101,652. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 15% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $253,500. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $397,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 57.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 67.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Essex CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 33.1%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.

Education

19.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 42.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Essex CDP, Maryland 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 Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 528 Census-designated places in Maryland. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Essex CDP, Maryland?

Essex CDP, Maryland has a population of 40,670 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Essex CDP, MD?

The median household income in Essex CDP is $67,082, which is 15% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Essex CDP, MD?

The poverty rate in Essex CDP is 12.7%. This means approximately 5,097 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Essex CDP, Maryland?

Essex CDP's population is 53.0% White, 33.1% Black, 7.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.

What is the median home value in Essex CDP, MD?

The median home value in Essex CDP is $253,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.

How educated is Essex CDP, Maryland?

19.0% of adults (25+) in Essex CDP hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.