Essex, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Essex, Maryland had a total population of 40,580, the 25th largest community in Maryland, with a median household income of $67,168, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 40,670 | 40,580 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $67,082 | $67,168 | +0.1% |
| Median home value | $253,500 | $258,900 | +2.1% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Essex Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Baltimore County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dundalk | 65,969 | $64,520 | 17.4% | $212,700 |
| Towson | 58,679 | $101,320 | 12.1% | $469,000 |
| Catonsville | 43,368 | $114,109 | 6.9% | $416,900 |
| Woodlawn (Baltimore County) | 40,379 | $82,466 | 11.6% | $294,200 |
| Owings Mills | 37,245 | $96,243 | 5.6% | $361,000 |
| Randallstown | 35,957 | $85,735 | 9.2% | $327,200 |
| Pikesville | 33,524 | $98,465 | 7.8% | $434,500 |
| Middle River | 31,712 | $78,398 | 14.7% | $271,700 |
| Milford Mill | 30,829 | $69,711 | 8.7% | $273,600 |
| Parkville | 30,549 | $79,178 | 8.6% | $260,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodlawn (Baltimore County) | 40,379 | $82,466 | $294,200 | 35.5% | 11.6% |
| College Park | 34,540 | $69,721 | $437,900 | 52.7% | 33.2% |
| Hagerstown | 43,665 | $52,221 | $224,500 | 20.5% | 21.9% |
| Chillum | 34,871 | $79,864 | $393,600 | 22.6% | 12.4% |
| Randallstown | 35,957 | $85,735 | $327,200 | 35.9% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Essex is a mid-sized community located in Maryland, within Baltimore County. The total population is 40,580. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Essex is 41.8 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Essex is $67,168. This is 35% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $258,900. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 61.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Essex is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.2%) is well below the state average of 12.5%. The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 6.5%.
Education
19.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Essex, Maryland 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 Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 527 Census-designated places in Maryland. 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, Maryland?
Essex, Maryland has a population of 40,580 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Essex, MD?
The median household income in Essex is $67,168, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Essex, MD?
The poverty rate in Essex is 12.6%. This means approximately 5,073 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Essex, Maryland?
Essex's population is 54.7% White, 29.2% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Essex, MD?
The median home value in Essex is $258,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Essex, Maryland?
19.9% of adults (25+) in Essex hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.