Essex, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Essex, Massachusetts had a total population of 1,688, the 201st largest community in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $161,250, which is 55% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Massachusetts.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
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 | 1,775 | 1,688 | -4.9% |
| Median household income | $156,094 | $161,250 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $774,400 | $797,100 | +2.9% |
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: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Essex Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Essex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynn | 101,709 | $75,043 | 13.8% | $510,100 |
| Lawrence | 88,736 | $60,433 | 17.6% | $415,200 |
| Haverhill | 67,698 | $88,326 | 11.3% | $453,900 |
| Peabody | 54,695 | $96,657 | 7.6% | $596,200 |
| Salem | 44,795 | $85,153 | 12.1% | $542,800 |
| Beverly | 42,665 | $106,044 | 9.4% | $650,300 |
| Gloucester | 30,075 | $83,883 | 9.6% | $600,600 |
| Saugus | 28,773 | $101,539 | 6.0% | $603,400 |
| Danvers | 28,098 | $125,395 | 4.8% | $644,200 |
| Marblehead | 20,413 | $182,132 | 4.4% | $943,900 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Crest | 1,730 | $168,721 | $629,400 | 61.1% | 3.1% |
| Devens | 1,723 | $189,250 | $556,800 | 21.9% | 25.3% |
| Rowley | 1,708 | $109,622 | $614,800 | 57.3% | 6.2% |
| South Ashburnham | 1,500 | $126,071 | $370,300 | 27.3% | 6.2% |
| White Island Shores | 1,620 | $106,667 | $407,900 | 27.5% | 2.4% |
Population Overview
Essex is a small community located in Massachusetts, within Essex County. The total population is 1,688. It ranks as the 201st most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Essex is 42.1 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Essex is $161,250. This is 55% higher than the state median of $103,960. It is also 100% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $797,100. Housing costs are 42% higher than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 72.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Essex has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.8% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
63.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 47.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.9%. Notably, 25.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Essex, Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts. 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, Massachusetts?
Essex, Massachusetts has a population of 1,688 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Essex, MA?
The median household income in Essex is $161,250, which is 100% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Essex, MA?
The poverty rate in Essex is 7.5%. This means approximately 127 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Essex, Massachusetts?
Essex's population is 96.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Essex, MA?
The median home value in Essex is $797,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Essex, Massachusetts?
63.8% of adults (25+) in Essex hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.