Essex County, New York Demographics 2026
Essex County, New York has a population of 37,077, the 56th most populous county in New York. The median household income is $70,215 and the median home value is $200,000. The poverty rate is 11.8%.
Essex County Quick Facts
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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Essex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ticonderoga | 3,375 | $51,324 | 19.9% | $152,000 |
| Lake Placid | 2,159 | $49,556 | 9.7% | $370,700 |
| Mineville | 1,495 | $59,661 | 20.2% | $110,600 |
| Port Henry | 1,403 | $42,895 | 30.6% | $159,200 |
| Wilmington | 979 | $91,750 | 2.8% | $260,300 |
| Schroon Lake | 898 | $67,188 | 6.2% | $252,200 |
| Elizabethtown | 662 | $68,214 | 14.9% | $178,600 |
| Willsboro | 648 | $51,250 | 22.4% | $124,700 |
| Willsboro Point | 640 | $127,658 | 6.9% | $288,600 |
| Westport | 250 | $48,214 | 36.4% | $131,300 |
| Witherbee | 190 | $41,089 | 6.8% | N/A |
Explore New York Rankings
Population Overview
Essex County is located in New York with a total population of 37,077. It is the 56th most populous county out of 62 in New York. The county encompasses 11 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Essex County is 49.5 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 39.6 years. 10.5% 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 County is $70,215. This is 17% lower than the state median of $84,578. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $78,538. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $200,000. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $403,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Essex County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% higher than the state average of 54.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Essex County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.7% vs 53.4%). The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 19.6%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.
Education
31.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. 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 figures for Essex County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023), with comparisons drawn against New York and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Essex County, New York?
Essex County has a population of 37,077, making it the 56th most populous county in New York.
What is the median income in Essex County?
The median household income in Essex County is $70,215 with a poverty rate of 11.8%.
How many cities are in Essex County, New York?
Essex County contains 11 Census-designated places.