Essex County, Vermont Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Essex County is located in Vermont with a total population of 5,972. It is the 14th most populous county out of 14 in Vermont.

Age Demographics

The median age in Essex County is 51.4 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 43.0 years. 10.8% 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 $58,985. This is 24% lower than the state median of $78,024. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.3%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 53% higher than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $167,500. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $290,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Essex County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 72.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Essex County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.5%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.2%.

Education

21.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 42.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.5%.