Population 863,002 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Essex County
Household size in Essex County
| Period | Essex County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.80 | 2.79 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.84 | 2.85 | 2.82 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.77 | 2.82 | 2.78 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.75 | 2.79 | 2.76 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | −0.00 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Essex County average 2.75 people, a bit above the national 2.65, so families with children are somewhat more common here. Household size has edged down from 2.80 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest in the southeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Essex County
| Period | Essex County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.6 | 38.0 | 39.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.4 | 38.7 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.2 | 39.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.5 | 40.4 | 40.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.9 | +2.4 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Essex County is 38.5 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 36.6 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of New Jersey's 21 counties, only two are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Essex County
| Period | Essex County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.4% | 13.1% | 11.6% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.0% | 12.8% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.1% | 11.4% | 10.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.2% | 11.6% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in six households in Essex County (16.2%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 2.2 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only two of New Jersey's 21 counties have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Essex County
Renters in Essex County
| Period | Essex County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 52.8% | 47.1% | 33.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 54.9% | 48.7% | 35.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 56.0% | 48.8% | 36.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 55.1% | 48.6% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +3.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Essex County: 55.1% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 35.6% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 2.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only one other New Jersey county has a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Essex County
| Period | Essex County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.4% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.2% | 9.0% | 9.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.9% | 9.1% | 9.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.4% | 7.9% | 6.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Essex County: 6.4% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. The picture is much the same across the New York area. Vacancy has fallen 6.0 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Essex County
| Period | Essex County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1955 | 1957 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1956 | 1958 | 1966 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1957 | 1959 | 1967 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1960 | 1962 | 1969 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Essex County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1960, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The newest homes are mostly in the southeast, the oldest in the north. Of New Jersey's 21 counties, only two have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Essex County
| Period | Essex County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,156 | $1,268 | $1,246 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,210 | $1,377 | $1,324 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,434 | $1,645 | $1,522 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,796 | $2,060 | $1,896 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$639 | +$792 | +$651 | +$606 |
The median renter in Essex County pays $1,796 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Locally, though, rents here are lower than in the New York area overall ($2,060). Rent has climbed $639 a month since 2006–10, up 55%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 33.5% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Essex County
Bachelor's degrees in Essex County
| Period | Essex County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.8% | 35.0% | 34.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 31.8% | 36.7% | 36.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.8% | 39.9% | 39.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 38.7% | 43.6% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.9 pts | +8.6 pts | +8.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in Essex County than nationally: 38.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Even so, the share is lower than in the New York area as a whole (43.6%). The share with a degree is up 7.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Essex County
| Period | Essex County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.5% | 83.7% | 87.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.6% | 84.6% | 88.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.9% | 86.2% | 89.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.3% | 86.9% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +3.3 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in seven adults in Essex County never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.3% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is up 4.8 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Essex County has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five New Jersey counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Essex County
| Period | Essex County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.3% | 9.5% | 9.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 5.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.9% | 6.9% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Essex County runs well above the national rate: 8.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. No other New Jersey county has higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 1.9 points, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Essex County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County | 2.75 | 38.5 | 16.2% | 55.1% | 6.4% | 1960 | $1,796 | 38.7% | 86.3% | 8.9% |
| Hudson County | 2.44 | 37.1 | 11.7% | 69.3% | 7.3% | 1968 | $2,049 | 49.0% | 87.9% | 6.2% |
| Union County | 2.95 | 39.6 | 14.7% | 42.6% | 5.6% | 1958 | $1,910 | 38.0% | 85.4% | 6.6% |
| New York County | 2.08 | 40.4 | 8.9% | 74.9% | 15.4% | 1956 | $2,383 | 64.7% | 89.9% | 8.2% |
| Kings County | 2.78 | 37.5 | 12.5% | 70.5% | 9.1% | 1953 | $1,954 | 40.2% | 83.6% | 8.3% |
| Morris County | 2.71 | 43.4 | 6.0% | 25.7% | 4.3% | 1971 | $2,157 | 58.3% | 95.0% | 5.0% |
| Bronx County | 2.65 | 36.9 | 22.4% | 79.9% | 6.0% | 1958 | $1,512 | 22.3% | 75.0% | 11.7% |
| Queens County | 2.88 | 41.4 | 11.8% | 55.1% | 8.4% | 1955 | $2,042 | 36.1% | 82.3% | 7.2% |
| Nassau County | 3.14 | 42.5 | 9.6% | 18.1% | 5.6% | 1955 | $2,478 | 49.8% | 92.0% | 4.8% |
| Warren County | 2.45 | 44.5 | 8.3% | 24.9% | 4.1% | 1970 | $1,595 | 36.9% | 93.9% | 5.0% |
| Northampton County | 2.54 | 42.9 | 10.2% | 28.9% | 6.2% | 1969 | $1,544 | 34.5% | 92.4% | 4.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Kern County, CA · Ventura County, CA · Pinellas County, FL · Fairfield County, CT · El Paso County, TX · San Francisco County, CA · Bergen County, NJ · Hidalgo County, TX · Pierce County, WA · Erie County, NY
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Essex County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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