County · Massachusetts
Essex County, Massachusetts
Essex County, Massachusetts. Essex County had 826,653 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.1% since 2020, in line with Massachusetts (+1.7%). It holds 42 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs, 18 towns and townships and 14 census-designated) and 174 census tracts. GEOID 25009.
Essex County is one of the 7 counties of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
826,653
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 809,829 · ACS 2020-2024: 813,054
Median household income
$101,883
±$1,515 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$619,100
±$3,976 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,756
±$23 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
How many people live in Essex County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 809,829 residents in Essex County. The Census Bureau estimates 826,653 for July 1, 2025, up 2.1% since 2020, in line with Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 813,054 over 493 square miles of land.
| Measure | Essex County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 813,054 | 7,044,056 | +29,378 |
| Households | 313,147±1,080 | 2,785,042 | +18,945 |
| Average household size | 2.54±0.01 | 2.44 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 329,776±224 | 3,030,406 | +16,784 |
Essex County's population since 2000
From 723,419 in 2000 to 826,653 in 2025: up 14.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Essex County?
Essex County holds 42 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 18 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 14 census-designated places. The largest is Lynn with 104,236 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lynn | 101,253 | $75,043 |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | 89,143 | $60,433 |
| Haverhill | 67,787 | $88,326 |
| Peabody | 54,481 | $96,657 |
| Methuen | – | $113,310 |
| Salem | 44,480 | $85,153 |
| Beverly | 42,670 | $106,044 |
| Andover | 36,569 | $172,606 |
| North Andover | 30,915 | $140,670 |
| Gloucester | 29,729 | $83,883 |
| Saugus | 28,619 | $101,539 |
| Danvers | 28,087 | $125,395 |
| Marblehead | 20,441 | $182,132 |
| Newburyport | 18,289 | $139,625 |
| Amesbury | – | $103,554 |
| Swampscott | 15,111 | $134,386 |
| Ipswich | 13,785 | $138,750 |
| Lynnfield | 13,000 | $175,265 |
| Middleton | 9,779 | $167,402 |
| Andover CDP | 9,735 | $126,563 |
| Salisbury | 9,236 | $93,361 |
| Georgetown | 8,470 | $151,595 |
| Boxford | 8,203 | $200,871 |
| Hamilton | 7,561 | $129,833 |
| Rockport | 6,992 | $96,250 |
| Groveland | 6,752 | $141,487 |
| Merrimac | 6,723 | $123,054 |
| Newbury | 6,716 | $174,868 |
| Topsfield | 6,569 | $195,718 |
| Rowley | 6,161 | $132,734 |
| Salisbury CDP | 5,629 | $92,469 |
| Manchester-by-the-Sea | 5,395 | $206,389 |
| Rockport CDP | 5,010 | $86,250 |
| Wenham | 4,979 | $194,781 |
| West Newbury | 4,500 | $179,500 |
| Ipswich CDP | 4,370 | $104,102 |
| Essex | 3,675 | $157,147 |
| Nahant | 3,334 | $112,762 |
| Topsfield CDP | 2,864 | $191,146 |
| Boxford CDP | 2,432 | $188,482 |
| Rowley CDP | 1,523 | $109,622 |
| Essex CDP | 1,517 | $161,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Essex County?
The median resident of Essex County is 41.2 years old; 20.8% are under 18 and 18.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 24.1%. 19.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Essex County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.2±0.2 | 40.0 | +0.3 |
| Under 18 years | 20.8%±0.1 pts | 19.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.5%±0.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 24.1% | 13.3% | +3.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.5%±0.3 pts | 66.6% | −5.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.1 pts | 6.4% | +0.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.1 pts | 7.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.3 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 19.1%±0.4 pts | 18.0% | +1.8 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 28.7%±0.4 pts | 25.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.3%±0.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 12.3%±0.3 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.8%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.1%±0.4 pts | 91.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 43.0%±0.6 pts | 47.3% | +3.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 17.9%±0.4 pts | 21.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.2 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Essex County earn?
Half of Essex County's 313,147 households earn less than $101,883 a year (±$1,515), against $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 the median was $97,548 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,335 after inflation. 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Essex County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $101,883±$1,515 | $103,960 | +$4,335 |
| Mean household income | $140,098±$2,122 | $144,950 | – |
| Per capita income | $54,665±$814 | $57,897 | +$2,549 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.4%±0.4 pts | 10.0% | −1.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.9%±1.1 pts | 11.7% | −2.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.6%±0.5 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.4%±0.5 pts | 92.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Essex County?
Owners occupy 63.5% of Essex County's occupied homes and renters 36.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $619,100 by its owner (±$3,976). The median renter pays $1,756 a month including utilities, and 46.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Essex County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $619,100±$3,976 | $562,100 | +$114,639 |
| Median gross rent | $1,756±$23 | $1,762 | +$229 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.4%±1.3 pts | 41.8% | +1.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,867±$25 | $2,726 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.5%±0.7 pts | 62.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 329,776±224 | 3,030,406 | +16,784 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.6%±0.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 49.6%±0.6 pts | 51.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 34.6%±0.7 pts | 30.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Essex County building?
Builders took permits for 942 new housing units across Essex County in 2025 (358 single-family), 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Essex County get to work?
67.6% of Essex County's workers drive alone and 16.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.1%.
| Measure | Essex County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.5%±0.5 pts | 67.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1%±0.4 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 67.6%±0.7 pts | 61.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3%±0.5 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.5%±0.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.7%±0.2 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.4%±0.5 pts | 18.6% | +11.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.5 min±0.3 | 29.1 min | −1.9 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Essex County's census tracts?
Essex County is divided into 174 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $20,545 (Tract 2511) to $250,000 or more (Tract 2681).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Essex County compare with Massachusetts's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 3rd of 14 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 7th of 14 |
| Residents per square mile | 4th of 14 |
| Median household income | 6th of 14 |
| Median home value | 7th of 14 |
| Median gross rent | 5th of 14 |
| Poverty rate | 8th of 14 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8th of 14 |
| Median age | 7th of 14 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Essex County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.