County · Virginia
Essex County, Virginia
Essex County, Virginia. Essex County had 10,654 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.5% since 2020, slower than Virginia (+2.9%). It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 51057.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,654
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 10,599 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,623
Median household income
$56,520
±$7,548 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$238,100
±$20,145 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$972
±$67 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Essex County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 10,599 residents in Essex County. The Census Bureau estimates 10,654 for July 1, 2025, up 0.5% since 2020, slower than Virginia (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 10,623 over 257 square miles of land.
| Measure | Essex County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,623 | 8,705,170 | −375 |
| Households | 4,447±215 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.36±0.11 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,811±18 | 3,684,756 | −44 |
Essex County's population since 2000
From 9,989 in 2000 to 10,654 in 2025: up 6.7%. 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 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Tappahannock with 2,193 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Tappahannock | 2,193 | $46,816 |
|---|
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 47.1 years old; 17.9% are under 18 and 24.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 53.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 36.8%. 4.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Essex County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.1±0.9 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.9%±0.4 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.2%±0.5 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.6% | 11.0% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 53.2%±1.0 pts | 58.4% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 36.8%±0.9 pts | 18.3% | −2.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 6.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4%±1.6 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.1%±2.1 pts | 13.1% | +2.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.7%±2.4 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±2.0 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.2%±3.0 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.8%±3.2 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.9%±2.8 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.6%±3.6 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.1%±2.0 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±0.9 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 4,447 households earn less than $56,520 a year (±$7,548), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $63,939 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Essex County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,520±$7,548 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $81,300±$10,610 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,139±$5,529 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.3%±3.5 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.8%±9.2 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.8%±4.0 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.2%±4.7 pts | 91.0% | – |
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 71.7% of Essex County's occupied homes and renters 28.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $238,100 by its owner (±$20,145). The median renter pays $972 a month including utilities, and 46.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Essex County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $238,100±$20,145 | $383,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $972±$67 | $1,579 | −$117 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.8%±12.7 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,426±$68 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.7%±5.2 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,811±18 | 3,684,756 | −44 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.5%±2.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7%±4.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.7%±4.1 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.6%±2.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.4%±2.6 pts | 7.0% | – |
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 62 new housing units across Essex County in 2025 (62 single-family), 5.8 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?
78.5% of Essex County's workers drive alone and 10.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 38.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.9%.
| Measure | Essex County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.1%±3.9 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9%±2.4 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.5%±5.0 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.9%±2.3 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.4%±1.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.6%±3.7 pts | 18.3% | +6.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 38.5 min±4.0 | 27.3 min | no clear change |
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 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $52,366 (Tract 9507) to $61,456 (Tract 9508).
| Tract 950651057950600 | 3,470±366 | $54,844 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950751057950700 | 3,836±375 | $52,366 |
| Tract 950851057950800 | 3,317±352 | $61,456 |
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 Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 115th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 84th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 108th of 133 |
| Median household income | 102nd of 133 |
| Median home value | 79th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 83rd of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 62nd of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 110th of 133 |
| Median age | 33rd of 133 |
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.