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Essex County, Massachusetts (MA)

County population in 2022: 806,765 (96% urban, 4% rural); it was 723,419 in 2000
County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 138,604
County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 43,968
County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 175,022
Renter-occupied apartments: 103,384 (it was 100,397 in 2000)
% of renters here:

36%
State:

38%

Land area: 501 sq. mi.

Water area: 327.9 sq. mi.

Population density: 1611 people per square mile   (very high).

March 2022 cost of living index in Essex County: 134.6 (high, U.S. average is 100)

Industries providing employment: Educational, health and social services (24.8%), Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (15.0%), Manufacturing (10.6%), Retail trade (10.1%).

Type of workers:

  • Private wage or salary: 82%
  • Government: 12%
  • Self-employed, not incorporated: 6%
  • Unpaid family work: 0%
  • OSM Map
  • General Map
  • Google Map
  • MSN Map

  • Races in Essex County, MA (2022)
    • 518,98464.3%White Non-Hispanic Alone
    • 192,45423.9%Hispanic or Latino
    • 30,6523.8%Black Non-Hispanic Alone
    • 30,0913.7%Asian alone
    • 27,2893.4%Two or more races
    • 6,4680.8%Some other race alone
    • 5730.07%American Indian and Alaska Native alone
    • 2540.03%Native Hawaiian and Other
      Pacific Islander alone
Median resident age:

41.2 years
Massachusetts median age:

40.3 years
Males: 392,783  (48.7%)
Females: 413,982  (51.3%)
Essex County, MA forum
Recent posts about Essex County, Massachusetts on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. Essex County is mentioned 246 times on our forum:
2023 Real Estate Observations  (5278 replies)
Boston Racial Stigma- is it "cool" to hate on Boston?  (632 replies)
Population slightly down in MA 2022  (362 replies)
2021 Real Estate Observations  (1729 replies)
Why is Boston so famous for its racism?!  (1466 replies)
Boston area population lost 2020-2021  (122 replies)
Average household size:
Essex County:

2.0 people
Massachusetts:

2 people

Estimated median household income in 2022: $92,413 ($51,576 in 1999)
This county:

$92,413
Massachusetts:

$94,488

Median contract rent in 2022 for apartments: $1,498 (lower quartile is $1,037, upper quartile is $1,933)
This county:

$1498
State:

$1446


Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $580,800 (it was $206,800 in 2000)
Essex:

$580,800
Massachusetts:

$534,700
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $414,500 - $770,100

Mean price in 2022:

Detached houses: $712,185
Here:

$712,185
State:

$651,570

Townhouses or other attached units: $551,275
Here:

$551,275
State:

$617,749

In 2-unit structures: $503,219
Here:

$503,219
State:

$594,808

In 3-to-4-unit structures: $450,535
Here:

$450,535
State:

$601,912

In 5-or-more-unit structures: $352,534
Here:

$352,534
State:

$555,768

Mobile homes: $123,118
Here:

$123,118
State:

$170,209

Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $131,058
Here:

$131,058
State:

$207,873

Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $2,598
Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $987

Institutionalized population: 6,766
Essex County, MA map from a distance

Health of residents in Essex County based on CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaires from 2003 to 2012:

General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) is 3.5. This is about average.
73.3% of residents exercised in the past month. This is about average.
47.5% of residents smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives. This is about average.
78.2% of adult residents drank alcohol in the past 30 days. This is about average.
77.4% of residents visited a dentist within the past year. This is more than average.
Average weight of males is 192 pounds. This is about average.
Average weight of females is 157 pounds. This is about average.
10.5% of residents keep firearms around their homes. This is less than average.

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 2022: 454 buildings, average cost: $467,400
  • 2021: 508 buildings, average cost: $402,900
  • 2020: 495 buildings, average cost: $353,800
  • 2019: 569 buildings, average cost: $327,600
  • 2018: 608 buildings, average cost: $313,800
  • 2017: 624 buildings, average cost: $321,900
  • 2016: 716 buildings, average cost: $306,400
  • 2015: 615 buildings, average cost: $320,900
  • 2014: 736 buildings, average cost: $310,100
  • 2013: 747 buildings, average cost: $312,100
  • 2012: 645 buildings, average cost: $301,100
  • 2011: 435 buildings, average cost: $317,400
  • 2010: 553 buildings, average cost: $296,000
  • 2009: 389 buildings, average cost: $298,500
  • 2008: 458 buildings, average cost: $288,300
  • 2007: 684 buildings, average cost: $277,700
  • 2006: 941 buildings, average cost: $232,500
  • 2005: 1141 buildings, average cost: $233,800
  • 2004: 1180 buildings, average cost: $234,100
  • 2003: 978 buildings, average cost: $203,900
  • 2002: 1088 buildings, average cost: $202,200
  • 2001: 1088 buildings, average cost: $180,300
  • 2000: 1276 buildings, average cost: $173,200
  • 1999: 1367 buildings, average cost: $151,400
  • 1998: 1518 buildings, average cost: $147,400
  • 1997: 1597 buildings, average cost: $141,400
Number of permits per 10,000 Essex, MA residents
Average permit cost in Essex, MA

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2022: $5,920 (1.0%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2022: $5,981 (1.1%)

Distribution of median household income in Essex, MA in 2022
Distribution of house value in Essex, MA in 2022
Distribution of rent paid by renters in Essex, MA in 2022
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 9.8%
Essex County:

9.8%
Massachusetts:

10.4%
(7.4% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 14.3% for Black residents, 15.8% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 21.8% for American Indian residents, 17.0% for other race residents, 10.6% for two or more races residents)

Median age of residents in 2022: 41.2 years old
(Males: 39.6 years old, Females: 43.1 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 48.8 years old, Black residents: 30.9 years old, American Indian residents: 41.1 years old, Asian residents: 37.2 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 29.7 years old, Other race residents: 31.2 years old)

Area name: Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Essex County is $1128 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1324 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $1584 a month.

Cities in this county include: Lynn, Lawrence, Haverhill, Peabody, Methuen, Salem, Beverly, Gloucester, North Andover, Saugus.

Essex County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

2023 air pollution in Essex County:

Nitrogen Dioxide: 0.00 ppm (standard limit: 0.053 ppm). Below U.S. average.
Ozone (1-hour): 0.033 ppm (standard limit: 0.12 ppm). Near U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Annual: 7.2 µg/m3(standard limit: 15.0 µg/m3). Near U.S. average.

Click to draw/clear Essex County borders

Neighboring counties: Cheshire County, New Hampshire , Box Butte County, Nebraska , Macomb County, Michigan , Keya Paha County, Nebraska , Wyoming County, New York , Mitchell County, Iowa , Yankton County, South Dakota , Pierce County, Nebraska .

Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

3.6%
Massachusetts:

3.5%

Unemployment by year in Essex, MA
County total employment by year in Essex, MA
County average yearly wages by year in Essex, MA

Current college students: 41,131
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 89.8%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 41.6%

Number of foreign born residents: 158,418 (55.0% naturalized citizens)

Essex County:

19.6%
Whole state:

18.0%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
  • Year of entry for the foreign-born population
  • 58,4722010 or later
  • 39,9852000 to 2009
  • 28,0361990 to 1999
  • 23,3551980 to 1989
  • 11,3471970 to 1979
  • 15,395Before 1970

Mean travel time to work (commute):  minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 94.7%

Essex County marital status for males Essex County marital status for females

Housing units in structures:

  • One, detached: 160,825
  • One, attached: 22,282
  • Two: 34,288
  • 3 or 4: 41,856
  • 5 to 9: 16,623
  • 10 to 19: 13,767
  • 20 to 49: 14,581
  • 50 or more: 23,526
  • Mobile homes: 2,120
  • Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 293

Housing units in Essex County with a mortgage: 140,540 (20,036 second mortgage, 420 home equity loan, 18,056 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 4,489

Here:

97.2% with mortgage
State:

96.2% with mortgage

Religion statistics for Essex County

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic341,97055
Mainline Protestant33,710140
Evangelical Protestant20,925160
Other15,88263
Orthodox11,59013
Black Protestant3763
None318,706-
Essex County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 145
Essex County:

1.98 / 10,000 pop.
State:

1.98 / 10,000 pop.

Number of supercenters and club stores: 3
Here:

0.04 / 10,000 pop.
Massachusetts:

0.05 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (no gas): 144
This county:

1.97 / 10,000 pop.
Massachusetts:

2.22 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (with gas): 95
Essex County:

1.30 / 10,000 pop.
Massachusetts:

1.77 / 10,000 pop.

Number of full-service restaurants: 557
This county:

7.60 / 10,000 pop.
State:

8.76 / 10,000 pop.

Adult diabetes rate:
Essex County:

8.4%
Massachusetts:

8.1%

Adult obesity rate:
Essex County:

23.7%
State:

22.5%

Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:

20.7%
State:

16.5%

Agriculture in Essex County:

Average size of farms: 70 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $61,173
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $2254.56
The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 61.25%
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 17.97%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $66,010
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 31.96%
Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 6.29%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $51,248
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 81.50%
Average age of principal farm operators: 55 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 7.42
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 26.35%
Vegetables: 1,134 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 366 acres

Earthquake activity:

Essex County-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Massachusetts state average. It is 73% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.3 (5.3 ML, Depth: 3.0 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 188.4 miles away from Essex County center
On 10/7/1983 at 10:18:46, a magnitude 5.3 (5.1 MB, 5.3 LG, 5.1 ML) earthquake occurred 192.6 miles away from the county center
On 1/19/1982 at 00:14:42, a magnitude 4.7 (4.5 MB, 4.7 MD, 4.5 LG, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 67.7 miles away from the county center
On 10/16/2012 at 23:12:25, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 ML, Depth: 10.0 mi) earthquake occurred 68.4 miles away from the county center
On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MB, 4.2 MS, 5.2 MW, 5.0 MW) earthquake occurred 188.0 miles away from Essex County center
On 8/22/1992 at 12:20:32, a magnitude 4.8 (4.8 MB, 3.8 MS, 4.7 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 246.5 miles away from the county center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Most recent natural disasters:

  • Massachusetts Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding, Incident Period: January 26, 2015 to January 29, 2015, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4214: April 13, 2015, FEMA Id: 4214, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm, Flood
  • Massachusetts Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding, Incident Period: February 08, 2013 to February 10, 2013, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4110: April 19, 2013, FEMA Id: 4110, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm, Flood
  • Massachusetts Hurricane Sandy, Incident Period: October 27, 2012 to November 08, 2012, Emergency Declared EM-3350: October 28, 2012, FEMA Id: 3350, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • Massachusetts Severe Storm, Incident Period: October 29, 2011 to October 30, 2011, Emergency Declared EM-3343: November 01, 2011, FEMA Id: 3343, Natural disaster type: Storm
  • Massachusetts Hurricane Irene, Incident Period: August 26, 2011 to September 05, 2011, Emergency Declared EM-3330: August 26, 2011, FEMA Id: 3330, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • Massachusetts Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, Incident Period: January 11, 2011 to January 12, 2011, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1959: March 07, 2011, FEMA Id: 1959, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
  • Massachusetts Hurricane Earl, Incident Period: September 01, 2010 to September 04, 2010, Emergency Declared EM-3315: September 02, 2010, FEMA Id: 3315, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • Massachusetts Water Main Break, Incident Period: May 01, 2010 to May 05, 2010, Emergency Declared EM-3312: May 03, 2010, FEMA Id: 3312, Natural disaster type: Water Main Break
  • Massachusetts Severe Storm and Flooding, Incident Period: March 12, 2010 to April 26, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1895: March 29, 2010, FEMA Id: 1895, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
  • Massachusetts Severe Winter Storm and Flooding, Incident Period: December 11, 2008 to December 18, 2008, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1813: January 05, 2009, FEMA Id: 1813, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Flood
  • 23 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.

The number of natural disasters in Essex County (33) is a lot greater than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 20
Emergencies Declared: 13

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 14, Storms: 11, Hurricanes: 6, Snowstorms: 5, Winter Storms: 5, Snows: 3, Blizzards: 2, Fire: 1, Heavy Rain: 1, Snowfall: 1, Water Main Break: 1, Wind: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Means of transportation to work in 2022 - Essex

Means of transportation to work:

  • Drove a car alone: 233,068 (67.3%)
  • Carpooled: 18,635 (5.4%)
  • Bus: 2,735 (0.8%)
  • Subway or elevated rail: 311 (0.1%)
  • Long-distance train or commuter rail: 693 (0.2%)
  • Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 11,397 (3.3%)
  • Bicycle: 1,126 (0.3%)
  • Walked: 10,060 (2.9%)
  • Worked at home: 68,221 (19.7%)
Class of Workers in 2022
Most common industries in 2022 (%)
Males Females
Most common industries for males in 2022


  • Health care and social assistance (24%)
  • Educational services (13%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (10%)
  • Retail trade (9%)
  • Manufacturing (8%)
  • Accommodation and food services (7%)
  • Finance and insurance (5%)

Most common industries for females in 2022


  • Health care and social assistance (25%)
  • Educational services (13%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (10%)
  • Retail trade (10%)
  • Manufacturing (8%)
  • Accommodation and food services (7%)
  • Finance and insurance (5%)

Most common occupations in 2022 (%)
Males Females
Most common occupations for males in 2022


  • Management occupations (14%)
  • Construction and extraction occupations (10%)
  • Sales and related occupations (10%)
  • Transportation occupations (7%)
  • Office and administrative support occupations (7%)
  • Production occupations (6%)
  • Business and financial operations occupations (6%)

Most common occupations for females in 2022


  • Office and administrative support occupations (14%)
  • Management occupations (11%)
  • Educational instruction, and library occupations (10%)
  • Sales and related occupations (10%)
  • Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (7%)
  • Business and financial operations occupations (7%)
  • Healthcare support occupations (6%)

Most common places of birth for foreign-born residents


  • Dominican Republic (37%)
  • Guatemala (7%)
  • Brazil (6%)
  • El Salvador (3%)
  • Haiti (3%)
  • India (3%)
  • China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (2%)

Most common first ancestries reported in Essex County


  • Irish (11%)
  • Italian (10%)
  • English (5%)
  • American (3%)
  • French Canadian (2%)
  • European (2%)
  • French (except Basque) (2%)

Owners and renters by unit type
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders

People in group quarters in Essex County, Massachusetts in 2010:

  • 6,140 people in college/university student housing
  • 4,910 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
  • 1,411 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
  • 1,102 people in other noninstitutional facilities
  • 926 people in group homes intended for adults
  • 617 people in emergency and transitional shelters (with sleeping facilities) for people experiencing homelessness
  • 481 people in residential treatment centers for adults
  • 437 people in workers' group living quarters and job corps centers
  • 169 people in residential schools for people with disabilities
  • 113 people in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-correctional)
  • 108 people in group homes for juveniles (non-correctional)
  • 23 people in correctional facilities intended for juveniles
  • 20 people in correctional residential facilities
  • 12 people in in-patient hospice facilities
  • 3 people in military barracks and dormitories (nondisciplinary)

People in group quarters in Essex County, Massachusetts in 2000:

  • 6,883 people in nursing homes
  • 5,493 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
  • 1,574 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
  • 744 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 457 people in homes for the mentally retarded
  • 375 people in religious group quarters
  • 318 people in other nonhousehold living situations
  • 268 people in other group homes
  • 158 people in schools, hospitals, or wards for the intellectually disabled
  • 140 people in residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children
  • 125 people in homes for the mentally ill
  • 121 people in homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse
  • 88 people in homes for the physically handicapped
  • 35 people in orthopedic wards and institutions for the physically handicapped
  • 30 people in institutions for the deaf
  • 27 people in homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children
  • 25 people in short-term care, detention or diagnostic centers for delinquent children
  • 14 people in mental (psychiatric) hospitals or wards
  • 8 people in hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill
  • 8 people in other hospitals or wards for chronically ill
  • 6 people in agriculture workers' dormitories on farms
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2020 was $108,458.

5.09% of this county's 2021 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2020 ($96,821 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

5.09%
Massachusetts average:

6.35%


0.01% of residents moved from foreign countries ($21 average AGI)
Essex County:

0.01%
Massachusetts average:

0.01%

3.08% relocated from other counties in Massachusetts ($60,690 average AGI)
2.01% relocated from other states ($36,110 average AGI)
Essex County:

2.01%
Massachusetts average:

2.58%

Residents relocating <b>from</b> other counties or countries

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2020 and 2021:
from Middlesex County, MA  1.68% ($100,625 average AGI)
from Suffolk County, MA  0.95% ($108,931)
from Rockingham County, NH  0.28% ($75,273)
from Norfolk County, MA  0.17% ($96,005)
from Worcester County, MA  0.11% ($62,995)
from Hillsborough County, NH  0.11% ($97,230)
from New York County, NY  0.06% ($153,846)


5.47% of this county's 2020 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2021 ($95,440 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

5.47%
Massachusetts average:

7.18%


0.01% of residents moved to foreign countries ($53 average AGI)
Essex County:

0.01%
Massachusetts average:

0.02%

2.33% relocated to other counties in Massachusetts ($37,710 average AGI)
3.13% relocated to other states ($57,678 average AGI)
Essex County:

3.13%
Massachusetts average:

3.43%

Residents relocating <b>to</b> other counties or countries

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2020 and 2021:
to Middlesex County, MA  1.29% ($97,144 average AGI)
to Rockingham County, NH  0.64% ($100,677)
to Suffolk County, MA  0.52% ($73,556)
to Hillsborough County, NH  0.26% ($73,972)
to Worcester County, MA  0.16% ($67,827)
to Norfolk County, MA  0.13% ($92,901)
to York County, ME  0.09% ($102,483)

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 14.5
Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2009: 12.6
Births per 1000 population from 2010 to 2022: 9.2

Births per 1000 population in Essex County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 9.1
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2009: 8.7
Deaths per 1000 population from 2010 to 2020: 8.8

Deaths per 1000 population in Essex County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 6.1
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2009: 4.7
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2010 to 2021: 4.0

Infant deaths per 1000 population in Essex County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2018: 3.8%
Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2018: 1.3%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Essex County
All 18-64 40-64 50-64 Under 19
Population without health insurance coverage in Essex County
18-64 population without health insurance coverage in Essex County
40-64 population without health insurance coverage in Essex County
50-64 population without health insurance coverage in Essex County
Population under 19 years without health insurance coverage in Essex County

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 115,636 (96,203 aged, 19,433 disabled)
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 7,842 (4%)
Persons enrolled in Medicare
Aged persons enrolled in Medicare
Disabled persons enrolled in Medicare

Most common underlying causes of death in Essex County, Massachusetts in 1999 - 2019:

  • Atherosclerotic heart disease (9,638)
  • Unspecified dementia (8,786)
  • Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (8,374)
  • Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (6,035)
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified (4,992)
  • Alzheimer disease, unspecified (4,337)
  • Congestive heart failure (4,128)
  • Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (3,345)
  • Pneumonia, unspecified (3,254)
  • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, so described (3,240)

Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 10%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 7%

Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 0.81
Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 9,646
Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 192
Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 40,464

General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,249
Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 879
Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 20

Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 62
Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 100

Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 18
Beer, wine & liquor stores per 100,000 population in 2005: 1
Fitness & recreation sports centers per 100,000 population in 2005: 4,159

EPA green book nonattainment status in 2004-2006: 1

Homicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 22.1. This is less than state average.

Mechanisms of homicide
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
  • Firearm - 8.2
  • Cut/Pierce - 6.3
  • Other - 7.6

Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 72.8. This is more than state average.

Mechanisms of suicide
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
  • Suffocation - 27.8
  • Firearm - 17.4
  • Poisoning - 16.6
  • Other - 11.0

Household type by relationship:

Households: 806,765
  • Male householders: 138,445 (35,101 living alone), Female householders: 175,558 (55,846 living alone)
  • 141,765 spouses (138,572 opposite-sex spouses), 22,696 unmarried partners, (20,406 opposite-sex unmarried partners), 234,072 children (223,483 natural, 5,480 adopted, 5,109 stepchildren), 11,470 grandchildren, 11,628 brothers or sisters, 16,379 parents, 920 foster children, 15,553 other relatives, 21,371 non-relatives
  • In group quarters: 16,908

Size of family households: 80,040 2-persons, 49,078 3-persons, 43,190 4-persons, 20,809 5-persons, 6,226 6-persons, 3,464 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 90,947 1-person, 17,465 2-persons, 1,719 3-persons, 717 4-persons, 258 5-persons, 90 7-or-more-persons.

100,451 married couples with children.
50,007 single-parent households (11,061 men, 38,946 women).

70.6% of residents of Essex speak English at home.
19.2% of residents speak Spanish at home (48% speak English very well, 19% speak English well, 19% speak English not well, 14% don't speak English at all).
6.6% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (65% speak English very well, 20% speak English well, 12% speak English not well, 3% don't speak English at all).
2.3% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (49% speak English very well, 21% speak English well, 24% speak English not well, 6% don't speak English at all).
1.3% of residents speak other language at home (73% speak English very well, 19% speak English well, 6% speak English not well, 2% don't speak English at all).

In fiscal year 2004:

Federal Government expenditure: $4,843,708,000 ($6,555 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $1,004,284,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $1,617,804,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $1,049,141,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $9,793,000
Federal grants: $898,415,000
Federal procurement contracts: $1,031,769,000 ($958,839,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $236,786,000 ($11,362,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $23,817,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $317,935,000
Federal Government insurance: $862,345,000

Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:

Births: 53,618
Here:

73 per 1000 residents
State:

67 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 34,360
Here:

47 per 1000 residents
State:

46 per 1000 residents

Net international migration: +14,988
Here:

+20 per 1000 residents
State:

+25 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: -18,537
Here -25 per 1000 residents
State -37 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Essex County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 74.13 millions of gallons per day (8% from ground, 92% from surface)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:

6.6
State:

6.5

Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:

4.1
State:

4.0

Year house built in Essex County, Massachusetts
  • Year house built in Essex County, Massachusetts
  • 2,1672020 or later
  • 17,6812010 to 2019
  • 25,6472000 to 2009
  • 20,8881990 to 1999
  • 37,4651980 to 1989
  • 31,4971970 to 1979
  • 31,1511960 to 1969
  • 32,8271950 to 1959
  • 16,4841940 to 1949
  • 114,3541939 or earlier
Rooms in houses/apartments in Essex County, Massachusetts
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Essex County, Massachusetts
  • Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Essex County, Massachusetts
  • 5071 room
  • 1,7512 rooms
  • 4,9573 rooms
  • 20,2164 rooms
  • 32,5665 rooms
  • 38,1726 rooms
  • 34,3617 rooms
  • 26,5628 rooms
  • 41,9969+ rooms
Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Essex County, Massachusetts
  • Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Essex County, Massachusetts
  • 6,4541 room
  • 7,2692 rooms
  • 25,2103 rooms
  • 31,7014 rooms
  • 19,9755 rooms
  • 11,8216 rooms
  • 5,3507 rooms
  • 2,2478 rooms
  • 2,8889+ rooms
Bedrooms in houses/apartments in Essex County, Massachusetts
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses in Essex County, Massachusetts
  • Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses in Essex County, Massachusetts
  • 664no bedroom
  • 8,8771 bedroom
  • 43,2962 bedrooms
  • 83,4253 bedrooms
  • 51,5184 bedrooms
  • 13,3085+ bedrooms
Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Essex County, Massachusetts
  • Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Essex County, Massachusetts
  • 7,190no bedroom
  • 34,7621 bedroom
  • 41,9832 bedrooms
  • 21,6003 bedrooms
  • 5,5824 bedrooms
  • 1,7985+ bedrooms
Cars and other vehicles available in Essex County, Massachusetts in houses/condos/apartments
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Cars and other vehicles available in Essex County in owner-occupied houses/condos
  • Cars and other vehicles available in Essex County in owner-occupied houses/condos
  • 5,945no vehicle
  • 57,2521 vehicle
  • 84,8652 vehicles
  • 34,1213 vehicles
  • 13,8804 vehicles
  • 5,0255+ vehicles
Cars and other vehicles available in Essex County in renter-occupied apartments
  • Cars and other vehicles available in Essex County in renter-occupied apartments
  • 21,470no vehicle
  • 59,5481 vehicle
  • 25,6202 vehicles
  • 5,3313 vehicles
  • 5804 vehicles
  • 3665+ vehicles

90.2% of Essex County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago.
   Out of people who lived in different houses, 36% lived in this county.
   Out of people who lived in different counties, 68% lived in Massachusetts.

Essex County:

90.2%
State average:

87.7%

Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:

  • This state: 499,464
  • Other state: 126,406
  • Northeast: 77,243
  • Midwest: 16,728
  • South: 19,457
  • West: 12,978
Year householders moved into unit in Essex County, MA
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Essex County
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos
  • 58.3%Utility gas
  • 26.3%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 8.1%Electricity
  • 5.2%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 0.9%Other fuel
  • 0.8%Wood
  • 0.2%No fuel used
  • 0.2%Solar energy
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments
  • 54.3%Utility gas
  • 32.3%Electricity
  • 8.8%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 2.1%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 1.3%No fuel used
  • 0.9%Other fuel
  • 0.3%Wood

Private vs. public school enrollment:


Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 8,346
Here:

11.5%
Massachusetts:

10.3%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 7,172
Here:

16.7%
Massachusetts:

12.3%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 17,041
Here:

47.7%
Massachusetts:

51.2%

Educational Attainment
School Enrollment by Level of School
Age and Sex of Sensory-Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Physically-Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Mentally-Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Self-Care Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Go-Outside-Home Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Noninstitutionalized Residents with Employment Disability

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in 2006:

  • Total number of recipients: 21,062
  • Number of aged recipients: 5,684
  • Number of blind and disabled recipients: 15,378
  • Number of recipients under 18: 2,283
  • Number of recipients between 18 and 64: 12,698
  • Number of recipients older than 64: 6,081
  • Number of recipients also receiving OASDI: 7,674
  • Amount of payments (thousands of dollars): 10,567
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 156 full tracts)
A) FHA, FSA/RHS & VA
Home Purchase Loans
B) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans
C) Refinancings
D) Home Improvement Loans
E) Loans on Dwellings For 5+ Families
F) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D)
G) Loans On Manufactured
Home Dwelling (A B C & D)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED2,495$240,4234,559$239,60421,862$265,3191,126$156,06883$1,319,7831,190$242,10322$53,000
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED163$214,810326$255,4661,487$274,215140$80,4369$679,55690$207,3445$51,800
APPLICATIONS DENIED528$205,061811$201,6524,949$279,098471$119,34016$357,250421$209,97922$76,500
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN339$225,593593$248,5993,428$269,632123$204,0984$521,250197$234,6092$69,000
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS82$199,171130$242,7151,000$272,23528$186,5001$252,00054$217,9812$47,500
Private Mortgage Insurance Companies Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 145 full tracts)
A) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans
B) Refinancings
C) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A & B)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED525$274,800405$303,7317$233,571
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED222$270,622189$288,0264$175,250
APPLICATIONS DENIED161$250,286149$295,7527$256,714
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN53$252,75535$266,8570$0
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS13$251,07714$296,0712$161,000
Conventional Home Purchase Loans in Essex, MA
Conventional Home Purchase Loans in Essex, MA - Value
Most common first names in Essex County, MA among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
Mary8,47281.6 years
John7,48974.7 years
Joseph4,93075.4 years
William4,75275.0 years
James3,47073.9 years
George3,40075.5 years
Helen3,35481.4 years
Robert3,22270.2 years
Margaret3,11781.2 years
Charles3,01775.8 years
Most common last names in Essex County, MA among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Smith1,35678.1 years
Brown94677.7 years
Murphy93177.2 years
Sullivan81578.2 years
Johnson78277.9 years
Mccarthy53977.0 years
White53077.1 years
Anderson50677.3 years
Martin50675.7 years
Obrien50476.6 years
Businesses in Essex County, MA
NameCountNameCount
7-Eleven21JCPenney1
ALDO2JoS. A. Bank2
AT&T9Jones New York12
Abercrombie & Fitch1Journeys2
Abercrombie Kids1Justice3
Ace Hardware7KFC6
Advance Auto Parts5Kmart2
Aeropostale2Knights Inn1
American Eagle Outfitters3Kohl's3
Ann Taylor3LA Fitness1
Apple Store1La Quinta1
Applebee's3La-Z-Boy1
Ashley Furniture3Lane Bryant1
Audi1Lane Furniture1
AutoZone5LensCrafters2
Avenue2Little Caesars Pizza4
BMW1Lowe's3
Bakers1Macy's2
Banana Republic1Marriott8
Barnes & Noble2Marshalls8
Bath & Body Works4MasterBrand Cabinets63
Bebe1Mazda1
Bed Bath & Beyond2McDonald's29
Ben & Jerry's2Men's Wearhouse5
Best Western1Motel 61
Blockbuster7Motherhood Maternity4
Brooks Brothers1New Balance12
Brookstone1New York & Co2
Budget Car Rental3Nike8
Burger King15Nissan3
CVS36Nordstrom2
Cache1Old Navy3
Casual Male XL1Olive Garden2
Catherines1Outback2
Charlotte Russe1Outback Steakhouse2
Chevrolet7Pac Sun2
Chick-Fil-A1Panera Bread5
Chico's2Payless9
Chipotle3Penske8
Circle K7PetSmart3
Clarks1Pier 1 Imports2
ColorTyme2Pizza Hut2
Comfort Inn1Pottery Barn1
Comfort Suites1Qdoba Mexican Grill2
Costco1Quiznos1
Curves4RadioShack13
DHL6Red Roof Inn1
Dairy Queen5Rite Aid17
Days Hotel1Rue211
Days Inn1Ryder Rental & Truck Leasing1
Deb2SONIC Drive-In1
Decora Cabinetry12Sears6
Dennys2Sephora1
Domino's Pizza5Shaw's8
DressBarn1Skechers USA2
Dressbarn1Spencer Gifts2
Dunkin Donuts129Sprint Nextel11
Express1Staples6
Extended Stay America1Starbucks16
Famous Footwear3Stop & Shop12
Fashion Bug3Subaru1
FedEx105Subway19
Finish Line2T-Mobile22
Firestone Complete Auto Care2T.G.I. Driday's2
Foot Locker2T.J.Maxx6
Ford6Taco Bell7
Forever 212Talbots3
GNC15Target5
GameStop13The Cheesecake Factory1
Gap4The Room Place1
Goodwill2Toyota3
Gymboree2Toys"R"Us4
H&M2Trader Joe's2
H&R Block20True Value12
Haagen-Dazs1U-Haul21
Hilton2UPS110
Holiday Inn5Verizon Wireless8
Hollister Co.2Victoria's Secret3
Home Depot5Volkswagen2
Homestead Studio Suites1Walgreens19
Honda3Walmart4
Hot Topic1Wendy's12
Hyundai2Wet Seal3
IHOP2Whole Foods Market2
J. Jill2YMCA19
J.Crew1

Essex County on our top lists:

  • #21 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents that keep firearms around their homes"
  • #21 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Orthodox adherents"
  • #21 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Orthodox adherents (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #23 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest carbon monoxide air pollution readings in 2012 (ppm)"
  • #30 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic adherents"
  • #30 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic adherents (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #36 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Orthodox congregations (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #38 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Orthodox congregations"
  • #54 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest number of infant deaths per 1000 residents 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #55 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic congregations"
  • #56 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic congregations (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #60 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Mainline Protestant congregations"
  • #60 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Mainline Protestant congregations (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #66 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents that visited a dentist within the past year"
  • #66 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Nitrogen Dioxide air pollution readings in 2012 (ppm)"
  • #77 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest increase in the number of infant deaths per 1000 residents 2000-2006 to 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #85 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest surface withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #87 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest average weight of females"
  • #90 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest surface withdrawal of fresh water for public supply"
  • #100 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Other congregations (pop. 50,000+)"