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Essex County, Virginia (VA)



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County population in July 2007: 10,862 (20% urban, 80% rural)
County owner-occupied houses and condos: 3,086
Renter-occupied apartments: 909
% of renters here:  23%
State:  32%
Land area: 258 sq. mi.
Water area: 28.1 sq. mi.
Population density: 42 people per square mile 
 
 (average).

2008 cost of living index in Essex County: 84.4 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

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Industries providing employment: Educational,health and social services (19.7%), Manufacturing (14.7%), Retail trade (11.7%), Construction (11.0%).

Type of workers:

  • Private wage or salary: 73%
  • Government: 20%
  • Self-employed, not incorporated: 7%
  • Unpaid family work: 0%

Essex County, Virginia business data: stores, dealers, real estate agents, wholesalers, restaurants...

Races in Essex County, Virginia:

  • White Non-Hispanic (57.7%)
  • Black (39.0%)
  • Two or more races (1.3%)
  • American Indian (1.2%)
  • Hispanic (0.7%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Median resident age:  40.3 years
Virginia median age:  35.7 years

Males: 4,730  (47.4%)
Females: 5,259  (52.6%)
Average wage per job in 2003: $22,211
County population in 2003: 10,305
Jobs in 2003: 4,107

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Total labor force in 2004: 5,326
Unemployment rate in 2004: 4.2%

Average household size:
Essex County:  2.5 people
Virginia:  2.5 people

Estimated median household income in 2007: $47,717 ($37,395 in 1999)
This county:  $47,717
Virginia:  $59,562

2007 median house/condo value: $200,987 ($98,700 in 2000)
Essex County:  $200,987
Virginia:  $262,100

Median contract rent in 2007 for apartments: $585 (lower quartile is $437, upper quartile is $742)
This county:  $585
State:  $753


Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $192,337 (it was $91,100 in 2000)
Essex County:  $192,337
Virginia:  $262,100
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $107,788 - $338,219

Mean price in 2007:
Detached houses: $272,596
Here:  $272,596
State:  $357,398

Townhouses or other attached units: $1,135,736
Here:  $1,135,736
State:  $371,438

In 5-or-more-unit structures: $453,782
Here:  $453,782
State:  $316,638

Mobile homes: $42,166
Here:  $42,166
State:  $37,843
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,441
Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $259

Institutionalized population: 143


Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 0
  • Rapes: 0
  • Robberies: 0
  • Assaults: 13
  • Burglaries: 25
  • Thefts: 54
  • Auto thefts: 12

Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 0
  • Rapes: 0
  • Robberies: 0
  • Assaults: 3
  • Burglaries: 6
  • Thefts: 44
  • Auto thefts: 7

Essex County races chart


Essex County, VA map from a distance

Single-family new house construction building permits:
  • 2000: 41 buildings, average cost: $140,400
  • 2001: 57 buildings, average cost: $94,200
  • 2002: 50 buildings, average cost: $109,200
  • 2003: 76 buildings, average cost: $138,700
  • 2004: 110 buildings, average cost: $130,800

Number of permits per 10,000 residents


Average cost (in 1000s)




2004 Presidential Election results in Essex County Virginia:


Bush/Cheney (Republican): 53.0%
Kerry/Edwards (Democratic): 46.2%




Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: $535 (0.6%)

Essex County household income distribution in 2007 Essex County home values distribution


Essex County contract rent distribution in 2007

Residents with income below the poverty level in 2007:
This county:  11.2%
Whole state:  9.6%

Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2007:
This county:  4.8%
Whole state:  4.3%

Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Essex County is $479 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $590 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $803 a month.

Cities in this county include: Tappahannock.

Neighboring counties: Caroline County , King and Queen County , King George County , Middlesex County , Richmond County , Westmoreland County .


Essex County close-up map

Click to draw/clear county borders

Notable locations in this county outside city limits:

Notable locations in Essex County: Gram Landing (A), Malvale Farm (B), Mose Landing (C), Mount Pleasant Landing (D), Baird Landing (E), Baker Landing (F), Bakers Landing (G), Persimmon Tree Landing (H), Hickory Landing (I), Daingerfield Landing (J), Bowlers Wharf (K), Saunders Wharf (L), Salt Bank Landing (M), Laytons Landing (N), Marry Gold Plantation (O), Lindsay Hall Farm (P), Garretts Landing (Q), Supply (R). Display/hide their locations on the map

Churches in Essex County include: Rappahannock Church (A), Angel Visit Church (B), Antioch Church (C), Rock Of Ages Church (D), Saint Johns Church (E), Good Hope Church (F), Grace Mission Church (G), Beulah Church (H), Trinity Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Cemeteries: Rappahannock Cemetery (1), Hermon Cemetery (2), Vauters Churchyard (3), Upper Essex Cemetery (4). Display/hide their locations on the map

Lakes, reservoirs, and swamps: Jones Millpond (A), Hunters Millpond (B), Cheatwood Millpond (C), Cheatswood Millpond (D), Spindle Pond (E), Spindles Millpond (F), Rose Hill Pond (G), Cedar Creek Pond (H). Display/hide their locations on the map

Streams, rivers, and creeks: Mount Landing Creek (A), Poplar Swamp (B), Quioccasin Creek (C), Harry Lane Swamp (D), Handpole Creek (E), Rouzie Swamp (F), Mariners Branch (G), Farmers Hall Creek (H), Exol Swamp (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Beach: Wildwood Beach (A). Display/hide its location on the map

 
Unemployment in September 2007:
Here:  3.4%
Virginia:  2.8%


Unemployment by year (%)


County total employment by year


County average yearly wages by year ($)


Current college students: 311
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 73.5%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 17.4%

Number of foreign born residents: 140 (48% naturalized citizens)

Essex County:  1.4%
Whole state:  8.1%

Year of entry for the foreign-born population
  • 1995 to March 2000: 24
  • 1990 to 1994: 23
  • 1985 to 1989: 34
  • 1980 to 1984: 7
  • 1975 to 1979: 4
  • 1970 to 1974: 18
  • 1970 to 1974: 1
  • 1965 to 1969: 29


Mean travel time to work: 33.5 minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 52.5%

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

Housing units in structures:

  • One, detached: 3,747
  • One, attached: 74
  • Two: 46
  • 3 or 4: 79
  • 5 to 9: 81
  • 10 to 19: 44
  • 20 or more: 92
  • Mobile homes: 763

Housing units in Essex County with a mortgage: 1,148 (82 second mortgage, 79 home equity loan, 2 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 1,002

Here:  53.4% with mortgage
State:  75.1% with mortgage

Agriculture in Essex County
Average size of farms: 459 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $63759
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $228.40
The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 7.52%
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 4.76%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $64744
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 57.95%
Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 0.73%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $100335
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 90.55%
Average age of principal farm operators: 53 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 2.11
Corn for grain: 14342 harvested acres
All wheat for grain: 7487 harvested acres
Soybeans for beans: 17882 harvested acres
Vegetables: 20 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 56 acres

Essex County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Virginia state average. It is 4.3 times below overall U.S. average.



Class of Workers



Most common industries for males:



  • Construction (21%)
  • Public administration (8%)
  • Educational services (5%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (4%)
  • Administrative and support and waste management services (4%)
  • Transportation equipment (3%)
  • Finance and insurance (3%)


Most common industries for females:



  • Educational services (16%)
  • Health care (15%)
  • Public administration (8%)
  • Finance and insurance (8%)
  • Accommodation and food services (7%)
  • Transportation equipment (4%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (3%)


Most common occupations for males



  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (7%)
  • Other production occupations including supervisors (7%)
  • Construction trades workers except carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, and construction laborers (6%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations including supervisors (6%)
  • Other management occupations except farmers and farm managers (5%)
  • Other sales and related workers including supervisors (5%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4%)


Most common occupations for females



  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (8%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers (8%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers including supervisors (6%)
  • Cashiers (5%)
  • Information and record clerks except customer service representatives (3%)
  • Other production occupations including supervisors (3%)
  • Other financial specialists (3%)


Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents:



  • India (16%)
  • Japan (15%)
  • Philippines (12%)
  • Other Northern Europe (10%)
  • Canada (7%)
  • France (6%)
  • United Kingdom (5%)


Most common first ancestries reported in Essex County:



  • United States or American (19%)
  • English (15%)
  • Irish (4%)
  • German (4%)
  • Italian (3%)
  • Scotch-Irish (2%)
  • Scottish (1%)

Essex County mode of transportation to work chart

Means of transportation to work

  • Drove a car alone: 3,673 (77%)
  • Carpooled: 722 (15%)
  • Bus or trolley bus: 33 (1%)
  • Subway or elevated: 15 (0%)
  • Railroad: 5 (0%)
  • Walked: 111 (2%)
  • Other means: 120 (3%)
  • Worked at home: 92 (2%)


Owners and renters by unit type in %



Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders


People in group quarters in Essex County, Virginia
  • 143 people in nursing homes
  • 14 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 3 people in homes for the mentally retarded

Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2005 was $42,739.

8.08% of this county's 2006 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2005 ($43,042 average adjusted gross income)

Here:  8.08%
Virginia average:  11.06%

10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
6.45% relocated from other counties in Virginia ($35,312 average AGI)
1.63% relocated from other states ($7,733 average AGI)
Essex County:  1.63%
Virginia average:  4.24%



Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries


Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2005 and 2006:
from Richmond County, VA  0.98% ($36,171 average AGI)
from Westmoreland County, VA  0.53% ($36,182)
from Henrico County, VA  0.50% ($31,143)
from King and Queen County, VA  0.50% ($26,714)
from Hanover County, VA  0.34% ($66,357)
from Spotsylvania County, VA  0.31% ($42,000)
from King George County, VA  0.29% ($43,250)


6.76% of this county's 2005 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2006 ($32,432 average adjusted gross income)

Here:  6.76%
Virginia average:  10.78%

10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
5.23% relocated to other counties in Virginia ($24,237 average AGI)
1.53% relocated to other states ($8,194 average AGI)
Essex County:  1.53%
Virginia average:  4.13%



Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries


Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2005 and 2006:
to Richmond County, VA  0.63% ($26,885 average AGI)
to Henrico County, VA  0.56% ($32,174)
to Westmoreland County, VA  0.44% ($46,000)
to Hanover County, VA  0.34% ($46,714)
to King and Queen County, VA  0.32% ($27,000)
to King William County, VA  0.27% ($27,182)
to Caroline County, VA  0.24% ($27,200)

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 12.2
Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2003: 11.4



Births per 1000 population in Essex County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 12.3
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2003: 13.1



Deaths per 1000 population in Essex County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 11.5
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2003: 12.6



Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Essex County

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 1,845 (1,554 aged, 291 disabled)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 14%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 10%

Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 9.67
Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 20263.08
Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 270.820
Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 184495.6

General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1382.010
Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1591.690
Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 9.53

Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 87.65
Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 104.840

Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 28.59


Household type by relationship


Households: 9,828
  • In family households: 8,332 (2,025 male householders, 742 female householders)
    2,144 spouses, 2,680 children (2,465 natural, 32 adopted, 183 stepchildren), 293 grandchildren, 71 brothers or sisters, 76 parents, 92 other relatives, 209 non-relatives
  • In nonfamily households: 1,496 (574 male householders (446 living alone)), 640 female householders (583 living alone)), 282 nonrelatives
  • In group quarters: 161 (all institutionalized)

Size of family households: 1,264 2-persons, 669 3-persons, 523 4-persons, 200 5-persons, 69 6-persons, 42 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 1,029 1-person, 143 2-persons, 26 3-persons, 16 4-persons.

96.9% of residents of Essex County speak English at home.
1.2% of residents speak Spanish at home (58% speak English very well, 35% speak English well, 7% speak English not well).
1.1% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (66% speak English very well, 31% speak English well, 3% speak English not well).
0.8% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (59% speak English very well, 33% speak English well, 8% speak English not well).
0.1% of residents speak other language at home (40% speak English well, 60% speak English not well).

In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $101,815,000 ($9848 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $35,185,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $30,913,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $17,561,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $5,420,000
Federal grants: $12,577,000
Federal procurement contracts: $33,815,000 ($33,437,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $1,530,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $1,240,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $3,889,000
Federal Government insurance: $36,369,000

Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 614
Here:  59 per 1000 residents
State:  70 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 666
Here:  63 per 1000 residents
State:  40 per 1000 residents

Net international migration: +23
Here:  +2 per 1000 residents
State:  +18 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: +553
Here:  +53 per 1000 residents
State:  +14 per 1000 residents



Population growth in Essex County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 0.41 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:  6.1
State:  6.6

Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:  4.9
State:  4.3



Year house built:

  • 1999 to March 2000: 115
  • 1995 to 1998: 412
  • 1990 to 1994: 596
  • 1980 to 1989: 701
  • 1970 to 1979: 1,015
  • 1960 to 1969: 633
  • 1950 to 1959: 387
  • 1940 to 1949: 288
  • 1939 or earlier: 779

Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Essex County, Virginia:
  • 1 room: 0
  • 2 rooms: 0
  • 3 rooms: 74
  • 4 rooms: 267
  • 5 rooms: 742
  • 6 rooms: 766
  • 7 rooms: 615
  • 8 rooms: 321
  • 9+ rooms: 301


Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Essex County, Virginia:
  • 1 room: 9
  • 2 rooms: 15
  • 3 rooms: 97
  • 4 rooms: 243
  • 5 rooms: 205
  • 6 rooms: 193
  • 7 rooms: 56
  • 8 rooms: 63
  • 9+ rooms: 28


Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses and condos in Essex County:
  • no bedroom: 4
  • 1 bedroom: 36
  • 2 bedrooms: 607
  • 3 bedrooms: 1,909
  • 4 bedrooms: 436
  • 5+ bedrooms: 94


Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Essex County:
  • no bedroom: 9
  • 1 bedroom: 117
  • 2 bedrooms: 359
  • 3 bedrooms: 362
  • 4 bedrooms: 53
  • 5+ bedrooms: 9


Cars and other vehicles available in Essex County in owner-occupied houses/condos:
  • no vehicle: 187
  • 1 vehicle: 765
  • 2 vehicles: 1,179
  • 3 vehicles: 648
  • 4 vehicles: 223
  • 5+ vehicles: 84


Cars and other vehicles available in Essex County in renter-occupied apartments
  • no vehicle: 75
  • 1 vehicle: 397
  • 2 vehicles: 314
  • 3 vehicles: 101
  • 4 vehicles: 22
  • 5+ vehicles: 0


63% of Essex County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago.
   Out of people who lived in different houses, 49% lived in this county.
   Out of people who lived in different counties, 78% lived in Virginia.

Essex County:  63.2%
State average:  53.8%


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

  • This state: 7972
  • Northeast: 531
  • Midwest: 156
  • South: 1092
  • West: 78

Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $127,500


Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 3%

Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 3%


Year Householders Moved Into Unit:

 


Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos:
  • Electricity (49.4%)
  • Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (31.9%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (12.4%)
  • Wood (4.5%)
  • Utility gas (1.4%)


Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments:
  • Electricity (59.0%)
  • Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (24.3%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (9.6%)
  • Wood (5.7%)
  • Utility gas (1.4%)



Private vs. public school enrollment:
Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 150
Here:  11.8%
Virginia:  9.5%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 35
Here:  6.7%
Virginia:  8.2%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 29
Here:  11.5%
Virginia:  20.6%


Educational Attainment


School Enrollment by Level of School



Age and Sex of Sensory-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)


Age and Sex of Physically-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)



Age and Sex of Mentally-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)


Age and Sex of Self-Care Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)



Age and Sex of Go-Outside-Home Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)


Age and Sex of Residents with Employment Disability (Noninst.)

Essex County government finances in 2002:
  • Charges - Elementary & Secondary Education School Lunch: $174,000
    Parks & Recreation: $16,000
    Elementary & Secondary Education School Tuition: $8,000
  • Construction - Elementary & Secondary Education: $455,000
    Air Transportation: $68,000
  • Current Operations - Elementary & Secondary Education: $13,033,000
    Welfare - Other: $1,052,000
    Solid Waste Management: $915,000
    Corrections - Other: $904,000
    Police Protection: $712,000
    Financial Administration: $670,000
    Central Staff Services: $624,000
    Judicial and Legal Services: $570,000
    General Public Buildings: $242,000
    Parks & Recreation: $155,000
    Housing & Community Development: $147,000
    Protective Inspection and Regulation, NEC: $113,000
    Libraries: $110,000
    Fire Protection: $96,000
    Air Transportation: $82,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $14,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - Education: $57,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $576,000
  • Long Term Debt Beginning Outstanding, Education, NEC: $7,318,000
  • Long Term Debt Beginning Outstanding, NEC: $2,289,000
  • Long Term Debt Issue, Unspecified - Elementary and Secondary Education: $4,365,000
    Other NEC: $25,000
  • Long Term Debt Outstanding Nonguaranteed - Elementary and Secondary Education: $6,819,000
    Other, NEC: $2,197,000
  • Long Term Debt Retired Unspecified - Elementary and Secondary Education: $4,864,000
    Other, NEC: $117,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue, NEC: $189,000
    Interest Earnings: $19,000
  • Sinking Fund - Cash & Deposits: $221,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Education: $6,352,000
    All Other: $2,083,000
    Public Welfare: $770,000
    General Support: $231,000
    Housing & Community Development: $142,000
  • Tax - Property: $5,692,000
    Total General Sales: $1,600,000
    Public Utilities: $350,000
    Motor Vehicle License: $200,000
  • Total Salaries & Wages: $9,929,000
  • Water Utilities - Interest on Debt: $0


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Total Number Of Recipients


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of aged recipients


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of blind and disabled recipients


Supplemental Securit