Essex
Massachusetts

What stands out

What stands out about Essex County: the uninsured rate is among the lowest in America (3.7%), the median home price is in the top 2% of American counties ($730K), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 2% of American counties ($1,704 a month). Within Massachusetts it ranks 10th of 14 counties for the uninsured rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Essex County, Massachusetts. 806,103 people live here with you. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -3,691).

Massachusetts has a flat 5% income tax plus a 4% surtax on income above about $1 million, an estate tax that begins at $2 million, and some of the highest home prices in the country inside Route 128. It does not tax Social Security. Health insurance coverage is the highest of any state, a legacy of the 2006 reform that preceded the federal law.

Money

The typical household here brings in $94,378 a year, higher than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $75,548. Unemployment runs 3.9%, higher than 68% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 25 minutes each way.

Massachusetts takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,719 a year.

Home

The median home costs $730K, pricier than 98% of American counties, about 4.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,704 a month. Property tax is 1.14% of home value, roughly $6,099 a year on that median home, higher than 69% of American counties. 64% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.9 per 1,000 residents, lower than 95% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 22 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.7 years, longer than 89% of American counties. There are 2,034 active physicians in the county, about 25.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 3.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.24 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 72% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 15 points. 75% of eligible voters turned out. Under Massachusetts law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 49°F, highs near 59 and lows near 40, colder than 78% of American counties. About 37 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 94 out of 100, riskier than 94% of American counties; the county has had 40 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 282 Mbps down, faster than 90% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 12 breweries, 53 museums, 2 National Park Service sites.