Essex
New Jersey

What stands out

What stands out about Essex County: homeownership is among the lowest in America (45%), the median home price is in the top 3% of American counties ($668K), and the property tax rate is in the top 3% of American counties (2.14%). Within New Jersey it ranks 2nd of 21 counties for homeownership, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Essex County, New Jersey. 853,374 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -9,874).

New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation, averaging more than $9,000 a year per home, and a graduated income tax reaching 10.75% above $1 million. It repealed its estate tax in 2018 but kept an inheritance tax on non-family heirs. Social Security is not taxed, and retirement income up to $100,000 is excluded for many couples. The whole state is within commuting range of New York or Philadelphia.

Money

The typical household here brings in $73,785 a year, higher than 81% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $88,369. Unemployment runs 4.5%, higher than 81% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 30 minutes each way.

New Jersey takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,584 a year.

Home

The median home costs $668K, pricier than 97% of American counties, about 4.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,491 a month. Property tax is 2.14% of home value, roughly $10,001 a year on that median home, higher than 97% of American counties. 45% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 74% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 31 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 77.8 years, longer than 73% of American counties. There are 3,752 active physicians in the county, about 44.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.5 of 5 stars. 13.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.18 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 65% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 47 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 67% of eligible voters turned out. Under New Jersey 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 54°F, highs near 64 and lows near 45, colder than 56% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 93 out of 100, riskier than 93% of American counties; the county has had 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 276 Mbps down, faster than 87% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries, 11 museums, 1 National Park Service site.