Essex County Demographics

A map of Essex County's Population by Race

Essex County, New Jersey has an estimated population of 863,002, a less than 1% change from the 863,728 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 35.4% Black, 27.3% White, 25.2% Hispanic, 6.0% Asian, 4.6% Multiracial, and 1.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Essex County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Essex has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than New Jersey overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Essex County, that probability was 72.1% in 2020 and 73.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Essex County is ranked the 3rd most populous county in New Jersey, out of 21 counties. Essex County was ranked the 2nd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Essex County's White Population

235,410 residents of Essex County, or 27.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Essex County is significantly lower than in New Jersey overall, where 50.9% of the population is White. Essex County ranks 21st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 21 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Essex County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 27.3%.

Essex County is less White than neighboring Union County (35.4% White), Bergen County (51.3% White), Richmond County (55.5% White), and Passaic County (37.9% White).

Essex County's Black Population

305,762 residents of Essex County, or 35.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Essex County is significantly higher than in New Jersey overall, where 12.2% of the population is Black. Essex County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 21 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex County's Black population has declined by an estimated 5.7%. Black residents' share of Essex County's population has decreased from 37.5% to 35.4%.

Essex County is more Black than neighboring Union County (19.1% Black), Hudson County (10.7% Black), Bergen County (5.4% Black), Richmond County (8.8% Black), and Passaic County (9.7% Black).

Essex County's Asian Population

51,429 residents of Essex County, or 6.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Essex County is slightly lower than in New Jersey overall, where 10% of the population is Asian. Essex County ranks 13th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 21 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 9.5%. Asian residents' share of Essex County's population has increased from 5.4% to 6.0%.

Essex County is more Asian than neighboring Union County (5.6% Asian), and Passaic County (5.4% Asian). Essex County is less Asian than neighboring Hudson County (16.8% Asian), Bergen County (16.8% Asian), and Richmond County (12.7% Asian).

Essex County's Hispanic Population

217,167 residents of Essex County, or 25.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Essex County is slightly higher than in New Jersey overall, where 22.5% of the population is Hispanic. Essex County ranks 5th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 21 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Essex County's population has increased from 24.4% to 25.2%.

Essex County is more Hispanic than neighboring Bergen County (22.7% Hispanic), and Richmond County (19.6% Hispanic). Essex County is less Hispanic than neighboring Union County (35.2% Hispanic), Hudson County (40.7% Hispanic), and Passaic County (44.3% Hispanic).

Essex County's Native American/Other Population

13,502 residents of Essex County, or 1.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Essex County is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Essex County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 21 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex County's Native American/Other population has remained roughly the same. Native American/Other residents' share of Essex County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Essex County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Union County (1.3% Native American/Other), Hudson County (1.2% Native American/Other), Bergen County (0.9% Native American/Other), Richmond County (0.7% Native American/Other), and Passaic County (0.6% Native American/Other).

Essex County's Multiracial Population

39,732 residents of Essex County, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Essex County is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Essex County ranks 4th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 21 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 17.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Essex County's population has increased from 3.9% to 4.6%.

Essex County is more Multiracial than neighboring Union County (3.4% Multiracial), Hudson County (3.3% Multiracial), Bergen County (2.9% Multiracial), Richmond County (2.7% Multiracial), and Passaic County (2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.