Essex County Demographics

A map of Essex County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	5,653	5,871	53.2%	55.4%
Black	3,914	3,743	36.8%	35.3%
Hispanic	488	369	4.6%	3.5%
Multiracial	359	450	3.4%	4.2%
Asian	107	62	1.0%	0.6%
Native American/Other	102	104	1.0%	1.0%

Essex County, Virginia has an estimated population of 10,623, a less than 1% change from the 10,599 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 53.2% White, 36.8% Black, 4.6% Hispanic, 3.4% Multiracial, 1.0% Asian, and 1.0% 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 more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Virginia 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 56.5% in 2020 and 57.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Essex County is ranked the 115th most populous county in Virginia, out of 133 counties. Essex County was ranked the 115th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Essex County's White Population

5,653 residents of Essex County, or 53.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Essex County is lower than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Essex County ranks 101st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex County's White population has declined by an estimated 3.7%. White residents' share of Essex County's population has decreased from 55.4% to 53.2%.

Essex County is less White than neighboring Richmond County (60.1% White), Westmoreland County (62.3% White), King and Queen County (66.2% White), King William County (76.4% White), and King George County (68.8% White).

Essex County's Black Population

3,914 residents of Essex County, or 36.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Essex County is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Essex County ranks 21st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex County's Black population has grown by an estimated 4.6%. Black residents' share of Essex County's population has increased from 35.3% to 36.8%.

Essex County is more Black than neighboring Richmond County (26.8% Black), Westmoreland County (23.2% Black), King and Queen County (21.9% Black), King William County (15% Black), and King George County (14.9% Black).

Essex County's Asian Population

107 residents of Essex County, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Essex County is lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Essex County ranks 85th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 72.6%. Asian residents' share of Essex County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Essex County is more Asian than neighboring Richmond County (0.6% Asian), King and Queen County (0.1% Asian), and King William County (0.6% Asian). Essex County is less Asian than neighboring King George County (1.3% Asian).

Essex County's Hispanic Population

488 residents of Essex County, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Essex County is lower than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Essex County ranks 79th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 32.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Essex County's population has increased from 3.5% to 4.6%.

Essex County is more Hispanic than neighboring King and Queen County (3.3% Hispanic), and King William County (3.3% Hispanic). Essex County is less Hispanic than neighboring Richmond County (7.5% Hispanic), Westmoreland County (6.4% Hispanic), and King George County (6.9% Hispanic).

Essex County's Native American/Other Population

102 residents of Essex County, or 1.0% 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 Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Essex County ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 1.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Essex County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Essex County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Richmond County (0.7% Native American/Other). Essex County is less Native American/Other than neighboring King and Queen County (1.4% Native American/Other), King William County (1.4% Native American/Other), and King George County (1.6% Native American/Other).

Essex County's Multiracial Population

359 residents of Essex County, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Essex County is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Essex County ranks 54th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 20.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Essex County's population has decreased from 4.2% to 3.4%.

Essex County is more Multiracial than neighboring King William County (3.3% Multiracial). Essex County is less Multiracial than neighboring Richmond County (4.2% Multiracial), Westmoreland County (6% Multiracial), King and Queen County (7.1% Multiracial), and King George County (6.5% 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.