Essex, MA Demographics

A map of Essex's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,634	1,418	96.8%	93.5%
Asian	31	13	1.8%	0.9%
Hispanic	16	34	0.9%	2.2%
Multiracial	7	42	0.4%	2.8%
Black	0	10	0.0%	0.7%
Native American/Other	0	0	0.0%	0.0%

Essex, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 1,688, a large increase from the 1,517 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 96.8% White, 1.8% Asian, 0.9% Hispanic, 0.4% Multiracial, 0.0% Black, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Essex, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Essex has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Massachusetts overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Essex, that probability was 12.5% in 2020 and 6.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Essex is ranked the 201st most populous place in Massachusetts, out of 248 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Essex was ranked the 211th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Essex's White Population

1,634 residents of Essex, or 96.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Essex is significantly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Essex ranks 18th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex's White population has grown by an estimated 15.2%. White residents' share of Essex's population has increased from 93.5% to 96.8%.

Essex is more White than neighboring Ipswich (90.1% White), Gloucester (88.2% White), Beverly (84.3% White), Rowley (85.4% White), and Salem (66.4% White).

Essex's Black Population

0 residents of Essex, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Essex is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Essex ranks 203rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex's Black population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Essex's population has decreased from 0.7% to 0.0%.

Essex is less Black than neighboring Gloucester (1.3% Black), Beverly (2.8% Black), and Salem (4.6% Black).

Essex's Asian Population

31 residents of Essex, or 1.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Essex is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Essex ranks 196th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex's Asian population has grown by an estimated 138.5%. Asian residents' share of Essex's population has increased from 0.9% to 1.8%.

Essex is more Asian than neighboring Gloucester (1.7% Asian), Beverly (1.7% Asian), and Rowley (0% Asian). Essex is less Asian than neighboring Ipswich (3.4% Asian), and Salem (3.4% Asian).

Essex's Hispanic Population

16 residents of Essex, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Essex is considerably lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Essex ranks 212th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 52.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Essex's population has decreased from 2.2% to 0.9%.

Essex is more Hispanic than neighboring Rowley (0% Hispanic). Essex is less Hispanic than neighboring Ipswich (4% Hispanic), Gloucester (5.3% Hispanic), Beverly (6.1% Hispanic), and Salem (20.7% Hispanic).

Essex's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Essex, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Essex is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Essex ranks 242nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex's Native American/Other population has grown from 0 to an estimated 0. Native American/Other residents' share of Essex's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Essex is less Native American/Other than neighboring Gloucester (0.4% Native American/Other), Beverly (0.6% Native American/Other), and Salem (1.2% Native American/Other).

Essex's Multiracial Population

7 residents of Essex, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Essex is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Essex ranks 216th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 83.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Essex's population has decreased from 2.8% to 0.4%.

Essex is less Multiracial than neighboring Ipswich (2.5% Multiracial), Gloucester (3.1% Multiracial), Beverly (4.5% Multiracial), Rowley (14.6% Multiracial), and Salem (3.7% 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.