Essex, MD Demographics

A map of Essex's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	22,215	21,129	54.7%	52.2%
Black	11,866	12,613	29.2%	31.1%
Multiracial	2,812	2,187	6.9%	5.4%
Hispanic	2,523	3,245	6.2%	8.0%
Asian	603	852	1.5%	2.1%
Native American/Other	561	479	1.4%	1.2%

Essex, Maryland has an estimated population of 40,580, a less than 1% change from the 40,505 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 54.7% White, 29.2% Black, 6.9% Multiracial, 6.2% Hispanic, 1.5% Asian, and 1.4% 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 less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Maryland 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 62.1% in 2020 and 60.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Essex is ranked the 25th most populous place in Maryland, out of 536 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 25th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Essex's White Population

22,215 residents of Essex, or 54.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Essex is higher than in Maryland overall, where 46.6% of the population is White. Essex ranks 368th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex's White population has grown by an estimated 5.1%. White residents' share of Essex's population has increased from 52.2% to 54.7%.

Essex is more White than neighboring Middle River (48% White), Rossville (34.4% White), and Rosedale (40.1% White). Essex is less White than neighboring Bowleys Quarters (62.4% White), and Dundalk (61.7% White).

Essex's Black Population

11,866 residents of Essex, or 29.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Essex is comparable to the share in Maryland overall, where 28.9% of the population is Black. Essex ranks 114th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex's Black population has declined by an estimated 5.9%. Black residents' share of Essex's population has decreased from 31.1% to 29.2%.

Essex is more Black than neighboring Bowleys Quarters (20.3% Black), and Dundalk (16.2% Black). Essex is less Black than neighboring Middle River (33.9% Black), Rossville (49.6% Black), and Rosedale (40.3% Black).

Essex's Asian Population

603 residents of Essex, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Essex is slightly lower than in Maryland overall, where 6.5% of the population is Asian. Essex ranks 229th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex's Asian population has declined by an estimated 29.2%. Asian residents' share of Essex's population has decreased from 2.1% to 1.5%.

Essex is less Asian than neighboring Middle River (7.4% Asian), Bowleys Quarters (4.5% Asian), Dundalk (2% Asian), Rossville (8.1% Asian), and Rosedale (5.3% Asian).

Essex's Hispanic Population

2,523 residents of Essex, or 6.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Essex is lower than in Maryland overall, where 12.5% of the population is Hispanic. Essex ranks 172nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 22.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Essex's population has decreased from 8.0% to 6.2%.

Essex is more Hispanic than neighboring Middle River (4.6% Hispanic), and Rossville (3.7% Hispanic). Essex is less Hispanic than neighboring Bowleys Quarters (9.1% Hispanic), Dundalk (13.9% Hispanic), and Rosedale (10.4% Hispanic).

Essex's Native American/Other Population

561 residents of Essex, or 1.4% 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 Maryland overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Essex ranks 65th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 17.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Essex's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.4%.

Essex is more Native American/Other than neighboring Middle River (0.3% Native American/Other), Bowleys Quarters (0.3% Native American/Other), Dundalk (1% Native American/Other), Rossville (1.3% Native American/Other), and Rosedale (0.5% Native American/Other).

Essex's Multiracial Population

2,812 residents of Essex, or 6.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Essex is slightly higher than in Maryland overall, where 4.6% of the population is Multiracial. Essex ranks 130th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Essex's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 28.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Essex's population has increased from 5.4% to 6.9%.

Essex is more Multiracial than neighboring Middle River (5.9% Multiracial), Bowleys Quarters (3.5% Multiracial), Dundalk (5.2% Multiracial), Rossville (2.9% Multiracial), and Rosedale (3.3% 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.