Essex County Demographics

A map of Essex County's Population by Race

Essex County, Massachusetts had a population of 809,829 in 2020. It was 66.2% White, 3.3% Black, 3.6% Asian, 22.6% Hispanic, 1.0% Native American/Other, and 3.3% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Essex County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Essex County is the 3rd most populous county of the 14 counties in Massachusetts.

Essex County's White Population

536,424 residents of Essex County identify as White, or 66.2%. This makes the White share of the population of Essex County roughly similar to the White share of the population of Massachusetts (67.6% White). Of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, Essex County is ranked #12 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Essex County is more White than neighboring Suffolk County (44.2% White). Essex County is less White than neighboring Rockingham County (90.1% White), Middlesex County (66.5% White), Norfolk County (70.6% White), and Plymouth County (76.7% White).

Essex County's Black Population

27,081 residents of Essex County identify as Black, or 3.3%. This makes the Black share of the population of Essex County roughly similar to the Black share of the population of Massachusetts (6.5% Black). Of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, Essex County is ranked #10 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Essex County is more Black than neighboring Rockingham County (0.7% Black). Essex County is less Black than neighboring Suffolk County (17% Black), Middlesex County (5% Black), Norfolk County (6.8% Black), and Plymouth County (8.2% Black).

Essex County's Asian Population

29,302 residents of Essex County identify as Asian, or 3.6%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Essex County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of Massachusetts (7.2% Asian). Of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, Essex County is ranked #6 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Essex County is more Asian than neighboring Rockingham County (2% Asian), and Plymouth County (1.4% Asian). Essex County is less Asian than neighboring Suffolk County (10.1% Asian), Middlesex County (12.8% Asian), and Norfolk County (12.2% Asian).

Essex County's Hispanic Population

182,847 residents of Essex County identify as Hispanic, or 22.6%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Essex County slightly larger than the Hispanic share of the population of Massachusetts (12.6% Hispanic). Of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, Essex County is ranked #2 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Essex County is more Hispanic than neighboring Suffolk County (22.4% Hispanic), Rockingham County (3.3% Hispanic), Middlesex County (8.8% Hispanic), Norfolk County (5.2% Hispanic), and Plymouth County (4.5% Hispanic).

Essex County's Native American/Other Population

7,700 residents of Essex County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 1.0%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Essex County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of Massachusetts (1.5% Native American/Other). Of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, Essex County is ranked #10 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Essex County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Rockingham County (0.5% Native American/Other). Essex County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Suffolk County (1.6% Native American/Other), Middlesex County (1.8% Native American/Other), Norfolk County (1.1% Native American/Other), and Plymouth County (2.4% Native American/Other).

Essex County's Multiracial Population

26,475 residents of Essex County identify as Multiracial, or 3.3%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Essex County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of Massachusetts (4.7% Multiracial). Of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, Essex County is ranked #13 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Essex County is less Multiracial than neighboring Suffolk County (4.7% Multiracial), Rockingham County (3.5% Multiracial), Middlesex County (5% Multiracial), Norfolk County (4.1% Multiracial), and Plymouth County (6.8% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.