Essex County Demographics

A map of Essex County's Population by Race

Essex County, New Jersey had a population of 863,728 in 2020. It was 27.2% White, 37.5% Black, 5.4% Asian, 24.4% Hispanic, 1.6% Native American/Other, and 3.9% 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 2nd most populous county of the 21 counties in New Jersey.

Essex County's White Population

235,125 residents of Essex County identify as White, or 27.2%. This makes the White share of the population of Essex County considerably less than the White share of the population of New Jersey (51.9% White). Of the 21 counties in New Jersey, Essex County is ranked #21 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Essex County is less White than neighboring Union County (36.7% White), Hudson County (28.5% White), Bergen County (53.6% White), Richmond County (56.1% White), and Passaic County (38.8% White).

Essex County's Black Population

324,081 residents of Essex County identify as Black, or 37.5%. This makes the Black share of the population of Essex County considerably larger than the Black share of the population of New Jersey (12.4% Black). Of the 21 counties in New Jersey, Essex County is ranked #1 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Essex County is more Black than neighboring Union County (19.5% Black), Hudson County (9.8% Black), Bergen County (5.2% Black), Richmond County (9.4% Black), and Passaic County (9.9% Black).

Essex County's Asian Population

46,957 residents of Essex County identify as Asian, or 5.4%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Essex County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of New Jersey (10.2% Asian). Of the 21 counties in New Jersey, Essex County is ranked #13 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Essex County is less Asian than neighboring Union County (5.6% Asian), Hudson County (17% Asian), Bergen County (16.5% Asian), Richmond County (11.9% Asian), and Passaic County (5.8% Asian).

Essex County's Hispanic Population

210,353 residents of Essex County identify as Hispanic, or 24.4%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Essex County roughly similar to the Hispanic share of the population of New Jersey (21.6% Hispanic). Of the 21 counties in New Jersey, Essex County is ranked #5 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Essex County is more Hispanic than neighboring Bergen County (21.4% Hispanic), and Richmond County (19.6% Hispanic). Essex County is less Hispanic than neighboring Union County (34% Hispanic), Hudson County (40.4% Hispanic), and Passaic County (42.7% Hispanic).

Essex County's Native American/Other Population

13,485 residents of Essex County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 1.6%. 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 New Jersey (0.9% Native American/Other). Of the 21 counties in New Jersey, Essex County is ranked #1 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Essex County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Union County (1.2% Native American/Other), Hudson County (1.5% Native American/Other), Bergen County (0.8% Native American/Other), Richmond County (0.8% Native American/Other), and Passaic County (0.8% Native American/Other).

Essex County's Multiracial Population

33,727 residents of Essex County identify as Multiracial, or 3.9%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Essex County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of New Jersey (3.1% Multiracial). Of the 21 counties in New Jersey, Essex County is ranked #4 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Essex County is more Multiracial than neighboring Union County (3% Multiracial), Hudson County (2.8% Multiracial), Bergen County (2.5% Multiracial), Richmond County (2.3% Multiracial), and Passaic County (2% Multiracial).

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