Essex, Maryland Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Essex, Maryland is 40,670 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 25th-largest city in Maryland. The median household income is $67,082, the median home value is $253,500, and the median age is 40.9.
40,670
Population
4392
People / sq mi
$67,082
Median Income
$253,500
Median Home Value
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Essex covers 9.3 sq mi of land at 4392 people per square mile.
About Essex, MD
Educational attainment is the headline number in Essex: 19.0% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. With 40,670 residents, Essex is a city in Maryland. It ranks #25 among cities in Maryland by population.
Median household income is $67,082, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 9.1%, below the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $253,500, with typical rent around $1,307.
College attainment is 19.0%, below the national 35.0%. Most workers commute: only 6.6% work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 30 minutes each way.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 54.8% |
| Black or African American | 33.6% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$67,082
Median Household Income
$36,457
Per Capita Income
9.1%
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$253,500
Median Home Value
$1,307
Median Rent
57.6%
Owner-Occupied
Education
85.9%
High School+
19.0%
Bachelor's+
Commute
6.3%
Drive Alone
71.7%
Public Transit
6.6%
Work From Home
30.3 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
17.0%
Foreign Born
88.8%
Non-English at Home
6.8%
Veterans
14.7%
With Disability
94.0%
Health Insurance
92.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 24.8% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 8.7% |
| Retail Trade | 8.5% |
| Public Administration | 8.2% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 8.1% |
| Information | 7.8% |
| Construction | 7.5% |
| Manufacturing | 6.7% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.0% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.4% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.1% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Essex, Maryland has a population of 40,670 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 25th-largest city in Maryland.
The median household income in Essex, Maryland is $67,082, with 9.1% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Essex, Maryland is $253,500, with median monthly rent at $1,307 and a homeownership rate of 57.6%.
The median age in Essex, Maryland is 40.9 years. The population is 46.7% male and 53.3% female.
Where to stay in Essex
Visiting or relocating to Essex, MD? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Population, race, income, age, and trends across Maryland
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.