RANK #744 / 1001 NAT · #9 / 12 MA · POP 813,054
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Essex County, Massachusetts, stands out for its rich maritime history and diverse coastal communities, such as Salem, known for its historic architecture and colonial past. Located northeast of Boston, with Salem just 16 miles away, the county offers a blend of historic charm and natural beauty. Commute options to Boston include driving, which takes about 39 minutes, or taking a taxi and train, approximately a 1 hour and 9 minute journey. The region boasts extensive outdoor recreation, including the scenic Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, which links 14 coastal communities, and numerous state parks, wildlife refuges, and conservation areas like the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and Crane Beach. These areas provide opportunities for birdwatching, hiking, biking, and water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding.
Life in Essex County attracts families and individuals seeking a balance of community and access to natural amenities. The public schools in Essex County are generally above average, with Masconomet Regional High School, Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, and Lynnfield High School among the top-ranked. The economy is diverse, with growing sectors including Financial Activities, Healthcare and Social Assistance, and Professional and Business Services. Tourism also plays a role, with nearly $1.2 billion spent in the county in 2024. While most residents drive to work, public transportation options, including commuter rail and bus services, connect many towns within the county and to Boston.
Essex County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.7% runs below the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 19.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 25/100, Essex County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $101,883 combined with job growth of +0.8% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Essex County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $619,100 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.16 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,756/month on average.
Essex County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.8%). Home values shifted +1.7% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.24% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Essex County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.