Lynn
RANK #757 / 996 NAT · #10 / 12 MA · POP 806,103
1YR FORECAST: +0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
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.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.9x — 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.
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 996 counties.
At 23/100, Essex County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $94,378 combined with job growth of +0.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Essex County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $535,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.18 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,580/month on average.
Population and employment in Essex County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs +0.6%. Home values shifted +1.9% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.29% 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.