Essex County: Demographics & People
Essex County is home to 10,623 people, in 4,447 households. Median age 47.1 years. (9.3y older than Virginia). Population is 37% Black and 5% Hispanic or Latino. County is gaining 166 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 44% adult obesity, 21% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 73 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 10,623; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 10,623 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 2,193 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 47.1y is 8.2 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 10,623 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 1,900 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 1,707.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 4,440.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 2,576 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 17.9% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 16.1% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 41.8% |
| Median age | 47.1 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 10,623 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 10,623 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 5,819 |
| Black residents | 3,941 |
| Asian residents | 107 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 11 |
| Census Demographics · Nhpi | 62 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 141 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 542 |
| Diversity Index | 55.9% |
| Asian population | 1.0% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 37.1% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 4.6% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 10.9% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 10,623 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 10,185 |
| Residents born in this state | 7,641 |
| Residents born in another state | 2,385 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 1,154 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 184 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 159 |
| Foreign-born residents | 10.9% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
4,447 households.
| Family households | 2,485 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 4,447 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is gaining 166 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 9,821 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 9,655 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 166 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2022-2023
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Census Disability · Total Pop | 10,551 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 1,816 |
| Pct With Disability | 17.2% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 0 residents live in group quarters.
| Census Group Quarters · Total | 116 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 10,489 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 9,613 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 281 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 458 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 108 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 29 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 876 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 8.3% |
| Pct White | 54.8% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29