RANK #190 / 996 · POP 853,374 · NJ
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.1%
Branch Brook Park in Newark, home to the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States, offers a distinctive landmark within Essex County. Located in northeastern New Jersey, the county is part of the New York metropolitan area. Many towns, such as Montclair, Maplewood, and South Orange, offer direct train service to Manhattan, with commutes ranging from 30 to 45 minutes. The county features a mix of urban centers and affluent suburbs, with diverse communities and a significant park system, including the South Mountain Reservation.
Life in Essex County offers varied experiences, from the urban energy of Newark to the suburban comfort of towns like Bloomfield and West Orange. The county's public schools are generally above average, with 90% of K-12 students attending them. The economy is diverse, with growth in sectors like financial activities, healthcare, and professional and business services. Major employers include institutions in financial services, logistics, and technology.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Newark Energy Center
Brookfield Asset Management (operated by Hartree Partners LP)
|
$700M | Operating |
|
NJ Hospital Site Redevelopment
Unknown
|
$350M | Under Construction |
|
Lionsgate Newark Studio
Lionsgate/Great Point Studios
|
$125M | Under Construction |
|
Essex County Solar Portfolio (multiple projects)
Various (e.g., Dimension Energy LLC)
|
$50M | Operating/Under Construction |
|
DataBank - Downtown Newark
DataBank
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Essex County has a Boom Town Index score of 81/100, ranking #190 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.2% and a median household income of $73,785, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Essex County is $466,500 with median rent at $1,404/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1582, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.2%. Home values changed +3.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.47% of Essex County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.