1st Advantage MortgageAbout 72% of Essex County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $56,520. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Who lives in Essex County
- How much Essex County households make
- How Essex County residents earn a living
- Renting and owning in Essex County
- Where Essex County differs from the rest of Virginia
- Tappahannock and the rest of Essex County
- Essex County and the counties next door
- Reading the Essex County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at Essex County's medians
- Age, degrees and coverage in Essex County
- Four steps for Essex County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Essex County residents
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Essex County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Essex County's population at 10,623; only 114 of Virginia's 133 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 257 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 41 per square mile. Metro status: none; Essex County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (1 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Tappahannock, with about 1,908 residents, or 18% of the county.
How much Essex County households make
The median household income in Essex County is $56,520; statewide it is $93,170, so Essex County runs 39% below Virginia as a whole. That places it 102nd among Virginia's 133 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Essex County | Gap to Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.9% | +13.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.7% | +6.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.4% | -6.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -12.6 pts |
Some 31% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 27% have six-figure incomes. 12.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.9%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
How Essex County residents earn a living
Top Essex County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 22%; second, manufacturing, 16%. Essex County over-indexes on manufacturing: 16% versus 7% in Virginia. The survey's unemployment rate for Essex County averages 3.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.3%). 37% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home.
| Top industries | Essex County share | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.7% | -0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.5% | +8.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.3% | +4.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.5% | -7.3 pts |
| Construction | 6.4% | -0.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.1% | +1.3 pts |
Self-employed in Essex County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Renting and owning in Essex County
Renters in Essex County pay a median of $972 a month, 38% below the Virginia figure of $1,579. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 53% in Essex County, 49% statewide. Essex County homes are worth $238,100 at the median, a 4.2-to-1 ratio to income. Owners occupy 72% of homes. The median year built is 1980.
| Measure | Essex County | Virginia | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $972/mo | $1,579/mo | 38% lower |
| Median home value | $238,100 | $383,700 | 38% lower |
| Owners | 72% | 67% | +4.4 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 49% | +4.4 pts |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 25% | +5.8 pts |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Where Essex County differs from the rest of Virginia
Ranked against the other 132 county-level areas in Virginia, these are the Essex County figures furthest from the middle.
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Essex County sits near the top of Virginia at 37%, 13th highest of 133. With long commutes, a reliable car is part of keeping the job.
- The housing vacancy rate: 23% in Essex County. Only 16 of 133 Virginia counties are higher. High vacancy often reflects seasonal or second homes.
- Essex County ranks 19th lowest of 133 Virginia counties for population: 10,623, against 8,705,170 statewide. With few local branches, online lenders and statewide credit unions widen the choice.
- On the share of adults with a bachelor's degree, Essex County sits near the bottom of Virginia at 17%, 22nd lowest of 133. No degree is required for a personal loan; documented income is.
Tappahannock and the rest of Essex County
Just one Census place, Tappahannock, lies mainly within Essex County; it holds about 1,908 people. This guide covers each of the 1 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tappahannock | town | 1,908 | $46,816 | $942 | 4 mi |
Essex County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 11 to 27 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richest neighbor: King George County, $116,884. Poorest: Westmoreland County, $63,398. Essex County: $56,520.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County | - | $56,520 | $972/mo | 72% |
| Richmond County, VA | 11 mi | $66,304 | $1,067/mo | 75% |
| Westmoreland County, VA | 14 mi | $63,398 | $1,018/mo | 80% |
| King and Queen County, VA | 15 mi | $70,469 | $1,004/mo | 76% |
| King William County, VA | 18 mi | $86,056 | $1,166/mo | 89% |
| Caroline County, VA | 24 mi | $87,407 | $1,293/mo | 82% |
| King George County, VA | 27 mi | $116,884 | $1,428/mo | 76% |
Reading the Essex County data as a borrower
- 37% long commutes. A Essex County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 13% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Age 47.1 at the median. Many Essex County applicants document income with award letters; ask about early payoff.
- Rent at $972. With 53% burdened, a short term and small amount keep risk down.
Debt-to-income at Essex County's medians
Essex County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $4,710 gross per month ($56,520 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $972, takes 21% of that
- At 40%, room after rent is $912 a month
A household below the $56,520 median has less room than this, often none.
Age, degrees and coverage in Essex County
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. Uninsured, Essex County: 8.8%; Virginia: 6.9%.
| People and households | Essex County | Compared with Virginia | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.1 | +8.1 yrs | +5.6 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.6% | -25.6 pts | -5.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 15.1% | +6.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.8% | +1.9 pts | +1.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | +0.3 pts | +1.0 pts |
| Work from home | 10.6% | -7.7 pts | +1.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.3% | +2.4 pts | -0.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.9% | -0.4 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.3% |
| 60+ min | 29.4% |
Four steps for Essex County borrowers
Quick steps for Essex County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Who licenses lenders for Essex County residents
The Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Virginia license. Nationally, Essex County residents can file with the CFPB. The Virginia guide covers state rules in more detail.
Keep exploring
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Essex County earn?
The median is $56,520; 27% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Essex County?
$972 a month at the median, about 21% of median household income.
Can Essex County owners borrow against a $238,100 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
What are the biggest places in Essex County?
By population: Tappahannock. The county has 1 Census place in all.
Is the fit check different in Essex County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.