Essex County Income Charts

This section shows the Essex County New Jersey economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2022 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Essex County depicts it has a Median earnings of $56,563 which is the smallest in terms of median earnings per worker of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is New York County which shows a median earnings of $91,655 (62.0% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Essex County is 6.2% larger. Also, measured against the state of New Jersey, median earnings per worker of $66,099, Essex County is about 16.9% smaller.

In Figure 2 a more complete view of income is shown which aggregates income from all members in the household and it has a Median household income of $67,826 which is the smallest as measured by median household income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Morris County which shows a median income of $123,727 (about twice as large). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Essex County is about the same size. Also, measured against the state of New Jersey, median household income of $89,703, Essex County is approximately three-fourths the size.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Essex County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has the largest proportion of earnings between $15,000 and $19,999 at 29.2% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $50,000 and $74,999 at 9.0% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $75,000 and $99,999 at 17.5% of the total.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 38.2 which is the second smallest in order of average hours of all the other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest average hours in the area is New York County which depicts an average hours of 41.4 (8.4% larger). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has a Avg Hrly Earnings of $28.48 which is the smallest in terms of average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is New York County which shows an average hourly earnings of $42.57 (49.5% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Essex County is 7.9% larger. Also, in comparison with the state of New Jersey, average hourly earnings of $33.02, Essex County is about 15.9% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Essex County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Essex County depicts it has a Self Employed of 9.7% which is in the mid range of other counties in the area. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is New York County which shows a percentage self employed of 13.0% (34.3% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the smallest proportion of median income-under 25 years at $66,610 of the total. Second, it has the second smallest as measured by median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the area as measured by median income-25 to 44 years at $81,450 of the total. Third, it has less than most other counties in the metro area in order of median income-45 to 64 years at $53,596 of the total.

The next chart (Figure 11) shows the percentage of households that had retirement income over the last 12 months and it has a With Retirement Income of 16.7% which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Richmond County which depicts a households with retirement income of 25.5% (52.7% larger).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and has the percentage of overall family income in the mid range of other counties in the metro area at $137,885 of the total. Second, it has the second smallest in terms of overall family income of all the other counties in the surrounding region when ranked by white family income at $62,326 of the total. Third, it has less than most other counties in the greater region when ranked by black family income at $58,750 of the total. Also, it has the largest proportion of american indian family income at $177,735 of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the second smallest when ranked by overall family income of all the other counties in the metro area as measured by hawaiian family income at $59,726 of the total.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Essex County shows it has the hightest cost of 136.3 for the cost of housing classification.

Essex County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at monthly trended employment related performance using data estimated by economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS tracks unemployment statistics for a large number of areas throughout the country on a month to month basis. However, not every location in the U.S. is tracked by the BLS so the chart will only show the closest location available (which may be the same location.) Figure 14 shows the monthly unemployment rate for the area as well as a comparison to the overall national economy measure for the United States. Note that in March to April 2022, the Covid 19 recession occurred and affects this metric. The monthly unemployment rate shows that from February 2017 to before the disasterous Covid-19 virus Pandemic it went from 5.9% to 4.5% in December 2019. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 23.7%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 4.5%. This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of very little. In Figure 15 the monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work are also defined as unemployed but do not include people who have given up looking for work. The monthly labor force participation indicates that from January 2017 to before the disasterous Covid-19 virus Pandemic it went from 365,998 to 371,879 in November 2019. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of very little. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 371,879. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of very little.

The next two charts look at the annual unemployment rate/eligible for unemployment benefits and is based on the American Community survey. Figure 16 shows Essex County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 5.7% which is the highest of all counties in the greater Essex County region. Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Essex County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 66.0% which is the second smallest in terms of participation rate of all the other counties in the local area.

The Components of Employment Status graph in Figure 18 shows the composition of the labor force broken down by employed, unemployed, and not in the labor force (but 16 years of age or older). Essex County has the largest proportion of employed at 5.7% of the total and is ranked #1.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Essex County shows full time employees approximately 3.7 times bigger as the part time employees.

The next employment related data item is shown in Figure 21 which is the percentage of families with only a single earner in the greater Essex County area. Essex County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 29.3% which is in the center range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Richmond County which shows a single earners rate of 32.5% (10.6% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Essex County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 11.4% which is less than most other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Richmond County which shows a families with no worker of 18.3% (61.0% larger).

Essex County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Essex County community. This performance can be enhanced by government programs such as economic opportunity zone to influence manufacturing, job growth, economic opportunity an hopefully lead to economic recovery after the recent Covid 19 recession. In Figure 23 the total number of people earning less than the poverty level are shown. Essex County shows it has a Total In Poverty of 126,984 which is the second most total people earning less than the poverty level of all the counties in the greater Essex County region. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is New York County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 252,233 (about twice as large).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Essex County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 15.3% which is the second most percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all the counties in the greater Essex County region. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is New York County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 15.6% ( only slightly larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Essex County has the largest proportion of person in poverty under 12 years at 11% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 12% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Essex County has one of the largest proportions of asian poverty rate at 33% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being New York County with 34%.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Essex County has one of the largest proportions of married with children and in poverty at 39% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being New York County with 40%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried with children and in poverty at 42% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Hudson County (43%), and #1 New York County (44%) are larger. Third, it has the largest proportion of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 28% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Essex County has the largest proportion of people who are in poverty and employed at 7.7% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who are in poverty and unemployed at 16.3% of the total. Additionally, Figure 30 looks at the percentage of people who receive some form of public assistance including general assistance, temporary assistance or food stamps (i.e. SNAP.) Essex County indicates it has a Public Assistance Percent of 15.0% which is more than all other counties in the local area.

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Essex County shows it has a Gini Index of 54.8% which is the second most the gini index of all the counties in the greater Essex County region.

Essex County Work Commute Charts

Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Essex County or elsewhere.) Essex County has the percentage of people who drove alone in the mid point range of other counties in the local area at 57% of the total. Second, it has in the mid range of other counties in the greater region as measured by people who take a Subway or elevated rail at 3% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who take the Long-distance train or commuter rail at 5% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Essex County has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 11am to 12noon at 7% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 12noon to 4pm at 6% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Essex County has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 15 to 19 minutes at 14% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Essex County shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 34 which is the third most average commute time of all other counties in the greater Essex County region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Essex County depicts average commute time in minutes for men 16.7% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Essex County has one of the largest proportions of no vehicle available at 32% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Hudson County with 43%. Second, it has less than most other counties in the local area as measured by 1 vehicle available at 37% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Essex County depicts it has a Work in city or place where live of 35% which is the third most people who both work and live in the same city of all other counties in the greater Essex County region. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is New York County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 95% (approximately 2.7 times bigger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Essex County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of New Jersey, people who both work and live in the same city of 24%, Essex County is 44.3% larger.

Essex County Jobs Charts

The next to charts break out the median earnings for major job categories for men and women. Figure 46 shows the median earnings of men for the job categories. Essex County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $116,083 for the management, business, and financial occupations category. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Essex County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $89,937 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations group. The table in Figure 48, shows Essex County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Essex County Self Employment Charts

Figure 49 shows economic activity in terms of the number of people who are self employed in incorporated local business by industry. Essex County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 56% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses group.

Similar to the last chart is Figure 50 which shows the number of people who are self employed but in more detailed industry categories such as manufacturing, retail sales, residential real estate, commercial real estate, health care, exports/imports, and advanced industries, etc. Essex County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 26% for the self employed in professional, scientific, management, administrative services category.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Essex County depicts it has a Self Employment Income of $55,143 which is in the mid range of other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is New York County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $75,659 (37.2% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Essex County is 30.9% larger. Also, compared to the state of New Jersey, average annual self employment income of $51,981, Essex County is 6.1% larger.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Essex County depicts total number of self-employed men 64.8% larger as the total number of self-employed women.