Essex County Area Home Supply Charts

This page looks at a variety of Essex County New Jersey housing market data taken from the most recent 2021 American Community Survey census data. Housing units are structures such as a single family home, apartment community, mobile home park, public housing, etc. where a person or family live and live separately from other residents of the building. Figure 1 shows the total number of housing units for each city. Essex County depicts it has a Housing Units of 318,385 which is the third most housing units of all other counties in the greater Essex County region.

Figure 2 illustrates the housing density in the Essex County housing market as measured by housing units per square land mile (includes single family homes, apartments, etc.) Essex County shows it has a Housing Density of 2522.3 which is in the mid range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest housing density in the area is New York County which shows a density of 39055.2 ( very much bigger). Comparing housing density to the United States average of 39.2, Essex County is considerably bigger. Also, in comparison with the state of New Jersey, housing density of 493.4, Essex County is very much bigger.

In Figure 4, Essex County area change in the number of housing units and is a forward gauge (along with population change) for any potential housing shortage. Essex County depicts it has a Housing Unit Change of 1.7% which is the second smallest when sorted by change in the housing units of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest change in the housing units in the area is Hudson County which depicts a housing units of 5.3% (approximately 3.0 times bigger). Comparing change in the housing units to the United States average of 6.5%, Essex County is approximately a quarter the size. Also, in contrast to the state of New Jersey, change in the housing units of 2.1%, Essex County is about 21.9% smaller.

Figure 5 shows the percentage of rental property based on that they are occupied by renters as a percent of the total number of households in the community (including homes, apartments, etc.) Essex County shows it has a Renter Percent of 55.6% which is the third most of all other counties in the metro area. Figure 6 illustrates the total number of housing units that are occupied by owners. it has a Owner Percent of 44.4% which is less than most other counties in the local area.

Essex County Home Cost Charts

Looking at the housing data provided in Figure 7, the average Essex County home price is illustrated for this community and a useful analysis of affordable housing. Essex County shows it has a Median Home Value of $395,900 which is the second smallest in order of median home price of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest median home price in the area is New York County which depicts a home price of $1,024,500 (approximately 2.6 times bigger). Figure 8 provides aggregate comparative data for the Essex County New Jersey metro area in terms of the median housing rental rate, apartment rent, etc. Essex County shows it has a Median Gross Rent of $1,211 which is the smallest when sorted by rental rates of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest rental rates in the area is New York County which depicts a rental rates of $1,787 (47.6% larger). Comparing rental rates to the United States average of $1,096, Essex County is 10.5% larger. Also, compared to the state of New Jersey, rental rates of $1,368, Essex County is about 13.0% smaller.

Figure 9 provides the frequency distribution of home prices for the area and is useful for understanding affordable housing fund. Essex County has the largest proportion of home price worth less than $50,000 at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of home price worth between $50,000 to $100,000 at 11% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of home price worth between $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 at 4% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Bergen County (5%), and #1 New York County (16%) are larger.

Median owner costs for the real estate market are shown in Figure 10 and include the costs associated with any mortgage, utility expenses, insurance, and other miscellaneous costs. Essex County depicts it has a Median Owner Cost of $2,375 which is the second most median ownership cost of all the counties in the greater Essex County region. Figure 11 shows the median amount of cost as a percent of total household income for people who own homes in the Essex County metro area. it has a Owner Cost as % of HH Income of 24% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Essex County region.

The next chart, Figure 12, provides a comparison chart of the median home cost as a percent of a median worker take home earnings and is thus a valuable measure of affordable housing. Essex County shows it has a Median Home Value as Percent of Median Earnings of 736% which is the third most median home value as a percent of median worker earnings of all other counties in the greater Essex County region.

Figure 14 depicts the median cost of housing for owners with also have a mortgages (versus those who do not have a mortgage because mortgage cost is included.) Essex County depicts it has a Median Owner Costs-With Mortgage of $2,875 which is in the mid point range of other counties in the surrounding region. Figure 15 is a chart that shows the median housing costs for owners who do not have mortgages (and therefore the cost of home ownership does not include mortgage cost.) it has a Median Owner Costs-Without Mortgage of $1,344 which is more than all other counties in the greater region.

Figure 16 shows the distribution in total housing cost for owners of property (so not renters.) This cost includes mortgages, lines of credit interest, utilities, taxes, insurance, etc. Essex County has the smallest proportion of owner cost between $500 and $700 at 5% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of owner cost between $1,000 and $1,500 at 15% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of owner cost between $1,500 and $2,000 at 15% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of owner cost between $2,500 and $3,000 at 11% of the total and is ranked #1.

Next shown in Figure 17 is the housing cost as a percent of household income for people who own their homes and have a mortgages (thus the cost of financing the home is included.) Essex County shows it has a % of Income Owner Costs-With Mortgage of 26% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Essex County region. Housing cost as a percent of household income for owners who do not have a mortgage is shown in Figure 18. This analysis can be useful for understanding the affordable housing for home ownership excluding any financing cost in the area shown. Essex County depicts it has a % of Income Owner Costs-No Mortgage of 18% which is the highest of all counties in the greater Essex County region.

Figure 19 looks at the cost of rent for rental property using the percent of total household income which is a valuable measure of financial health for the area. (The higher the proportion of rent payments to total household income is a sign of greater financial stress. Also, rent can be covered by rent assistance and rent assistance programs in the form of rent assistance.) Essex County has the smallest proportion of rent as a percent of income is less than 10 pct at 18% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of rent as a percent of income is between 40pct to 50pct at 28% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 20 shows the total housing cost for both home owners and apartment community renters in the area. Essex County has the largest proportion of housing cost between $700 and $1,000 at 29% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of housing cost between $1,500 and $2,000 at 10% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of housing cost between $2,000 and $2,500 at 7% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of housing cost between $2,500 and $3,000 at 16% of the total.

Figure 21 shows median amount of real estate taxes paid for home owners in the region. it has a Median Real Estate Taxes Paid of $10,001 which is the largest of all counties in the greater Essex County region. Comparing median real estate taxes paid to the United States average of $2,551, Essex County is approximately 3.9 times bigger. Also, measured against the state of New Jersey, median real estate taxes paid of $8,489, Essex County is 17.8% larger.

Figure 23 shows the rental rate distribution for this area. Essex County New Jersey has the largest proportion of rent between 500 and 750 dollars at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of rent between 750 and 1000 dollars at 40% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Union County with 41%. Third, it has the smallest proportion of rent between 1000 and 1500 dollars at 24% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of rent between $1,500 and $2,500 at 2% of the total.

Essex County Home Financing Charts

The analysis in Figure 25 shows the detailed distribution of owned homes by mortgage status. Essex County has the smallest proportion of With HELOC no Primary Mortgage at 30% of the total.

Figure 26 shows the proportion of houses with a mortgage versus those without a mortgage. Essex County has the smallest proportion of houses with mortgages at 30% of the total.

Essex County Home Characteristics Charts

Figure 28 shows the household size for families living in the area and it has a Family size of 3.5 which is the second most of all the counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest family members per housing unit in the area is Union County which shows a family members per housing unit of 3.5 ( about the same size). Comparing family members per housing unit to the United States average of 3.3, Essex County is only about 5.4% larger. Also, compared with the state of New Jersey, family members per housing unit of 3.3, Essex County is only about 5.2% larger.

Figure 29 show the median number of rooms in a typical home for each location in this area. it has a Median Number of Rooms of 5.0 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average number of rooms in a house in the area is Morris County which depicts an average number of rooms in a house of 6.7 (34.0% larger). Figure 30 shows, for the average house in each location, the median year that a house was built. This can be useful for understanding the relative age of one neighborhood versus another for a real estate investor. it has a Median Year Built of 1956 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest year built in the area is Richmond County which depicts a year built of 1972 ( about the same size).

Figure 31 looks at the distribution of housing units by the median age that the homes were built. it has one of the largest proportions of homes built between 1940 to 1949 at 31% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Hudson County (33%), and #1 New York County (43%) are larger.

Figure 32 shows the difference in the number of housing units based on whether they are occupied by owners versus occupied by renters. it has one of the largest proportions of owner housing units at 161,665 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Hudson County (176,747), and #1 New York County (576,213) are larger.

Figure 33 shows the difference in the number of housing units based on whether they are occupied by owners or renters. it has the largest proportion of 2 units at 16% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of 20 to 49 units at 12% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Hudson County (21%), and #1 New York County (56%) are larger. Third, it has the smallest proportion of 50 or more units at 0% of the total.

Figure 34 shows the median value of homes broken down by the median year that the homes were built. has the percentage of value of homes built 2014 or later in the center range of other counties in the local area at $690,700 of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of value of homes built 2010 to 2013 at $388,100 of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of value of homes built 2000 to 2009 at $358,300 of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of value of homes built 1990 to 1999 at $386,500 of the total. In addition, it has less than most other counties in the greater region in terms of value of homes built 1980 to 1989 at $417,200 of the total. Furthermore, it has less than most other counties in the metro area when ranked by value of homes built 1970 to 1979 at $445,200 of the total. Next it has less than most other counties in the local area in order of value of homes built 1960 to 1969 at $401,000 of the total. Additionally, it has the second smallest when sorted by value of homes built 2014 or later of all the other counties in the greater region in order of value of homes built 1950 to 1959 at $347,700 of the total. And then, it has the second smallest in terms of value of homes built 2014 or later of all the other counties in the metro area when sorted by value of homes built 1940 to 1949 at $396,700 of the total.

The next two charts show both the average household size of homeowners versus the average household size of renters. Starting with Figure 36 we see the household size of homeowners for Essex County residents. it has a Owner-Household Size of 3.0 which is the largest of all counties in the metropolitan area.

Figure 37 shows the household size for renters. Essex County depicts it has a Renter-Household Size of 2.4 which is the third most renter household sizes of all other counties in the greater Essex County region. The county with the highest renter household size in the area is Union County which shows a renter household sizes of 2.7 (9.9% larger).

Figure 40 compares the median year that home owners moved into their home. it has a Owner Median Year Moved In of 2003 which is the third most of all other counties in the greater region. Figure 41 compares the median year that renters moved into their home. Essex County shows it has a Renter Median Year Moved In of 2014 which is the third most median year that a renter moved in of all other counties in the greater Essex County region.

Figure 42 shows the frequency distribution of various types of energy sources used for homes in the community. it has one of the largest proportions of homes using solar energy at 1% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Morris County (1%), and #1 New York County (3%) are larger.

The next two charts show the number of people living in group quarters and includes temporary as well permanent housing which may be run by the Essex County housing department, New Jersey department, or other housing authority or public housing agency. beginning with Figure 43 which shows the total number of people. Essex County shows it has a Total In Group Quarters of 21,703 which is the second most of all the counties in the area.

Figure 44 shows the percentage of people who are living in group quarters to the total population for Essex County residents (these may include colleges and jails but also community centers for homelessness or that require a housing choice voucher which are run by certain nonprofits or an affordable housing department.) Essex County has the largest proportion of number of people under 18 years of age and in group quarters at 98% of the total and is ranked #1.