Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the state of New Jersey. As of 2000, the population is 793,633. Its county seat is Newark6.
Like many of the counties of Northern New Jersey, the areas toward New York City along the New Jersey Turnpike tend to be poorer and more urban, while inland areas such as Short Hills are upper-middle class and upper-class communities.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 336 km² (130 mi²). 327 km² (126 mi²) of it is land and 9 km² (3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.54% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 793,633 people, 283,736 households, and 193,507 families residing in the county. The population density is 2,427/km² (6,285/mi²). There are 301,011 housing units at an average density of 920/km² (2,384/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 44.46% White, 41.24% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 3.71% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.88% from other races, and 3.42% from two or more races. 15.42% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 283,736 households out of which 33.80% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.30% are married couples living together, 20.40% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% are non-families. 26.70% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.60% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.72 and the average family size is 3.30.
In the county the population is spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 90.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $44,944, and the median income for a family is $54,818. Males have a median income of $41,374 versus $32,052 for females. The per capita income for the county is $24,943. 15.60% of the population and 12.80% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.50% of those under the age of 18 and 12.20% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
- Belleville
- Bloomfield
- Caldwell
- Cedar Grove
- East Orange
- Essex Fells
- Fairfield
- Glen Ridge
- Irvington
- Livingston
- Maplewood
- Millburn
- Montclair
- Newark
- North Caldwell
- Nutley
- Orange
- Roseland
- South Orange
- Verona
- West Caldwell
- West Orange
Parks
- Branch Brook Park, Newark
- Brookdale Park, Montclair/Bloomfield
- Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange/Montclair
- Grover Cleveland Park, West Caldwell/Essex Fells/Roseland
- South Mountain Reservation, West Orange/South Orange/Millburn
- Verona Park, Verona
- West Essex Park,West Caldwell/Roseland
