County profile
896,379 residents · 2025 Census estimate
Latest available data
Reporting years differ because each source follows its own publication schedule.
Housing permits
Uses the 2024 Census population estimate.
Above the New Jersey value.
Permits are assigned to the issuing municipality and added to county totals.
Explore this measure →Municipal State Aid
Uses the 2025 Census population estimate.
Above the New Jersey value.
Aid is assigned to the municipality receiving the certified allocation.
Explore this measure →Unemployment
Above the New Jersey value.
Rates describe people in their county of residence.
Explore this measure →Transportation awards
Uses the 2025 Census population estimate.
Below the New Jersey value.
Awards are assigned to the government receiving them.
Explore this measure →Change over time
New Jersey figures use published source totals where available. Unemployment rates use labor-force counts. Local Aid totals include only awards assigned to counties.
Housing permits
| Year | Essex | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Not available | Not available |
| 2015 | Not available | Not available |
| 2016 | Not available | Not available |
| 2017 | Not available | Not available |
| 2018 | Not available | Not available |
| 2019 | Not available | Not available |
| 2020 | 2.0 | 2.9 |
| 2021 | 3.6 | 3.2 |
| 2022 | 4.5 | 3.4 |
| 2023 | 4.6 | 2.3 |
| 2024 | 5.3 | 2.8 |
Municipal State Aid
| Year | Essex | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| FY2019 | Not available | Not available |
| FY2020 | Not available | Not available |
| FY2021 | $221 | $156 |
| FY2022 | $224 | $156 |
| FY2023 | $237 | $164 |
| FY2024 | $246 | $171 |
| FY2025 | $219 | $154 |
| FY2026 | $217 | $153 |
| FY2027 | $217 | $153 |
Unemployment
| Year | Essex | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 6.3% | 5.1% |
| 1991 | 8.2% | 6.8% |
| 1992 | 10.1% | 8.5% |
| 1993 | 9.5% | 7.8% |
| 1994 | 8.3% | 6.8% |
| 1995 | 7.7% | 6.4% |
| 1996 | 7.7% | 6.1% |
| 1997 | 6.8% | 5.3% |
| 1998 | 5.6% | 4.6% |
| 1999 | 5.5% | 4.4% |
| 2000 | 4.5% | 3.7% |
| 2001 | 5.3% | 4.2% |
| 2002 | 7.2% | 5.8% |
| 2003 | 7.3% | 5.8% |
| 2004 | 6.2% | 4.9% |
| 2005 | 5.6% | 4.4% |
| 2006 | 5.8% | 4.7% |
| 2007 | 5.3% | 4.2% |
| 2008 | 6.5% | 5.4% |
| 2009 | 10.1% | 8.9% |
| 2010 | 11.0% | 9.7% |
| 2011 | 10.9% | 9.4% |
| 2012 | 10.9% | 9.4% |
| 2013 | 9.9% | 8.4% |
| 2014 | 7.9% | 6.7% |
| 2015 | 6.8% | 5.7% |
| 2016 | 5.6% | 4.9% |
| 2017 | 5.2% | 4.5% |
| 2018 | 4.7% | 4.0% |
| 2019 | 4.1% | 3.5% |
| 2020 | 10.6% | 9.5% |
| 2021 | 8.0% | 6.7% |
| 2022 | 4.5% | 3.9% |
| 2023 | 5.2% | 4.3% |
| 2024 | 5.6% | 4.6% |
| 2025 | 6.3% | 5.2% |
Transportation awards
| Year | Essex | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| FY2014 | Not available | Not available |
| FY2016 | Not available | Not available |
| FY2021 | $19 | $26 |
| FY2022 | $24 | $28 |
| FY2023 | $21 | $28 |
| FY2024 | $23 | $28 |
| FY2025 | $21 | $25 |
| FY2026 | $16 | $17 |
Transportation projects
An award does not confirm payment or project completion.
| Project | Recipient | Program | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Ward Paving Improvement Project | Newark City | Municipal Aid | $1,740,273 |
| To Be Determine | Newark City | Municipal Aid | $1,121,875 |
| Rhode Island Ave, Bedford St, and Lincoln St Improvements Project | East Orange City | Municipal Aid | $1,067,610 |
| Branch Brook Park Station Pedestrian Safety Improvements | Newark | Safe Street to Transit | $820,000 |
| Beechwood Terrace, Carrol Street, and William Street Improvements Project | Orange City Township | Municipal Aid | $817,724 |
| William St, New St, and Greylock Ave Improvements | Belleville Township | Municipal Aid | $799,160 |