Census/Street List Information
Annual State Census/Street List
The yearly census (Annual Street Listing) is a Massachusetts legal requirement. Failure to respond to the census mailing shall result in removal from the active voting list and may result in removal from the Voter Registration rolls if you do not take action to restore your voter status and if you fail to vote in two consecutive biennial state elections while on the inactive voter list (M.G.L. Ch.51 S.4).
Census forms are sent to each household in Essex in January. Please complete the form by listing ALL persons, including children, who reside at the address listed and submit the form within 10 business days. This is an important task as most town programs require proof of Essex residency for enrollment and Emergency Response Personnel will know for whom they are looking in the event of a 911 call. An accurate count of residents leads to better municipal, state, and federal services, as the current population count serves as the basis for determining eligibility and allocation of state and federal funds, programs, and grants.
Residents should notify the Town Clerk's office in writing of any change of their primary residence location, within Essex or out of town. Please note that to remove a registered voter from the census, an original signature from the voter is required. Alternatively, because MA now has automatic voter registration, if you update your address at the Registry of Motor Vehicles and at other state agencies, your voter registration is updated at the same time.
The Town Clerk's office publishes an annual Street List in June of every year. To receive a current list of residents, you may file a Public Records Request with the Town Clerk.
Town-wide Census Data - Voters and Residents
| As of | Active | Inactive | Non-Voters | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/13/2021 | 2,448 | 388 | 810 | 3,646 |
10/28/2020 | 2,741 | 158 | 796 | 3,695 |
| 12/3/2019 | 2,477 | 281 | 841 | 3,599 |
Federal Census
According to the published data from the 2010 federal census, the population of Essex was 3,504. The 2020 published data shows the population has increased 4.9% (171 persons) to 3,675. Click on the link for more information: 2020 Federal Census Demographic Summaries.