55.7
County Score
Disaster Risk 96.8Safety 93.1Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Essex County, Vermont

A National Standout

Essex County outpaces the national median with a strong composite score of 55.7. This high ranking is driven by exceptional safety and environmental stability.

Top-Tier Vermont Ranking

Ranking well above the Vermont average of 44.6, Essex is a standout for peace and security. It offers a vastly different lifestyle profile than the state's southern urban counties.

Exceptional Safety and Stability

The county is incredibly safe, earning a safety score of 93.1 and a near-perfect environmental risk score of 96.8. Housing is also relatively accessible with a cost score of 38.0.

Lower Economic Opportunity

Economic opportunity is limited, as the income score sits at 35.6 with a median income of $58,985. School scores also lag at 43.9, suggesting a need for educational investment.

The Peace-Seeker's Haven

This county is a haven for remote workers or retirees who prioritize safety and low environmental risk. It is a top choice for those who value tranquility over career growth.

Score breakdown

Tax7.4Cost38Safety93.1Health80.5Schools43.9Income35.6Risk96.8Water86Weather49.9
🏛7.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠38
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼35.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡93.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty
80.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓43.9
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty
96.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty
🌤49.9
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty
🪨66.8
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty
🌱48
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty
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Deep Dives

Essex County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Essex County

via TaxByCounty

Essex taxes run well above national norms

At 1.688%, Essex County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.099% by 54%, placing it around the 77th percentile nationally. With a median tax of $2,828, Essex remains remarkably close to the national median of $2,690, a rare achievement reflecting its lower home values.

Near average rate statewide, lowest values

Essex County's 1.688% effective rate runs slightly below Vermont's state average of 1.718%, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Vermont's counties. The median home value of $167,500 is Vermont's lowest, resulting in the state's lowest median tax bill of $2,828.

Caledonia rates higher despite fewer homes

Essex's 1.688% rate sits comfortably below Caledonia County's 1.830% to the south and Addison's 1.693% to the west. Among northeastern counties, Essex maintains a moderate rate coupled with the state's most affordable property values.

Median home taxed around $2,828 annually

On Essex County's median home value of $167,500, a 1.688% effective rate yields approximately $2,828 in yearly property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay roughly $3,098, while those without mortgages pay around $2,628.

Even modest overassessments add up quickly

Though Essex's absolute tax bills are Vermont's lowest, overassessments still represent real money lost to unnecessarily high taxes. Given that roughly one-third of homeowners are over-valued on tax rolls, verifying your assessment and filing an appeal if warranted can protect your bottom line.

Cost of Living in Essex County

via CostByCounty

Low income, manageable housing burden

Essex County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.6% slightly exceeds Vermont's state average of 17.8%, but its median household income of $58,985 is the lowest statewide—20% below the national median. This creates a paradox where renters face a heavier burden despite lower absolute rents, reflecting the county's limited wage opportunities.

Vermont's lowest-income county

Essex County confronts dual challenges: the state's lowest median household income at $58,985 combined with a 18.6% rent-to-income ratio that exceeds the state average. Its median home value of $167,500 is Vermont's cheapest, but limited local income-earning potential makes housing affordability fragile for residents.

Cheapest homes, but tight income situation

Essex's median rent of $915 is the second-lowest in Vermont after Caledonia ($904), and its $167,500 median home value is by far the state's lowest. However, with median income of $58,985—substantially below all neighboring counties—Essex residents are the most income-constrained in the region.

Low costs meet low paychecks

Renters pay just $915 monthly and homeowners $938, among Vermont's cheapest, but against a median income of $58,985, these costs consume 18.6% of household budgets. While technically manageable, Essex's limited wage-earning opportunities mean housing stability depends heavily on employment stability or outside income sources.

Only choose Essex if you have alternative income

Essex offers rock-bottom housing costs and is Vermont's last affordable frontier, but chronic low local incomes make it risky for job-seekers relocating without remote work or savings. If you're retiring, working remotely, or have guaranteed alternative income, Essex's cheap homes and rents are unbeatable; otherwise, consider Caledonia's better affordability balance.

Income & Jobs in Essex County

via IncomeByCounty

Essex County trails the nation

Essex County's median household income of $58,985 falls 21% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, making it one of the country's lower-income rural counties. Limited economic diversification and remoteness constrain employment opportunities and wage growth.

Lowest income county in Vermont

Essex ranks 14th and last among Vermont's counties, trailing the state average of $75,043 by more than $16,000. The county's per capita income of $34,221 represents the state's lowest individual earning level.

Significantly behind Caledonia County

Essex's $58,985 median falls about $7,000 below Caledonia County ($66,075), the nearest comparable county. Essex's northeast isolation and dependence on forestry and small-scale tourism limit wage growth relative to more connected Vermont regions.

Housing affordability is critical

At 18.6%, Essex's rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability concern threshold when paired with the county's lowest median income. The median home value of $167,500 represents the state's lowest, offering a rare silver lining for potential buyers.

Protect what you earn, grow slowly

At $59,000 median household income, Essex residents must prioritize financial stability and emergency savings before aggressive investing. Focus on eliminating high-interest debt, building 3-6 months of reserves, and exploring lower-cost financial services through credit unions and online brokers.

Safety in Essex County

via CrimeByCounty

Near-perfect safety score in Essex

Essex County records a safety score of 99.9, making it one of the safest counties in the entire United States. Its total crime rate of 83.7 per 100,000 is a tiny fraction of the national average.

Vermont's quietest county for crime

With a crime rate of only 83.7, Essex County sits far below the Vermont average of 1,397.0. This score leads the state, though the data comes from a single reporting agency and should be interpreted with caution.

Safer than all neighboring regions

Essex County reports lower crime figures than Caledonia and Lamoille counties. While its remote nature contributes to these numbers, the data reflects an exceptionally low-crime environment.

Zero reported violent crimes in 2022

The county reported a violent crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000, compared to a national average of 369.8. All reported incidents were property crimes, which also occurred at an extremely low rate of 83.7.

Preserving peace in rural Vermont

Residents in Essex County enjoy a rare level of security but should still practice standard safety habits. Keeping outbuildings locked and maintaining good relationships with neighbors ensures this safety continues.

Health in Essex County

via HealthByCounty

Essex faces significant health headwinds

Essex County's 77.4-year life expectancy sits 1.3 years above the U.S. average of 76.1 years, but 16.0% of residents report poor or fair health—close to the national 17.9% benchmark. This represents genuine population health stress.

Worst health outcomes in Vermont

Essex County ranks dead last in Vermont, with 77.4-year life expectancy nearly a full year below the state average of 78.2 years. At 16.0% poor/fair health, Essex has the highest burden of self-reported poor health in the entire state.

Health crisis among regional peers

Essex's 77.4-year life expectancy and 16.0% poor/fair health rate are the worst among all Vermont counties—3.4 years below Chittenden (80.8) and 3.3 percentage points worse than Addison (10.2%). The county faces urgent health challenges.

Severe provider shortage crisis

Essex faces an acute healthcare desert with just 17 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a tenth of Chittenden's rate—and only 67 mental health providers per 100,000. Combined with 5.2% uninsured, residents face compounding access barriers that directly threaten health.

Insurance access critical in Essex

With the state's worst provider shortage, having health insurance is essential for residents willing to travel for care. Contact Vermont's marketplace or local health department today to secure coverage and find resources outside your county.

Schools in Essex County

via SchoolsByCounty

Tiny Schools Serving Vermont’s Far Northeast

Essex County operates the state's smallest public school footprint with just five schools across two districts. These facilities serve only 520 total students, providing an incredibly intimate educational environment.

Low Graduation Rates Present Challenges for Essex

The county graduation rate is 69%, falling below both the state average of 81.3% and the national average of 87%. Per-pupil spending of $9,993 is also lower than state benchmarks, though school scores remain competitive with a 48.9 rating.

Two Main Districts Manage the Rural Landscape

The Canaan School District and Brighton School District handle the bulk of local enrollment, with Canaan serving 169 students. There are zero charter schools in the county, emphasizing the role of traditional local districts.

Purely Rural Education with Very Small Classes

Every school in Essex County is classified as rural, with an average school size of only 130 students. The largest facility is Canaan Schools with 169 students, while Lunenburg & Gilman Schools serve just 60 children.

Discover a Quiet Pace of Life and Learning

Essex County is ideal for those seeking the smallest school settings in the state. If you are looking for a home where every teacher knows every student by name, explore the available properties in Canaan or Brighton.

Disaster Risk in Essex County

via RiskByCounty

Essex County ranks among the safest

Essex County's composite risk score of 3.21 places it among America's lowest-risk jurisdictions, with a "Very Low" rating across nearly all natural hazard categories. Its remote location in the Northeast Kingdom creates exceptional geographic protection.

Vermont's single safest county

Essex County's score of 3.21 represents the lowest composite risk in Vermont, dramatically below the state average of 36.44. No other county in the state comes close to Essex's minimal exposure profile.

Safest of all northeastern counties

Essex County's risk profile stands far below Caledonia County (30.15) and all other neighboring jurisdictions analyzed. Its isolation, higher elevation, and sparse development create the state's most resilient natural hazard environment.

Limited hazard exposure overall

Essex County's hazard scores remain remarkably low across all categories, with wildfire risk (3.82) and tornado risk (4.87) essentially negligible. Even its highest score—earthquake risk (22.52)—falls well below statewide norms, reflecting the county's geographic isolation.

Basic coverage provides full protection

Essex County residents need only standard homeowners insurance and can likely forgo specialized flood or windstorm coverage, making it one of Vermont's most economical counties for disaster insurance. Annual premium reviews should still occur to ensure adequate replacement value.

Weather & Climate in Essex County

via WeatherByCounty

The Coldest Corner of Vermont

Essex County averages just 40.4°F annually, one of the lowest figures in the continental United States. This subarctic-leaning climate is nearly 14 degrees colder than the national median.

The State’s Thermal Cellar

Essex ranks as the coldest county in Vermont, falling 3.2 degrees below the state average. It represents the peak of Vermont’s reputation for long, harsh winters.

Colder Than Its Neighbors

Essex is nearly a degree colder than Caledonia and over 6 degrees colder than Chittenden. Its remote, northern location keeps it consistently chilled year-round.

Severe Winters and Cool Summers

January temperatures average a brutal 12.7°F with nearly 98 inches of annual snowfall. Summers are fleeting, with July averaging 65.0°F and only 2 days of extreme heat.

Maximized Heating and Insulation

Residents must prioritize high-performance heating systems and sub-zero rated outdoor gear. With only 2 days of heat, AC is rarely needed, but winterizing pipes is critical.

Soil Quality in Essex County

via SoilByCounty

Forest-Rich and Highly Acidic

Essex has a very low pH of 4.49, making it significantly more acidic than the national 6.5 median and the state's 4.86 average. This profile is typical for the heavily forested northern reaches of Vermont.

Light Soils with Minimal Clay

The soil is comprised of 46.1% sand and only 3.5% clay, the lowest clay percentage in this regional group. This ensures the soil is light and never gummy, though it may struggle to hold certain minerals.

Exceptional Organic Reserves

Organic matter is exceptionally high at 43.65%, dwarfing the national average of 2.0%. This richness, combined with a high water capacity of 0.290 in/in, creates a nutrient-dense environment for native plants.

Rapid Drainage in Northern Terrain

High sand and low clay content point toward rapid drainage, helping the ground shed water after heavy snowmelts. This prevents the soil from becoming anaerobic, which is vital for local tree health.

Cold-Hardy Growth in Zone 4b

In the cool Zone 4b, gardeners should focus on cold-hardy varieties like garlic and winter squash. The county's 66.8 soil score indicates that, despite the acidity, the land is quite fertile.

Lawn Care in Essex County

via LawnByCounty

A Tough Climb for Essex Lawns

Essex County has a lawn difficulty score of 48.0, falling below both the state and national averages. The cold 4b hardiness zone and limited growing degree days create a demanding environment for lawn enthusiasts.

The Shortest Growing Window

With only 1625 growing degree days, grass has very little time to establish and thrive. A late spring frost on May 30 means mowing and maintenance begin much later than in southern Vermont.

High Acidity and High Sand

The soil pH is quite low at 4.49, which can lock out essential nutrients from the grass roots. With 46.1% sand, the soil drains quickly, making nutrient management a top priority for local gardeners.

Persistent Dry Spells

The county experienced 30 weeks of drought over the last year, and currently, 100% of the area is abnormally dry. Homeowners should utilize rain barrels or smart irrigation to manage these frequent dry conditions.

Racing the First Frost

Choose fast-establishing, cold-tolerant seeds like Fine Fescues to make the most of the short season. Given the September 29 frost date, any fall seeding must be completed by late August for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Essex County's county score?
Essex County, Vermont has a composite county score of 55.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Essex County rank among counties in Vermont?
Essex County ranks #2 among all counties in Vermont on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Essex County, Vermont?
The median annual property tax in Essex County is $2,828, with an effective tax rate of 1.69%. This earns Essex County a tax score of 7.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Essex County?
The median household income in Essex County, Vermont is $58,985 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Essex County earns an income score of 35.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Essex County, Vermont a good place to live?
Essex County scores 55.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #2 in Vermont. The best way to evaluate Essex County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Essex County with other counties side by side.