

Essex County, MA vs Plymouth County, MA
Plymouth County, MA comes out ahead of Essex County, MA on 20 of 29 statistics where one end is better, to 8 with 1 ties. Essex County, MA leads on Health. Plymouth County, MA leads on Economics.
29 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 1 tie. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 8
- Avg. percentile
- 64
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 20
- Avg. percentile
- 65
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US counties.
| Statistic | Essex County, MA | Plymouth County, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 827,136 80th of 3,094 | 548,995 135th of 3,094 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $101,883 154th of 3,093 | $114,201 73rd of 3,093 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 9.37% 656th of 3,094 | 7.1% 228th of 3,094 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) | 4.6% tied 2,157th of 3,094 | 4.6% tied 2,157th of 3,094 |
| Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 36.7% tied 1,322nd of 3,094 | 36.0% tied 1,159th of 3,094 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 28.5 2,407th of 3,094 | 32.5 2,840th of 3,094 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 6,194 tied 2,151st of 3,050 | 5,699 tied 1,933rd of 3,050 |
| Median Air Quality IndexAir Quality by County (EPA) | 40 tied 479th of 960 | 37 tied 306th of 960 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- HealthEssex County, MA · 11 statistics
- EconomicsPlymouth County, MA · 9 statistics
Biggest differences
The 22 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 1,547 US counties.
| Statistic | Essex County, MA | Plymouth County, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Adults with Frequent Mental Distress (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 16.3% tied 352nd of 2,916 | 18.4% tied 1,318th of 2,916 |
| Adults Who Binge Drink (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 17.3% tied 1,284th of 2,916 | 19.7% tied 2,254th of 2,916 |
| Adults with Depression (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 23.0% tied 1,160th of 2,916 | 24.9% tied 1,725th of 2,916 |
| Adults with No Leisure-Time Exercise (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 23.2% tied 699th of 2,916 | 19.2% tied 170th of 2,916 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 28.5 2,407th of 3,094 | 32.5 2,840th of 3,094 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 9.37% 656th of 3,094 | 7.1% 228th of 3,094 |
| Adults in Fair or Poor Health (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 16.1% tied 423rd of 2,916 | 14.7% tied 176th of 2,916 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 6,194 tied 2,151st of 3,050 | 5,699 tied 1,933rd of 3,050 |
| Adults with Diabetes (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 8.7% tied 286th of 2,916 | 8.2% tied 136th of 2,916 |
| Cooling Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 497 tied 546th of 3,050 | 593 tied 702nd of 3,050 |
| Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 36.7% tied 1,322nd of 3,094 | 36.0% tied 1,159th of 3,094 |
| Median IncomePoorest Counties | $101,883 154th of 2,000 | $114,201 73rd of 2,000 |
| Adults 18–64 Without Health Insurance (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 6.5% tied 96th of 2,916 | 4.7% 6th of 2,916 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 92.4% 383rd of 3,094 | 92.9% 287th of 3,094 |
| Adults Who Smoke (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 11.5% tied 222nd of 2,916 | 12.1% tied 295th of 2,916 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $101,883 154th of 3,093 | $114,201 73rd of 3,093 |
| Adults with a Yearly Checkup (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 79.1% tied 252nd of 2,916 | 79.5% tied 187th of 2,916 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 43.0% 199th of 3,094 | 41.8% 228th of 3,094 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $619,100 3,017th of 3,092 | $556,000 2,994th of 3,092 |
| Adults with Obesity (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 30.0% tied 196th of 2,916 | 29.7% tied 179th of 2,916 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $1,756 2,977th of 3,090 | $1,747 tied 2,973rd of 3,090 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) | 4.6% tied 2,157th of 3,094 | 4.6% tied 2,157th of 3,094 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Essex County, MA or Plymouth County, MA?
- Plymouth County, MA comes out ahead of Essex County, MA on 20 of 29 statistics where one end is better, to 8 with 1 ties. Essex County, MA leads on Health. Plymouth County, MA leads on Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Essex County, MA or Plymouth County, MA?
- Essex County, MA has a population of 827,136 (80th of 3,094 US counties) and Plymouth County, MA has 548,995 (135th of 3,094).
- How do Essex County, MA and Plymouth County, MA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Essex County, MA $101,883 (154th of 3,093), Plymouth County, MA $114,201 (73rd of 3,093) among US counties. Plymouth County, MA ranks better.
- How do Essex County, MA and Plymouth County, MA compare on Poverty Rate (%)?
- Poverty Rate (%): Essex County, MA 9.37% (656th of 3,094), Plymouth County, MA 7.1% (228th of 3,094) among US counties. Plymouth County, MA ranks better.
- Where does Essex County, MA beat Plymouth County, MA most clearly?
- Essex County, MA ranks far ahead on Adults with Frequent Mental Distress (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 16.3% vs 18.4%; Adults Who Binge Drink (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 17.3% vs 19.7%; Adults with Depression (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 23.0% vs 24.9%.
- Where does Plymouth County, MA beat Essex County, MA most clearly?
- Plymouth County, MA ranks far ahead on Adults with No Leisure-Time Exercise (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 19.2% vs 23.2%; Poverty Rate (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census)): 7.1% vs 9.37%; Adults in Fair or Poor Health (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 14.7% vs 16.1%.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Essex County, MA or Plymouth County, MA.