

Essex County, NJ vs Passaic County, NJ
Essex County, NJ comes out ahead of Passaic County, NJ on 15 of 30 statistics where one end is better, to 14 with 1 ties. Essex County, NJ leads on Health. Passaic County, NJ leads on Economics.
30 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
- 15
- Avg. percentile
- 53
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 14
- Avg. percentile
- 53
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US counties.
| Statistic | Essex County, NJ | Passaic County, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 901,517 66th of 3,094 | 532,131 142nd of 3,094 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $80,789 548th of 3,093 | $87,522 360th of 3,093 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 14.6% 1,856th of 3,094 | 13.0% 1,501st of 3,094 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) | 6.3% tied 2,923rd of 3,094 | 6% tied 2,862nd of 3,094 |
| Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 40.4% tied 2,362nd of 3,094 | 38.5% tied 1,824th of 3,094 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 33.6 2,905th of 3,094 | 26.5 2,082nd of 3,094 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 5,103 1,678th of 3,050 | 5,674 1,919th of 3,050 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- HealthEssex County, NJ · 11 statistics
- EconomicsPassaic County, NJ · 9 statistics
Biggest differences
The 22 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 1,547 US counties.
| Statistic | Essex County, NJ | Passaic County, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Adults with a Yearly Checkup (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 76.2% tied 1,150th of 2,916 | 73.2% tied 2,030th of 2,916 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 33.6 2,905th of 3,094 | 26.5 2,082nd of 3,094 |
| Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 40.4% tied 2,362nd of 3,094 | 38.5% tied 1,824th of 3,094 |
| Adults Who Binge Drink (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 15.5% tied 524th of 2,916 | 16.7% tied 1,017th of 2,916 |
| Adults in Fair or Poor Health (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 19.5% tied 1,354th of 2,916 | 21.7% tied 1,832nd of 2,916 |
| Cooling Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 942 tied 1,278th of 3,050 | 691 875th of 3,050 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 39.1% 303rd of 3,094 | 30.9% 696th of 3,094 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 90.4% 731st of 3,094 | 92.5% 357th of 3,094 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 14.6% 1,856th of 3,094 | 13.0% 1,501st of 3,094 |
| Adults with No Leisure-Time Exercise (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 28.4% tied 1,842nd of 2,916 | 30.5% tied 2,178th of 2,916 |
| Adults 18–64 Without Health Insurance (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 14.9% tied 2,409th of 2,916 | 18.9% tied 2,729th of 2,916 |
| Median IncomePoorest Counties | $80,789 548th of 2,000 | $87,522 360th of 2,000 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 5,103 1,678th of 3,050 | 5,674 1,919th of 3,050 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $80,789 548th of 3,093 | $87,522 360th of 3,093 |
| Adults with Obesity (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 29.4% tied 162nd of 2,916 | 31.1% tied 274th of 2,916 |
| Adults with Diabetes (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 11.0% tied 1,582nd of 2,916 | 11.2% tied 1,678th of 2,916 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $524,100 2,970th of 3,092 | $459,500 tied 2,912th of 3,092 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) | 6.3% tied 2,923rd of 3,094 | 6% tied 2,862nd of 3,094 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $1,531 tied 2,862nd of 3,090 | $1,621 tied 2,915th of 3,090 |
| Adults Who Smoke (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 12.3% tied 331st of 2,916 | 12.5% tied 359th of 2,916 |
| Adults with Depression (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 15.7% tied 16th of 2,916 | 15.8% tied 18th of 2,916 |
| Adults with Frequent Mental Distress (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 16.5% tied 400th of 2,916 | 16.5% tied 400th of 2,916 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Essex County, NJ or Passaic County, NJ?
- Essex County, NJ comes out ahead of Passaic County, NJ on 15 of 30 statistics where one end is better, to 14 with 1 ties. Essex County, NJ leads on Health. Passaic County, NJ leads on Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Essex County, NJ or Passaic County, NJ?
- Essex County, NJ has a population of 901,517 (66th of 3,094 US counties) and Passaic County, NJ has 532,131 (142nd of 3,094).
- How do Essex County, NJ and Passaic County, NJ compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Essex County, NJ $80,789 (548th of 3,093), Passaic County, NJ $87,522 (360th of 3,093) among US counties. Passaic County, NJ ranks better.
- How do Essex County, NJ and Passaic County, NJ compare on Poverty Rate (%)?
- Poverty Rate (%): Essex County, NJ 14.6% (1,856th of 3,094), Passaic County, NJ 13.0% (1,501st of 3,094) among US counties. Passaic County, NJ ranks better.
- Where does Essex County, NJ beat Passaic County, NJ most clearly?
- Essex County, NJ ranks far ahead on Adults with a Yearly Checkup (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 76.2% vs 73.2%; Adults Who Binge Drink (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 15.5% vs 16.7%; Adults in Fair or Poor Health (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 19.5% vs 21.7%.
- Where does Passaic County, NJ beat Essex County, NJ most clearly?
- Passaic County, NJ ranks far ahead on Average Commute (Minutes) (Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census)): 26.5 vs 33.6; Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 38.5% vs 40.4%; Cooling Degree Days per Year (Climate by County (1991–2020 Averages)): 691 vs 942.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Essex County, NJ or Passaic County, NJ.