Essex, Massachusetts: Safe and Quaint

Essex, Massachusetts is a small town that offers visitors a safe and quaint atmosphere. Essex has been around since the 1700s and still retains much of its original charm. Essex sits on the Essex River in Essex County, which was named after Essex county in England. This area can be found near Boston and Cape Ann, to the south of Salem. Learn more here.

Essex has a population of about 19,000 residents. Essex is well-known for Essex National Heritage Area, Essex Riverfront Park, and the Essex Agricultural Society Fairgrounds. Learn more about The Close-Knit Community of Middleton, Massachusetts.

Essex is also home to Essex Vocational Technical Institute. Essex offers visitors a chance to experience its rich history and culture all while enjoying the peace of a small town.


Essex also has a rich cultural heritage. Essex’s residents are mostly Polish, Irish, French-Canadian, and Italian as well as Americans with English roots. Essex is home to the country's first Catholic church in New England that was established by Jesuit priests from France.


Essex is known for its excellent schools where students can be challenged academically or take part in extracurricular programs like music lessons and athletics. Essex public school teachers have won prestigious awards like the National Board Certification and Teacher of the Year Awards due to their excellence in educating students through experiential learning methods which encourage creativity and problem-solving skills while providing an engaging education centered on community involvement.