Total population

22,970

0.2 % year-over-year change

Median household income

$108,000/yr

Private dwellings

8,232

Essa population

How many people live in Essa

Essa is home to 22,970 residents, based on Statistics Canada's 2024 population estimate. Of these, 50.7% identify as male and 49.3% as female.

Total population

22,970

0.2% year-over-year change

Population density

82.1/km2

Gender ratio

Male

50.7%

11,645

Female

49.3%

11,325

	Value	Percent
Male	11,645	50.7%
Female	11,325	49.3%

A larger population often brings more rental variety and a busier pace of life. The gender breakdown, namely the ratio of men to women in the area, offers clues about the community’s vibe and social landscape.

Age demographics

The average age in Essa is 37.9. Children under 15 make up 20.2% of the population, while youth and young adults account for 11.1%. Those in their working years are spread across the following age groups: 14.3% are 25 to 34, 15.1% are 35 to 44, and 13.5% are 45 to 54. Adults nearing retirement—aged 55 to 64—represent 14% of the population, while seniors 65 and over make up 11.9%.

Average age

37.9

Age breakdown

Under 15: 20.2%
15 to 24: 11.1%
25 to 34: 14.3%
35 to 44: 15.1%
45 to 54: 13.5%
55 to 64: 14%
Over 65: 11.9%

	Value	Percent
Under 15	4,630	20.2%
15 to 24	2,555	11.1%
25 to 34	3,290	14.3%
35 to 44	3,465	15.1%
45 to 54	3,100	13.5%
55 to 64	3,205	14%
Over 65	2,725	11.9%

Age distribution gives you a glimpse into who makes up the area. Younger communities might feel more energetic or student-friendly, while older ones tend to be calmer and more settled. A mix of age groups usually means a balance of parks, schools, healthcare, and other services for all walks of life.

Residence status

In Essa, 87.8% of residents were born in Canada, while 11.8% have settled here from abroad. Another 0.4% are non-permanent residents, such as temporary workers or international students.

Immigration status

Non-immigrants: 87.8%
Immigrants: 11.8%
Non-permanent residents: 0.4%

	Value	Percent
Non-immigrants	20,005	87.8%
Immigrants	2,680	11.8%
Non-permanent residents	100	0.4%

Minority breakdown

Minorities: 9.8%
Non-minorities: 90.2%

	Value	Percent
Minorities	2,240	9.8%
Non-minorities	20,545	90.2%

Knowing how many people in the area are newcomers, temporary residents, or Canadian-born can give you a feel for how established or internationally connected a community is. It may also hint at the kind of services, food, and cultural touchpoints you’ll find nearby.

Languages used in Essa

English: 95.2%
French: 4.1%
English and French: 0.3%
Neither English nor French: 0.4%

	Value	Percent
English	21,845	95.2%
French	940	4.1%
English and French	70	0.3%
Neither English nor French	90	0.4%

Primary languages spoken

According to the latest Census data, 95.2% of people in Essa speak English as their primary language, 4.1% communicate mainly in French, 0.3% are bilingual, and 0.4% use other languages.

Language use shapes everything from signage to services. Whether you're looking for bilingual support or just curious about the local vibe, these stats give a quick peek at how people connect day-to-day.

Households in Essa

A peek inside Essa households

Essa has 7,950 households, with an average of 2.9 people living in each. One-person households make up 16.3% of all homes, while 33% are shared by two people. Three-person households represent 18.4%, and homes with four or more people account for 32.3% of the total.

Households stats

Total households

7,950

Average people per household

2.9

1 person: 16.3%
2 persons: 33%
3 persons: 18.4%
4 persons: 19.5%
5 or more persons: 12.8%

	Value	Percent
1 person	1,295	16.3%
2 persons	2,620	33%
3 persons	1,465	18.4%
4 persons	1,550	19.5%
5 or more persons	1,015	12.8%

Household size can reveal a lot about how people live in the area. More one- and two-person homes might hint at a mix of young professionals or empty nesters, while larger households often reflect families or multi-generational setups. It’s a good indicator of the kinds of rentals and living spaces you'll find nearby.

Housing in Essa

The housing landscape of Essa

Essa has a total of 8,232 private dwellings. Among the occupied dwellings, 76.9% are single-detached houses, 20.9% are attached homes such as townhouses or semi-detached units, and 0.8% are apartments. When it comes to space, Essa offers a variety of home sizes: 3% of occupied homes have 1 bedroom or less, 61% have 2–3 bedrooms, and 36.3% have 4 or more bedrooms.

Total private dwellings

8,232

Housing types

Single-detached homes: 76.9%
Attached homes: 20.9%
Apartments: 0.8%
Movable homes: 1.4%

	Value	Percent
Single-detached homes	6,110	76.9%
Attached homes	1,660	20.9%
Apartments	60	0.8%
Movable homes	115	1.4%

Housing size

1 or no bedrooms: 3%
2 or 3 bedrooms: 61%
4 or more bedrooms: 36.3%

	Value	Percent
1 or no bedrooms	225	3%
2 or 3 bedrooms	4,835	61%
4 or more bedrooms	2,885	36.3%

Homes built since 2011

1,615

The age of buildings in Essa

About 7.6% of homes were built before 1945, followed by 9.4% between 1946 and 1960. Another 7.2% went up in the 1960s, 12.1% in the 1970s, and 14.5% during the 1980s. Between 1991 and 2000, 13.4% of homes were added, and 15.5% were developed between 2001 and 2010.

Construction year breakdown by decade

	Value	Percent
Before 1945	605	7.6%
Between 1946 and 1960	745	9.4%
Between 1961 and 1970	575	7.2%
Between 1971 and 1980	960	12.1%
Between 1981 and 1990	1,155	14.5%
Between 1991 and 2000	1,070	13.4%
Between 2001 and 2010	1,230	15.5%
After 2011	1,615	20.3%

As a renter, knowing when homes were built helps you understand the potential condition and design of rental units. Newer builds may have more contemporary layouts, while older homes can offer character or larger lots, depending on the area.

Essa occupancy rates

In Essa, there are 7,949 occupied private dwellings, of which 80.6% are owner-occupied and 19.4% are rented. Meanwhile, 283 dwellings sit vacant.

Occupied dwellings

7,949

Occupancy breakdown

Rented households: 19.4%
Owned households: 80.6%

	Value	Percent
Rented households	1,540	19.4%
Owned households	6,410	80.6%

Unoccupied dwellings

283

Understanding whether homes are owned or rented gives insight into the housing market’s stability and flexibility. High ownership rates may point to longer-term residents and more stable neighbourhoods, while a greater share of rentals can indicate mobility, availability, or housing diversity. Vacancy levels can also hint at supply-and-demand dynamics for renters.

Shelter costs

In Essa, homeowners pay a median of $1,700 per month on shelter costs, while renters spend around $1,110. About 83.4% of households spend less than 30% of their income on housing, while 16.6% exceed that threshold.

Median monthly shelter costs for owned dwellings

$1,700

Median monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings

$1,110

Income spent on housing

<30% on shelter: 83.4%
≥30% on shelter: 16.6%

	Value	Percent
<30% on shelter	6,515	83.4%
≥30% on shelter	1,300	16.6%

Shelter cost includes all monthly expenses tied to housing—like rent or mortgage, property taxes, utilities, and additional fees. Owners usually cover a wider range of costs, while renters typically just pay rent plus basic services. Comparing these numbers gives a clearer view of what living in the area actually costs, and whether households are stretched beyond the 30% affordability benchmark.

Education in Essa

Essa education at a glance

In Essa, educational attainment varies across the community. About 15.7% of residents have no formal diploma, while 34.7% have completed high school and 8.2% hold an apprenticeship certificate. Meanwhile, 24.5% have graduated from college. Finally, 1.7% earned a non-bachelor university diploma, and 15.2% hold a university degree.

Education level

	Value	Percent
No diploma	2,850	15.7%
High school diploma	6,300	34.7%
Apprenticeship diploma	1,500	8.2%
College diploma	4,455	24.5%
University diploma (below bachelor diploma)	310	1.7%
University degree	2,760	15.2%

Education levels give a snapshot of the local talent pool and job readiness. A strong share of college and university graduates can mean better access to skilled jobs, while trades and apprenticeship diplomas often support hands-on industries. For renters, these stats help paint a picture of the economic opportunities and workforce makeup in the area.

Income in Essa

How much people earn in Essa

In Essa, the median household income sits at $108,000, while the median after-tax household income is $93,000.

Median household income

$108,000/year

Median after-tax household income

$93,000/year

Household income—especially after tax—offers one of the clearest indicators of how affordable a place might feel. It also helps renters understand earning power in the area, whether they're budgeting for rent or comparing communities with similar price tags. Local income trends can reveal whether the economy is growing, steady, or facing challenges.

Essa income by age

Young adults in Essa between 15 and 24 have a median income of $18,200, often reflecting part-time or early career work. For those aged 25 to 34, when many are advancing in their jobs, the figure rises to $50,400, and by 35 to 44 it reaches $62,400. Among individuals 45 to 54, the median wage is $63,200, followed by $50,800 for those in their pre-retirement years. Finally, residents over 65, many of whom are already retired, typically earn $34,800.

Income breakdown by age

	Value
15 - 24	18,200
25 - 34	50,400
35 - 44	62,400
45 - 54	63,200
55 - 64	50,800
Over 65	34,800

Employment in Essa

Workforce and job sectors in Essa

In Essa, 12,805 residents are part of the labour force, with an unemployment rate of 10.7%. The local economy spans a wide range of sectors. Notably, sales and service, trades and transport, and business, finance and administration employ the largest shares of the working population, shaping the city's job market.

Workforce demographics

Labour force

12,805

Unemployment rate

10.7%

Major job markets

	Value	Percent
Management	105	0.8%
Business, finance and administration	1,945	15.6%
Natural and applied sciences	555	4.4%
Health	740	5.9%
Education, law, community and government services	1,825	14.6%
Art, culture, recreation and sport	235	1.9%
Sales and service	2,905	23.2%
Trades and transport	2,815	22.5%
Natural resources and agriculture	440	3.5%
Manufacturing and utilities	945	7.6%

Knowing what kinds of jobs dominate the area can help you understand local culture, income levels, and day-to-day rhythms. When looking for a community that suits your lifestyle, these labour stats offer helpful clues.

Transportation in Essa

How people get around in Essa

In Essa, the average commute is 29 minutes. About 95.9% of residents get to work by car, truck, or van, while 0.2% rely on public transit and 2.2% walk or bike. The remaining 1.7% use other methods, such as scooters or motorcycles.

Average commute time

29 min

Travel time

Less than 15 minutes: 27.4%
15 to 29 minutes: 34.9%
30 to 44 minutes: 12.8%
45 to 59 minutes: 7.8%
More than 60 minutes: 17.1%

	Value	Percent
Less than 15 minutes	2,555	27.4%
15 to 29 minutes	3,255	34.9%
30 to 44 minutes	1,195	12.8%
45 to 59 minutes	725	7.8%
More than 60 minutes	1,590	17.1%

Means of transportation

	Value	Percent
By car, truck or van	8,940	95.9%
By public transit	20	0.2%
By bicycle/by walking	200	2.2%
By other methods	160	1.7%

Commute trends hint at both the layout and vibe of a place. If most people drive or take transit, the area may be more spread out. Shorter commutes suggest convenient access to jobs, while longer ones may confirm the area’s low-density layout.

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FAQs about Essa demographics

What is the current total population in Essa?

Essa has a population of 22,970, according to Statistics Canada’s official 2024 figure, as published in their Annual Demographic Estimates: Subprovincial Areas report. This represents a +0.2% change compared to the previous year.

What is the population density of Essa?

Essa has a population density of 82.1 people per square kilometre.

What is the gender distribution in Essa?

Essa has the following gender distribution:

50.7% males (11,645 residents)
49.3% females (11,325 residents)

What is the age distribution of Essa residents?

The age distribution of Essa residents is as follows:

Under 15: 20.2% (4,630 residents)
15-24: 11.1% (2,555 residents)
25-34: 14.3% (3,290 residents)
35-44: 15.1% (3,465 residents)
45-54: 13.5% (3,100 residents)
55-64: 14% (3,205 residents)
Over 64: 11.9% (2,725 residents)

What is the population distribution by immigration status in Essa?

Here’s the population distribution by immigration status in Essa:

87.8% non-immigrants (20,005 residents)
11.8% immigrants (2,680 residents)
0.4% non-permanent residents (100 residents)

What are the primary languages spoken in Essa?

Here’s a breakdown of the languages spoken in Essa:

English: 95.2%
French: 4.1%
English and French: 0.3%
Neither English nor French: 0.4%

What is the typical household size in Essa?

The typical household size in Essa is 2.9 people.

What is the median household income in Essa?

The median household income in Essa is $108,000 annually, according to Statistics Canada’s latest release—Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population.

What is the educational attainment level of Essa residents?

The educational attainment breakdown in Essa is as follows:

No diploma: 15.7% (2,850 residents)
High school diploma: 34.7% (6,300 residents)
Apprenticeship diploma: 8.2% (1,500 residents)
College diploma: 24.5% (4,455 residents)
University diploma (below bachelor): 1.7% (310 residents)
University degree: 15.2% (2,760 residents)

What are the most common occupations in Essa?

The most common occupations in Essa fall within the sectors listed below:

Art, culture, recreation and sport: 1.9%
Business, finance and administration: 15.6%
Education, law, community and government services: 14.6%
Health: 5.9%
Management: 0.8%
Manufacturing and utilities: 7.6%
Natural and applied sciences: 4.4%
Natural resources and agriculture: 3.5%
Sales and service: 23.2%
Trades and transport: 22.5%

Data source & methodology

Demographic data shown in this section was gathered from the latest census data from Statistics Canada (2021), with the total population figure reflecting the official 2024 population estimate.
Census aggregated data represented here is extracted from Data Tables, by topic, at the census subdivision area level.
Differences may be found between the totals of the various categories due to multiple variables.
The information is updated as soon as new data is made available. No representation, guarantee or warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information.

Page last updated: September 2025

Essa, ON demographics:population, income, and more