Essex County, Massachusetts

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Essex County is a county in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of the 2020 census, the population was 809,829, making it the third-most populous county in the state. The county seat is Salem, although the county government was abolished in 1999.

History

Essex County was created by the Massachusetts General Court on May 10, 1643, as one of the four original counties of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The county was named after the county of Essex in England. The county has a rich history, including its role in the Salem witch trials of 1692.

Geography

Essex County is bordered by Rockingham County, New Hampshire to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Suffolk County to the south, and Middlesex County to the west. The county has a total area of 828 square miles, of which 493 square miles is land and 336 square miles is water.

Major Rivers

• Merrimack River
• Ipswich River
• Parker River

Major Bodies of Water

• Lake Quannapowitt
• Chebacco Lake
• Wenham Lake

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population of Essex County was 809,829. The county is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Government

Essex County's government was abolished in 1999, and its functions were transferred to the state government. However, the county still exists as a geographic and statistical entity.

Education

Essex County is home to several institutions of higher education, including:

• Salem State University
• Endicott College
• Merrimack College

Transportation

Essex County is served by several major highways, including:

• Interstate 95
• U.S. Route 1
• Massachusetts Route 128

Public transportation is provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), which operates several commuter rail lines and bus routes in the county.

Economy

The economy of Essex County is diverse, with significant contributions from the healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors. The county is also known for its tourism industry, particularly in historic towns such as Salem and Newburyport.

Notable People

• John Adams, second President of the United States
• Nathaniel Hawthorne, author
• John Greenleaf Whittier, poet

Related Pages

• Salem, Massachusetts
• Middlesex County, Massachusetts
• Suffolk County, Massachusetts
• Rockingham County, New Hampshire
• Massachusetts Bay Colony
• Salem witch trials