Rich people in Essex primarily reside in the "Golden Triangle" of West Essex—Chigwell, Loughton, and Buckhurst Hill—as well as affluent pockets near Brentwood, such as Shenfield and Hutton Mount. These areas feature high-value, exclusive, and often celebrity-filled neighborhoods with large mansions.
The richest part of Essex is Shenfield and Hutton Mount, where the households have about £52,983 left after tax. Located in the eastern part of Brentwood, Shenfield - and Hutton Mount - is widely regarded as one of the best places to live in Essex, according to Bairstow Eves.
Footballers such as legend Bobby Moore, Andy Carroll and Kurt Zouma have all owned properties in Chigwell. It is also home to reality TV stars such as Mark Wright and actress wife Michelle Keegan, as well as Love Islander Maura Higgins.
Stacey Solomon has revealed some of her Christmas decorations at her Essex home, Pickle Cottage, where she lives with husband Joe Swash and their children.
Saffron Walden is often listed among the best places to live in Essex. This market town blends natural beauty with primary and secondary schools rated highly by Ofsted. Families love the community feel and events like local markets and arts festivals.
Yes, Chigwell is widely considered a very affluent and wealthy area, known for its luxury homes, celebrity residents, and high standard of living, often described as part of Essex's "Golden Triangle" of affluent towns. It features leafy streets, large properties, and a mix of suburban calm with convenient access to London, attracting high-net-worth individuals and famous faces.
It may be no shock that the most expensive home was indeed in Saffron Walden - one of the most expensive areas of Essex. Saffron House, located in Saffron Walden, was the most expensive to sell in Essex in 2025. It sold for a whopping £5,100,000, according to HM Land Registry.
After Windsor, nearby Ascot has the most multi-millionaires, with 220. The remaining top 10 are all in the south east as well: Virginia Water, Leatherhead, Weybridge, Henley, Marlow Bray, Beaconsfield and Cookham.
Jaywick has been identified as the most deprived neighbourhood in England for the fourth time in a row. The UK has had six prime minsters since the seaside village near Clacton in Essex first received the label in 2011.
Canvey. Canvey (Image: Sue Chillingworth/Getty Images) Another town in south Essex and suggested by a handful as being among Essex's poshest places. Canvey is home to a number of popular businesses, pubs and other venues, and is a place many keen walkers visit.
Basildon is the most dangerous major town in Essex, and is among the top 20 most dangerous overall out of Essex's 315 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Basildon in 2025 was 100 crimes per 1,000 people.
These celebrities include Lord Alan Sugar, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Rod Stewart. This town has a very high standard of living and it is clear to see why it has become so desirable.
Yes, Loughton is generally considered an affluent and desirable area, part of Essex's "Golden Triangle," known for its mix of green space (Epping Forest), convenient London commute (Central Line), designer shops, restaurants, and high property values, attracting wealthier residents and celebrities, making it feel "posh" to many.
Belgravia. Located in central London, Belgravia is lavished with grand stucco houses, upscale boutiques, garden squares, international embassies, and Michelin-starred restaurants. ...
In last year's House Price Report published by Cardinal Steels and Online Marketing Surgery, the CM4 postcode, which covers Blackmore, had the most expensive average house prices in all of Essex - £834,530.
The University of Essex is one of the most international universities in the world – ranking 17th for international outlook in the Times Higher Education World University rankings.
While Mrs Hinch hasn't revealed much of her new home yet, we do know that Hinch Farm is situated in the Essex countryside. The sprawling abode overlooks grazing cows and rolling hills, so we imagine it is situated in a secluded spot.
