Braintree is a town in Essex, England. The principal settlement of Braintree District, it is located 10 mi northeast of Chelmsford, 35 mi northwest of Southend-on-Sea, and 15 mi west of Colchester. According to the 2021 Census, the town had a population of 43,492, while the urban area, which includes Great Notley, Rayne, Tye Green and High Garrett, had a population of 55,792.