Braintree is a town in Essex, England, and is the principal settlement of Braintree District. It is located 10 miles north-east of Chelmsford, 15 miles west of Colchester and 35 miles north-west of Southend-on-Sea. According to the 2021 Census, the town had a population of 43,492; the urban area, which includes Great Notley, Rayne, Tye Green and High Garrett, had a population of 55,793.