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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Salinas

California · 151,060 residents · 23.515 sq mi
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The short version

Salinas has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $43,720. Population has grown 39% since 1990. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $189,500. At a median age of 28.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Despite a median home value of $189,500, the poverty rate sits 34% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 28.5
US median: 35.2
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 10%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

151,060
+39%since 1990
from 108,777 in 1990
1990 – 2025
6,424 / sq mi
+39%since 1990
from 4,626 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
28.5
+2%since 1990
from 27.9 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
103K120K136K153K169K1990201020202024Salinas
2024162K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$43,720
+6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $31,271 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$14,495
+28%since 1990
from $11,351 in 1990
US average: $21,522
16.7%
+1.1 ptssince 1990
from 15.6% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$189,500
−10%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $160,300 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$725
−5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $580 in 1990
US average: $602
50.1%
+3.9 ptssince 1990
from 46.3% in 1990
49.9% rent
4.3
−15%since 1990
from 5.1 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salinas on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic54.7%(59,538)
Black3%(3,242)
Hispanic / Latino50%(54,428)
Asian8%(8,685)
Diversity Score87.5%(95,208)
2000
White, non-Hispanic24.2%(36,535)
Black3%(4,569)
Hispanic / Latino64.1%(96,880)
Asian5.9%(8,840)
Diversity Score62.3%(94,054)
62
−29%since 1990
from 88 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

12.3%
−0.7 ptssince 1990
from 13.0% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
56.0%
−6.3 ptssince 1990
from 62.3% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
4.0%
+0.2 ptssince 1990
from 3.7% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

17.3 min
−2%since 1990
from 17.7 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Salinas, California?

Salinas, California has about 151,060 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Salinas, California?

The typical household in Salinas, California earns about $43,720 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salinas, California expensive?

In Salinas, California, the median home is worth about $189,500, and the typical rent is about $725 a month.

How educated are people in Salinas, California?

About 12.3% of adults age 25 and over in Salinas, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salinas, California?

About 16.7% of people in Salinas, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salinas, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Salinas, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 42,283 residents, a change of about 39 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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