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CITY · 2010 ACS

Salinas

California · 150,441 residents · 23.515 sq mi
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The short version

Salinas has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $50,808. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $417,400. At a median age of 28.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Despite a median home value of $417,400, the poverty rate sits 31% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 28.8
US median: 37.2
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 74%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
150,441
Unchangedsince 2000
from 151,060 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,398 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 6,424 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
28.8
+1%since 2000
from 28.5 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
103K120K136K153K169K1990201020202024Salinas
2024162K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,808
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $43,720 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,474
+27%since 2000
from $14,495 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
30.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 31.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
18.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 16.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.411
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Agriculture, forestry, fishing19.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction19.1%
US avg: 1.4%
Information12.1%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Retail trade6.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 7%
Transportation & warehousing3.9%
US avg: 3.1%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$417,400
+74%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $189,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$998
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $725 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
35.9%
−14.3 ptssince 2000
from 50.1% in 2000
54.9% rent
Vacancy rate
6.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
50.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.7%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
8.2
+90%since 2000
from 4.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salinas on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic24.2%(36,535)
Black3%(4,569)
Hispanic / Latino64.1%(96,880)
Asian5.9%(8,840)
Other0%
Diversity Score62.3%(94,054)
2010
White, non-Hispanic15.5%(23,333)
Black1.6%(2,343)
Hispanic / Latino75%(112,799)
Asian5.8%(8,677)
Other1.2%(1,876)
Diversity Score49.8%(74,994)
Diversity Score
50
−20%since 2000
from 62 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
59.5%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 56.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
4.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.3 min
+29%since 2000
from 17.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
70.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 70.0% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
15.7%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
2.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
12.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.0% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
19.8%
−31.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Female
49.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Foreign born
37.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 37.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
5.2%
−45.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Salinas to nearby cities

SALINAS VS
Prunedale
Income$103,819+104%
Home value$833,400+100%
Population19,723−88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALINAS VS
Marina
Income$95,955+89%
Home value$818,700+96%
Population23,256−85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALINAS VS
Seaside
Income$85,311+68%
Home value$787,100+89%
Population31,636−80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALINAS VS
Monterey
Income$102,846+102%
Home value$1,076,300+158%
Population28,953−82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salinas, California?

Salinas, California has about 150,441 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salinas, California?

The typical household in Salinas, California earns about $50,808 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 $417,400, and the typical rent is about $998 a month.

How educated are people in Salinas, California?

About 13.5% 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 18.1% 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 41,664 residents, a change of about 38 percent over that period.

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

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