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CITY · 2020 ACS

Salinas

California · 163,542 residents · 23.515 sq mi
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The short version

Salinas has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $67,914. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $451,000. At a median age of 31.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 31.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 58%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
163,542
+8%since 2000
from 151,060 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,955 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 6,424 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
31.6
+11%since 2000
from 28.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
103K120K136K153K169K1990201020202024Salinas
2024162K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$67,914
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $43,720 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,707
+64%since 2000
from $14,495 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
45.4%
+14.2 ptssince 2009
from 31.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.2%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 16.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing22.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction22.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Information10.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.9%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services2.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$451,000
+58%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $189,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,492
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $725 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
44.2%
−6.0 ptssince 2000
from 50.1% in 2000
55.8% rent
Afford Score
6.6
+53%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic11.2%(18,351)
Black1.2%(1,927)
Hispanic / Latino79.6%(130,178)
Asian5.4%(8,870)
Other1.5%(2,532)
Diversity Score42.1%(68,872)
Diversity Score
42
−32%since 2000
from 62 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.0%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
62.8%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 56.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.5 min
+42%since 2000
from 17.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
71.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 70.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.4%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−6.3 ptssince 2011
from 11.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.1%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 67.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
21.9%
−29.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Female
49.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Foreign born
36.5%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 37.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.4%
−62.6 ptssince 2013
from 75.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Salinas to nearby cities

SALINAS VS
Prunedale
Income$103,819+53%
Home value$833,400+85%
Population19,723−88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALINAS VS
Marina
Income$95,955+41%
Home value$818,700+82%
Population23,256−85%
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SALINAS VS
Seaside
Income$85,311+26%
Home value$787,100+75%
Population31,636−80%
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SALINAS VS
Monterey
Income$102,846+51%
Home value$1,076,300+139%
Population28,953−82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salinas, California?

Salinas, California has about 163,542 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salinas, California?

The typical household in Salinas, California earns about $67,914 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 $451,000, and the typical rent is about $1,492 a month.

How educated are people in Salinas, California?

About 16.0% 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 14.2% 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 54,765 residents, a change of about 50 percent over that period.

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

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