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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Salem

Massachusetts · 40,407 residents · 8.294 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $44,033. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value is $188,300.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 36.4
US median: 35.2
More educated
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 12%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
40,407
+6%since 1990
from 38,091 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,872 / sq mi
+6%since 1990
from 4,593 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
36.4
+9%since 1990
from 33.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
37K39K41K43K45K1990201020202024Salem
202445K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,033
+2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $32,645 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,857
+48%since 1990
from $16,155 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
9.7%
−2.0 ptssince 1990
from 11.7% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$188,300
−12%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $161,900 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$705
−12%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $608 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
49.1%
+3.1 ptssince 1990
from 46.0% in 1990
50.9% rent
Afford Score
4.3
−14%since 1990
from 5.0 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic93.1%(35,481)
Black2.7%(1,017)
Hispanic / Latino6.1%(2,330)
Asian1%(378)
Diversity Score28.1%(10,691)
2000
White, non-Hispanic82.4%(33,277)
Black2.4%(966)
Hispanic / Latino11.2%(4,541)
Asian2%(797)
Diversity Score34.9%(14,092)
Diversity Score
35
+24%since 1990
from 28 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.1%
+6.6 ptssince 1990
from 24.5% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
85.2%
+7.0 ptssince 1990
from 78.2% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
10.2%
+1.8 ptssince 1990
from 8.5% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.6 min
−4%since 1990
from 21.5 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.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

Princeton
Pop 42,625
Cutler Bay
Pop 44,750
Meadow Woods
Pop 42,852
Clermont
Pop 52,812
Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Swampscott
Income$134,386+205%
Home value$771,100+310%
Population15,277−66%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Marblehead
Income$182,132+314%
Home value$943,900+401%
Population20,413−55%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Lynn
Income$75,043+70%
Home value$510,100+171%
Population104,236+130%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Peabody
Income$96,657+120%
Home value$596,200+217%
Population55,953+23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Massachusetts?

Salem, Massachusetts has about 40,407 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Salem, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Salem, Massachusetts earns about $44,033 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, Massachusetts expensive?

In Salem, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $188,300, and the typical rent is about $705 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Massachusetts?

About 31.1% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, Massachusetts?

About 9.7% of people in Salem, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, Massachusetts has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,316 residents, a change of about 6 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →