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CITY · 2020 ACS

Salem

Massachusetts · 44,480 residents · 8.294 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $66,428. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $379,400. Despite a median home value of $379,400, the poverty rate sits 24% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 38.8
More educated
45% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
44,480
+10%since 2000
from 40,407 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,363 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 4,872 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.6
+6%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
37K39K41K43K45K1990201020202024Salem
202445K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$66,428
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,033 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,697
+66%since 2000
from $23,857 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
44.9%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 36.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.9%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7%
US avg: 10%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3.5%
US avg: 2%
Wholesale trade3.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$379,400
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $188,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,325
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $705 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
51.0%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 49.1% in 2000
49.0% rent
Afford Score
5.7
+34%since 2000
from 4.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic82.4%(33,277)
Black2.4%(966)
Hispanic / Latino11.2%(4,541)
Asian2%(797)
Other0%
Diversity Score34.9%(14,092)
2020
White, non-Hispanic68.5%(30,477)
Black4.1%(1,828)
Hispanic / Latino19.8%(8,785)
Asian2.8%(1,255)
Other3.6%(1,623)
Diversity Score59.5%(26,449)
Diversity Score
59
+70%since 2000
from 35 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
45.1%
+14.0 ptssince 2000
from 31.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.4%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 85.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
17.6%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 10.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.1 min
+51%since 2000
from 20.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
63.7%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 70.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
18.1%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.6%
−5.6 ptssince 2011
from 10.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.8%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 71.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
44.1%
−25.2 ptssince 2009
from 69.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.0%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
Female
56.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
Foreign born
14.5%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.4%
−93.0 ptssince 2013
from 95.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

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Pop 42,625
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Pop 44,750
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Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Swampscott
Income$134,386+102%
Home value$771,100+103%
Population15,277−66%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Marblehead
Income$182,132+174%
Home value$943,900+149%
Population20,413−55%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Lynn
Income$75,043+13%
Home value$510,100+34%
Population104,236+130%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Peabody
Income$96,657+46%
Home value$596,200+57%
Population55,953+23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Massachusetts?

Salem, Massachusetts has about 44,480 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Salem, Massachusetts earns about $66,428 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 $379,400, and the typical rent is about $1,325 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Massachusetts?

About 45.1% 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 15.9% 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 6,389 residents, a change of about 17 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 →