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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Salem

Oregon · 136,924 residents · 48.931 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $38,881. Population has grown 27% since 1990. Median home value has more than doubled since 1990, reaching $126,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 33.6
US median: 35.2
Average education
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 59%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
136,924
+27%since 1990
from 107,786 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,798 / sq mi
+27%since 1990
from 2,203 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
33.6
+1%since 1990
from 33.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
101K122K143K165K186K1990201020202024Salem
2024179K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,881
+17%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $25,236 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,141
+51%since 1990
from $12,641 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
15.0%
+0.5 ptssince 1990
from 14.5% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$126,300
+59%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $60,200 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$560
+10%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $387 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
57.1%
+2.4 ptssince 1990
from 54.7% in 1990
42.9% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+36%since 1990
from 2.4 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic91.2%(98,343)
Black1.4%(1,497)
Hispanic / Latino5.8%(6,207)
Asian2.4%(2,634)
Diversity Score31.2%(33,668)
2000
White, non-Hispanic77.7%(106,331)
Black1.2%(1,621)
Hispanic / Latino14.6%(19,973)
Asian2.4%(3,268)
Diversity Score39.9%(54,624)
Diversity Score
40
+28%since 1990
from 31 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.1%
+2.4 ptssince 1990
from 21.7% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
81.5%
Unchangedsince 1990
from 81.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
8.8%
+0.9 ptssince 1990
from 7.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.4 min
−12%since 1990
from 17.5 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.

Explore

Neighborhoods in Salem

Faye WrightMorningsideNorth East SalemNorthgateSouth GatewaySoutheast Mill CreekWest SalemNeighborhoods in Salem
Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

Spring Valley
Pop 219,187
Fort Lauderdale
Pop 188,677
Grand Rapids
Pop 201,183
Palm Bay
Pop 148,092
Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Four Corners
Income$69,669+79%
Home value$340,200+169%
Population16,275−91%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Hayesville
Income$58,624+51%
Home value$365,400+189%
Population21,246−88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Keizer
Income$84,813+118%
Home value$434,100+244%
Population39,140−78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Independence
Income$85,375+120%
Home value$378,800+200%
Population10,195−94%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Oregon?

Salem, Oregon has about 136,924 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Salem, Oregon?

The typical household in Salem, Oregon earns about $38,881 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, Oregon expensive?

In Salem, Oregon, the median home is worth about $126,300, and the typical rent is about $560 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Oregon?

About 24.1% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, Oregon hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, Oregon?

About 15.0% of people in Salem, Oregon live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, Oregon grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, Oregon has grown since 1990. The population has added about 29,138 residents, a change of about 27 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 →