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CITY · 2020 ACS

Salem

Oregon · 175,535 residents · 48.931 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $58,726. Population has grown 28% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $266,200.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.3
US median: 38.8
Average education
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
175,535
+28%since 2000
from 136,924 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,587 / sq mi
+28%since 2000
from 2,798 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.3
+8%since 2000
from 33.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
101K122K143K165K186K1990201020202024Salem
2024179K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,726
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,881 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,608
+55%since 2000
from $19,141 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
38.0%
+13.6 ptssince 2009
from 24.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.7%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$266,200
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $126,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,034
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $560 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
55.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 57.1% in 2000
44.6% rent
Afford Score
4.5
+40%since 2000
from 3.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic77.7%(106,331)
Black1.2%(1,621)
Hispanic / Latino14.6%(19,973)
Asian2.4%(3,268)
Other0%
Diversity Score39.9%(54,624)
2020
White, non-Hispanic63.5%(111,430)
Black1.6%(2,812)
Hispanic / Latino23.5%(41,302)
Asian3.1%(5,446)
Other6.8%(11,915)
Diversity Score65.2%(114,451)
Diversity Score
65
+63%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.6%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 24.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.3%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 81.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.5%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.7 min
+47%since 2000
from 15.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
73.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 73.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.2%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 62.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.9%
−27.6 ptssince 2009
from 63.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Female
49.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Foreign born
10.9%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.1%
−75.9 ptssince 2013
from 83.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Salem

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

Places similar to Salem

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Pop 219,187
Fort Lauderdale
Pop 188,677
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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+19%
Home value$340,200+28%
Population16,275−91%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Hayesville
Income$58,624same
Home value$365,400+37%
Population21,246−88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Keizer
Income$84,813+44%
Home value$434,100+63%
Population39,140−78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Independence
Income$85,375+45%
Home value$378,800+42%
Population10,195−94%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Oregon?

Salem, Oregon has about 175,535 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, Oregon?

The typical household in Salem, Oregon earns about $58,726 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 $266,200, and the typical rent is about $1,034 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Oregon?

About 29.6% 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 15.3% 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 67,749 residents, a change of about 63 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 →