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METRO AREA · 2020 ACS

Salinas Metro

Salinas, CA · 1 counties · 439,035 residents · 3,281.718 sq mi
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The short version

Salinas is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $76,943. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $559,400.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 46%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
439,035
+9%since 2000
from 401,762 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
134 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 122 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.0
+10%since 2000
from 31.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
347K372K397K422K447K1990201020202024Salinas
2024438K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$76,943
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,305 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,122
+59%since 2000
from $20,165 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
51.2%
+12.3 ptssince 2009
from 38.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing15.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction15.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Information9.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.4%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance3.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
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
$559,400
+46%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $254,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,600
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $776 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
50.9%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 54.6% in 2000
49.1% rent
Afford Score
7.3
+38%since 2000
from 5.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salinas on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic40.3%(162,045)
Black3.5%(14,085)
Hispanic / Latino46.8%(187,969)
Asian5.8%(23,203)
Other0%
Diversity Score73.1%(293,532)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic27.4%(120,077)
Black2.1%(9,051)
Hispanic / Latino60.4%(265,321)
Asian5.7%(25,123)
Other3.5%(15,442)
Diversity Score68.3%(300,072)
Segregation Score54.2%(237,907)
Diversity Score
68
−6%since 2000
from 73 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
54
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.2%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 22.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
73.0%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 68.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
10.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.0 min
+51%since 2000
from 15.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
71.4%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 69.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.3%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
−5.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.4%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 64.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.4%
−26.9 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.9%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Female
49.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Foreign born
29.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 29.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.4%
−69.0 ptssince 2013
from 78.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
In this metro

Principal cities

SalinasCENTRAL159,134
What's inside

1 component county

Monterey CountyCENTRAL433,729
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Salinas

Santa Maria
Pop 442,065
Vallejo
Pop 455,376
Manchester
Pop 433,415
Anchorage
Pop 405,821
Places similar to Salinas
Head to head

Compare Salinas side by side

SALINAS VS
Santa Maria
Income$98,161+28%
Home value$790,700+41%
Population442,065+2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALINAS VS
Vallejo
Income$100,401+30%
Home value$617,700+10%
Population455,376+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALINAS VS
Manchester
Income$103,545+35%
Home value$421,100−25%
Population433,415same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALINAS VS
Anchorage
Income$100,683+31%
Home value$382,042−32%
Population405,821−6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salinas, CA?

Salinas, CA has about 439,035 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salinas, CA?

The typical household in Salinas, CA earns about $76,943 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salinas, CA expensive?

In Salinas, CA, the median home is worth about $559,400, and the typical rent is about $1,600 a month.

How educated are people in Salinas, CA?

About 26.2% of adults age 25 and over in Salinas, CA hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salinas, CA?

About 12.0% of people in Salinas, CA live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salinas, CA grown since 1990?

Yes, Salinas, CA has grown since 1990. The population has added about 83,375 residents, a change of about 23 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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