Salem, MA

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

44,795

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

39.3

2.08% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

12.1%

11.5% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$85,153

0.0188% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$542,800

9.13% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

25,579

0.926% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Salem, MA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.4% of the residents in Salem, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Salem, MA are Salem State University (1,659 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in Salem, MA was $542,800, and the homeownership rate was 49.7%.

Most people in Salem, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 28.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Salem, MA was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Sunset from Salem, MA

Photo by Henry Zbyszynski

United States Massachusetts Essex County, MA Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Essex County (Central)--Peabody, Danvers & Saugus PUMA, MA Essex County--Lynn & Nahant PUMA, MA Essex County (South Coastline)--Salem, Beverly & Gloucester PUMA, MA

Population & Diversity

Salem, MA is home to a population of 44.8k people, from which 94.4% are citizens. As of 2024, 16.1% of Salem, MA residents were born outside of the country (7.2k people).

In 2024, there were 8.61 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (29.8k people) in Salem, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.46k Other (Hispanic) and 2.85k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.4%

2024 Citizenship

95.1%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 94.4% of Salem, MA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Salem, MA was 95.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Salem, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Salem, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
29.8k ± 1.33k
Other (Hispanic)
3.46k ± 741
White (Hispanic)
2.85k ± 799

20.7%

Hispanic Population

9.29k people

20.7% of the people in Salem, MA are hispanic (9.29k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Salem, MA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.

Most Common Origin

Brazil
108,593 ± 8,028 people
Dominican Republic
106,391 ± 7,947 people
China
103,416 ± 7,837 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was Brazil, the natal country of 108,593 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 106,391 and China with 103,416.

Foreign-Born Population

16.1%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

7.2k people

15.4%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

6.8k people

As of 2024, 16.1% of Salem, MA residents (7.2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Salem, MA was 15.4%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Salem, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
701 ± 258
Gulf War (2001-)
199 ± 116
Gulf War (1990s)
167 ± 127

Salem, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.52 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Salem, MA.

Health

96.9% of the population of Salem, MA has health coverage, with 51% on employee plans, 21.8% on Medicaid, 11% on Medicare, 12.8% on non-group plans, and 0.318% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Massachusetts see 990 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (990 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 915 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 130 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45.5% were men and 54.5% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 17.7% under 18 years, 25.8% between 18 and 34 years, 39.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45.5% were men and 54.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

3.05%

Uninsured

51%

Employer Coverage

21.8%

Medicaid

11%

Medicare

12.8%

Non-Group

0.318%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Salem, MA grew by 20.7% from 2.53% to 3.05%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Salem, MA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of Salem, MA employs 25.6k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Salem, MA were Health Care & Social Assistance (4,044 people), Educational Services (3,069 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (3,001 people), and the highest paying industries were Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($202,500), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($191,354), and Utilities ($114,250).

Employment

Occupations

25.6k

2024 Value

± 1,378

−0.926%

1 Year decline

± 7.86%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Salem, MA declined at a rate of −0.926%, from 25.8k employees to 25.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Salem, MA, are Management Occupations (3,508 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,978 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,262 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Salem, MA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Massachusetts (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

25.6k

2024 Value

± 1,378

−0.926%

1 Year decline

± 7.86%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Salem, MA declined at a rate of −0.926%, from 25.8k employees to 25.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Salem, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,044 people), Educational Services (3,069 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (3,001 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Salem, MA, though some of these residents may live in Salem, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$62,009

Median earning men ± $6,910

$55,460

Median earning women ± $4,448

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($202,500), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($104,625), and Manufacturing ($99,286).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Construction ($111,567), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($78,221), and Manufacturing ($72,073).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Y-Axis

2.61%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.67M people employed in Massachusetts. This represents a 2.61% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 17.5%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Massachusetts.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Kamala Harris with 61.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36%), followed by Other (1.48%).

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing the state of Massachusetts. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Salem, MA. Showing the available data for Massachusetts.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (61.2%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (36%)
Republican Party
Other (1.48%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Kamala Harris with 61.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36%), followed by Other (1.48%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Massachusetts for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Massachusetts

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

Elizabeth Warren

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ed Markey

Senator from Massachusetts

Assumed office on July 16, 2013
Elected to the seat to succeed Mo Cowan, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of John Kerry, who had become Secretary of State.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/massachusetts-special-senate-election.html |title=Democrat Wins Special Election for Kerry's Senate Seat |work=The New York Times |date=June 25, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2020 |last1=Seelye |first1=Katharine Q. }}

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are the senators currently representing Massachusetts.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Massachusetts over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Salem, MA awarded 1,659 degrees. The student population of Salem, MA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 2,086 male students and 4,144 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Salem, MA are White (1,088 and 68.1%), Hispanic or Latino (283 and 17.7%), Black or African American (94 and 5.89%), and Asian (45 and 2.82%).

The largest universities in Salem, MA by number of degrees awarded are Salem State University (1,659 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Salem, MA are Registered Nursing (174 and 10.5%), Social Work (157 and 9.46%), and General Education (115 and 6.93%).

The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $910 for in-state students and $7,050 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Salem, MA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 95.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 11.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 6,230 (33.5% men and 66.5% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 6,230 students enrolled in Salem, MA, 33.5% men and 66.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,402 records, of which 65% were women and 35% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
174 degrees awarded
General Psychology
97 degrees awarded
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
83 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Salem, MA was Registered Nursing with 174 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Salem, MA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Salem State University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,659 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Salem State University with 1,659 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 440 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Salem, MA, which is 0.361 times less than the 1,219 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,088 degrees mean that there were 3.84 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 283 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($910) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($11,428) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Salem, MA was $542,800 in 2024, which is 1.63 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $497,400 to $542,800, a 9.13% increase. The homeownership rate in Salem, MA is 49.7%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Salem, MA have an average commute time of 28.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Salem, MA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$542,800

Median Property Value 2024

±$17,690

$10,073

Median Property Taxes

±$729

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Salem, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Salem, MA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

49.7%

Homeownership

2024

61.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 49.7% of the housing units in Salem, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 51.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Salem, MA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$85,153

Median Household Income

± $5,154

20.3k

Number of Households

± 1,325

In 2024, the median household income of the 20.3k households in Salem, MA grew to $85,153 from the previous year's value of $85,137.

The following chart displays the households in Salem, MA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Salem, MA is from Massachusetts.

0.477

2024 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.478

2023 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2024, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.477 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.306% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Massachusetts in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Massachusetts across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (55.9%)
Worked At Home (21.6%)
Walked (6.65%)

In 2024, 55.9% of workers in Salem, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (21.6%) and those who walked to work (6.65%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

28.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Salem, MA have a longer commute time (28.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.45% of the workforce in Salem, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Salem, MA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Salem, MA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Salem, MA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

12.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Salem, MA (5.25k out of 43.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 65 - 74.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Salem, MA is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.