Salem, MA

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Population

43,146

0.799% growth

Median Age

36.2


Median Household Income

$65,528

7.26% growth

Poverty Rate

15.3%


Number of Employees

23,540

2.37% growth

Median Property Value

$331,300

4.38% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Salem, MA had a population of 43.1k people with a median age of 36.2 and a median household income of $65,528. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Salem, MA grew from 42,804 to 43,146, a 0.799% increase and its median household income grew from $61,093 to $65,528, a 7.26% increase.

The population of Salem, MA is 71.8% White Alone, 17.6% Hispanic or Latino, and 4.87% Black or African American Alone. 23.3% of the people in Salem, MA speak a non-English language, and 94.2% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Salem, MA are Salem State University (2,306 degrees awarded in 2016).

The median property value in Salem, MA is $331,300, and the homeownership rate is 50.7%. Most people in Salem, MA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 28.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Salem, MA is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Sunset from Salem, MA

Photo by Henry Zbyszynski

United StatesMassachusettsEssex County, MABoston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NHSalem, Beverly, Gloucester & Newburyport Cities PUMA, MAPeabody City, Danvers, Reading, North Reading & Lynnfield Towns PUMA, MA

Economy

The economy of Salem, MA employs 23.5k people. The largest industries in Salem, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,213 people), Educational Services (2,609 people), and Retail Trade (2,577 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($71,316), Finance & Insurance ($65,027), and Utilities ($64,896).

Median household income in Salem, MA is $65,528. Males in Salem, MA have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $62,850. The income inequality in Salem, MA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.485, which is higher than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$65,528

2017 value

± $3,702

7.26%

1 Year Growth

± 7.06%

Households in Salem, MA have a median annual income of $65,528, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $61,093 in 2016, which represents a 7.26% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Salem, MA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$84,043

Average Male Salary

± $1,786

$62,850

Average Female Salary

± $1,306

In 2017, full-time male employees in Salem, MA made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Salem, MA by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $68,516 ± $4,051

  2. White

    $64,668 ± $1,113

  3. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

    $49,586 ± $39,015

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Salem, MA workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.06 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Salem, MA by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.485

2017 Wage GINI

0.485

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.485 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0457% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 2032

  2. Census Tract 2176

  3. Census Tract 2045

In 2017, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Salem, MA was Census Tract 2032 with a value of $109,773, followed by Census Tract 2176 and Census Tract 2045, with respective values of $92,310 and $70,938.

The following map shows all of the places in Salem, MA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Salem, MA (6.31k out of 41.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 55 - 64.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    3,720 ± 459

  2. Hispanic

    2,612 ± 461

  3. Other

    1,426 ± 377

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

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

23.5k

2017 Value

± 1,141

2.37%

1 Year growth

± 6.62%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Salem, MA grew at a rate of 2.37%, from 23k employees to 23.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Salem, MA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,966 people), Management Occupations (2,406 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,370 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Salem, MA.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Salem, MA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,966 people), Management Occupations (2,406 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,370 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Salem, MA has an unusually high number of residents working as Community & Social Service Occupations (1.63 times higher than expected), Healthcare Support Occupations (1.51 times), and Personal Care & Service Occupations (1.4 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Salem, MA, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($101,384), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($87,411), and Legal Occupations ($74,667).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

23.5k

2017 Value

± 1,141

2.37%

1 Year growth

± 6.62%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Salem, MA grew at a rate of 2.37%, from 23k employees to 23.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Salem, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,213 people), Educational Services (2,609 people), and Retail Trade (2,577 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Salem, MA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,213 people), Educational Services (2,609 people), and Retail Trade (2,577 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Salem, MA has an unusually high number of Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (1.47 times higher than expected), Health Care & Social Assistance (1.29 times), and Finance & Insurance (1.21 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Salem, MA, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($71,316), Finance & Insurance ($65,027), and Utilities ($64,896).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Gasoline

    $31.5B

  2. Mixed freight

    $27.2B

  3. Electronics

    $24.1B

In 2015, the top outbound Massachusetts product (by dollars) was Gasoline with $31.5B, followed by Mixed freight with $27.2B and Electronics and $24.1B.

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Massachusetts products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts state.

$240B

2015 Value

$364B

Projected 2045 Value

51.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $240B. This is expected to increase 51.4% to $364B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Massachusetts trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. New Hampshire

    $13.2B

  2. New York

    $13.2B

  3. Connecticut

    $12.7B

In 2015, the top outbound Massachusetts domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New Hampshire with $13.2B, followed by New York with $13.2B and Connecticut and $12.7B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Massachusetts shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

97% of the population of Salem, MA has health coverage, with 51.1% on employee plans, 24.4% on Medicaid, 9.34% on Medicare, 11.7% on non-group plans, and 0.505% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the place of Salem, MA was $10,559 in 2014. This is a 2.78% increase from the previous year ($10,273).

Primary care physicians in Salem, MA see 954 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.421% increase from the previous year (950 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1010 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 185 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Bristol County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (11.4%). Additionally, Bristol County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (29.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

954 to 1

Primary Care Physicians

Primary care physicians in Massachusetts see an average of 954 patients per year. This represents a 0.421% increase from the previous year (950 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Massachusetts in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

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

$10,559

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$5,302

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,922

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,899

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Massachusetts (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 2.78%, from $10,273 to $10,559.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

2.97%

Uninsured

51.1%

Employer Coverage

24.4%

Medicaid

9.34%

Medicare

11.7%

Non-Group

0.505%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Salem, MA declined by 9.24% from 3.28% to 2.97%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Bristol County

    11.4% prevalence

  2. Hampden County

    11.1% prevalence

  3. Plymouth County

    10.8% prevalence

Bristol County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Massachusetts, at 11.4%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Massachusetts by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Salem, MA is home to a population of 43.1k people, from which 94.2% are citizens. As of 2017, 14.4% of Salem, MA residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of Salem, MA is composed of 31k White Alone residents (71.8%), 7.58k Hispanic or Latino residents (17.6%), 2.1k Black or African American Alone residents (4.87%), 1.1k Two or More Races residents (2.56%), 1.1k Asian Alone residents (2.54%), 175 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.406%), 103 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.239%), and 0 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Salem, MA are Spanish or Spanish Creole (5,427 speakers), Portuguese or Portuguese Creole (548 speakers), and Other Indo-European Languages (524 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

34

Median Native-Born Age

± 1.1

46

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 3.1

In 2017, the median age of all people in Salem, MA was 36.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 34, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 46. But people in Salem, MA are getting getting younger. In 2016, the average age of all Salem, MA residents was 36.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

14.4%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

14.9%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 14.4% of Salem, MA residents were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Salem, MA was 14.9%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

  1. China

    88,014 ± 7,236 people

  2. Dominican Republic

    84,884 ± 7,108 people

  3. Brazil

    66,506 ± 6,300 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Salem, MA was China, the natal country of 88,014 Salem, MA residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 84,884 and Brazil with 66,506.

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Citizenship

94.2%

2017 Citizenship

93.8%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 94.2% of Salem, MA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Salem, MA was 93.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    31k ± 790

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    7.58k ± 1.03k

  3. Black or African American Alone

    2.1k ± 595

In 2017, there were 4.09 times more White Alone residents (31k people) in Salem, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 7.58k Hispanic or Latino and 2.1k Black or African American Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

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

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. Spanish or Spanish Creole

    5,427 speakers (13.5%)

  2. Portuguese or Portuguese Creole

    548 speakers (1.36%)

  3. Other Indo-European Languages

    524 speakers (1.3%)

23.3% of Salem, MA citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is higher than the national average of 21.5%. In 2015, the most common non-English language spoken in Salem, MA was Spanish or Spanish Creole. 13.5% of the overall population of Salem, MA are native Spanish or Spanish Creole speakers. 1.36% speak Portuguese or Portuguese Creole and 1.3% speak Spanish or Spanish Creole, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    623 ± 148

  2. Korea

    298 ± 108

  3. Gulf War (2001-)

    167 ± 108

Salem, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.09 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Salem, MA awarded 2,306 degrees. The student population of Salem, MA is skewed towards women, with 3,227 male students and 5,774 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Salem, MA are White (1,658 and 75.5%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (206 and 9.38%), Black or African American (147 and 6.69%), and Unknown (69 and 3.14%).

The largest universities in Salem, MA by number of degrees awarded are Salem State University (2,306 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Salem, MA are Registered Nursing (168 and 7.29%), Social Work (162 and 7.03%), and General Psychology (161 and 6.98%).

The median tuition costs in Salem, MA are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $910 and $7,050 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. Registered Nursing

    168 degrees awarded

  2. General Psychology

    161 degrees awarded

  3. Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration

    116 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Salem, MA was Registered Nursing with 168 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Salem State University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

2,306 degrees awarded

$910

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2016, the Salem, MA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Salem State University with 2,306 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

744

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,562

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 744 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Salem, MA, which is 0.476 times less than the 1,562 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Salem, MA by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    1,658 degrees awarded

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    206 degrees awarded

  3. Black or African American

    147 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Salem, MA were to White students. These 1,658 degrees mean that there were 8.05 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 206 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Salem, MA was $331,300 in 2017, which is 1.52 times larger than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $317,400 to $331,300, a 4.38% increase. The homeownership rate in Salem, MA is 50.7%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Salem, MA have an average commute time of 28.5 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Salem, MA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

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

$65,528

Median Household Income

± $3,702

18.3k

Number of Households

± 919

In 2017, the median household income of the 18.3k households in Salem, MA grew to $65,528 from the previous year's value of $61,093.

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 $75k - $100k range.

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Housing

Property Value

$331,300

2017 Median

± $8,123

$317,400

2016 Median

± $8,841

In 2017, the median property value in Salem, MA grew to to $331,300 from the previous year's value of $317,400.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Salem, MA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Salem, MA the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Salem, MA 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.

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Rent vs Own

50.7%

2017 Homeownership

47.7%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 50.7% of the housing units in Salem, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 47.7%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Salem, MA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

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, followed by 1 car.

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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 (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 4.8% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    65.8%

  2. Public Transit

    10.3%

  3. Carpooled

    7.07%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Salem, MA was Drove Alone, followed by those who Public Transit and those who Carpooled.

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