Salem, MA

Census Place

Add Comparison

2020 Population

43,350

0.227% 1-year growth

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

38.2

2.96% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

15.9%

8.19% 1-year increase

2020 Median Household Income

$66,428

3.46% 1-year decline

2020 Median Property Value

$379,400

3.32% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

24,497

1.02% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Salem, MA had a population of 43.4k people with a median age of 38.2 and a median household income of $66,428. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Salem, MA grew from 43,252 to 43,350, a 0.227% increase and its median household income declined from $68,808 to $66,428, a −3.46% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Salem, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (70.6%), White (Hispanic) (8.61%), Other (Hispanic) (5.44%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.81%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.24%).

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.

95% of the residents in Salem, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Salem, MA are Salem State University (2,242 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2020, the median property value in Salem, MA was $379,400, and the homeownership rate was 49.8%. Most people in Salem, MA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 31.1 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 Salem, Beverly, Gloucester & Newburyport Cities PUMA, MA Peabody City, Danvers, Reading, North Reading & Lynnfield Towns PUMA, MA

Diversity

Salem, MA is home to a population of 43.4k people, from which 95% are citizens. As of 2020, 14.5% of Salem, MA residents were born outside of the country (6.27k people).

In 2020, there were 8.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (30.6k people) in Salem, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.73k White (Hispanic) and 2.36k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Salem, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
30.6k ± 1.17k
White (Hispanic)
3.73k ± 912
Other (Hispanic)
2.36k ± 613

18.3%

Hispanic Population

7.95k people

18.3% of the people in Salem, MA are hispanic (7.95k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Salem, MA as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

14.5%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

6.27k people

14.6%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

6.33k people

As of 2020, 14.5% of Salem, MA residents (6.27k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Salem, MA was 14.6%, 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.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 1.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 4.1

In 2020, the median age of all people in Salem, MA was 38.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 36, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 50. But people in Salem, MA are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Salem, MA residents was 37.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

China
98,663 ± 7,656 people
Dominican Republic
90,760 ± 7,347 people
Brazil
81,000 ± 6,946 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 98,663 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 90,760 and Brazil with 81,000.

Citizenship

95%

2020 Citizenship

94.9%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 95% of Salem, MA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Salem, MA was 94.9%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
699 ± 228
Korea
185 ± 91
Gulf War (1990s)
113 ± 71

Salem, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.78 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Massachusetts. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Massachusetts, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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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.

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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Massachusetts. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Massachusetts across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Salem, MA is $66,428. In 2020, the place with the highest median household income in Salem, MA was Census Tract 2032 with a value of $136,094, followed by Census Tract 2046 and Census Tract 2041.01, with respective values of $92,292 and $77,596.

Males in Massachusetts have an average income that is 1.32 times higher than the average income of females, which is $69,870. The income inequality in Massachusetts (measured using the Gini index) is 0.48, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of Salem, MA employs 24.5k people. The largest industries in Salem, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,814 people), Retail Trade (3,018 people), and Educational Services (2,807 people), and the highest paying industries are Finance & Insurance ($82,930), Utilities ($79,688), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($76,486).

Wages

Median Household Income

$66,428

2020 value

± $4,764

−3.46%

1 Year Growth

± 8.4%

Households in Salem, MA have a median annual income of $66,428, which is more than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $68,808 in 2019, which represents a −3.46% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Salem, MA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$92,436

Average Male Salary in Massachusetts

± $1,932

$69,870

Average Female Salary in Massachusetts

± $1,420

In 2020, full-time male employees in Massachusetts made 1.32 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Massachusetts by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Massachusetts

Asian
$80,954 ± $4,414
White
$72,040 ± $1,231
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$57,223 ± $36,115

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Massachusetts workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.12 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Massachusetts.

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

Wage Distribution

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

0.48

2020 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.483

2019 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2020, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.48 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.544% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 2032
Census Tract 2046
Census Tract 2041.01

In 2020, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Salem, MA was Census Tract 2032 with a value of $136,094, followed by Census Tract 2046 and Census Tract 2041.01, with respective values of $92,292 and $77,596.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Salem, MA (6.62k out of 41.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
4,210 ± 636
Hispanic
2,204 ± 538
Two Or More
813 ± 379

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

24.5k

2020 Value

± 1,319

1.02%

1 Year growth

± 7.27%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Salem, MA grew at a rate of 1.02%, from 24.3k employees to 24.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Salem, MA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,207 people), Management Occupations (3,016 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,634 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Salem, MA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Salem, MA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,207 people), Management Occupations (3,016 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,634 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Salem, MA has an unusually high number of residents working as Personal Care & Service Occupations (1.45 times higher than expected), Community & Social Service Occupations (1.41 times), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (1.32 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Salem, MA, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($100,272), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($98,512), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($92,022).

Industries

Employment by Industries

24.5k

2020 Value

± 1,319

1.02%

1 Year growth

± 7.27%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Salem, MA grew at a rate of 1.02%, from 24.3k employees to 24.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Salem, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,814 people), Retail Trade (3,018 people), and Educational Services (2,807 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.

Most Common

The most common industries in Salem, MA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,814 people), Retail Trade (3,018 people), and Educational Services (2,807 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Salem, MA has an unusually high number of Information (1.78 times higher than expected), Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (1.78 times), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1.36 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Salem, MA, by median earnings, are Finance & Insurance ($82,930), Utilities ($79,688), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($76,486).

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

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $37.4B, followed by Electronics ($29.6B) and Mixed freight ($28.4B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts.

$314B

2020 Value in Massachusetts

$627B

Projected 2050 Value in Massachusetts

99.9% growth

In 2020, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $314B. This is expected to increase 99.9% to $627B by 2050.

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

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

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $31B, followed by New Hampshire with $23.4B and Connecticut and $14.9B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 65.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.29%). The most partisan county was Suffolk County, MA with 80.2% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

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 Popular Vote Over Time

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

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (65.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (31.9%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.29%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 65.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.29%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Massachusetts for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Massachusetts.

Joseph R Biden Jr.

Popular Vote for Massachusetts

65.1% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Massachusetts

Suffolk County, MA
80.2% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Dukes County, MA
77% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Berkshire County, MA
72% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Massachusetts was Suffolk County, MA with 80.2% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Massachusetts colored by their party leaning.

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.

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.

US Representatives from Massachusetts

Massachusetts is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Massachusetts have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Salem, MA awarded 2,242 degrees. The student population of Salem, MA is skewed towards women, with 2,345 male students and 4,897 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Salem, MA are White (1,534 and 70.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (303 and 14%), Black or African American (162 and 7.47%), and Unknown (59 and 2.72%).

The largest universities in Salem, MA by number of degrees awarded are Salem State University (2,242 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Salem, MA are Social Work (193 and 8.61%), Registered Nursing (162 and 7.23%), and General Psychology (142 and 6.33%).

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

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
162 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
142 degree-majorss awarded
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
110 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Salem, MA was Registered Nursing with 162 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Salem State University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

2,242 degrees awarded

$910

Median In-State Public

In 2020, the Salem, MA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Salem State University with 2,242 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

703

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,539

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 703 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Salem, MA, which is 0.457 times less than the 1,539 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
1,534 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
303 degrees awarded
Black or African American
162 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Salem, MA was White students. These 1,534 degrees mean that there were 5.06 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 303 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Salem, MA was $379,400 in 2020, which is 1.65 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $367,200 to $379,400, a 3.32% increase. The homeownership rate in Salem, MA is 49.8%, which is lower than the national average of 64.4%. People in Salem, MA have an average commute time of 31.1 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 Value

$379,400

2020 Median

± $9,604

$367,200

2019 Median

± $8,157

In 2020, the median property value in Salem, MA grew to to $379,400 from the previous year's value of $367,200.

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.

Household Income

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

$66,428

Median Household Income

± $4,764

19.1k

Number of Households

± 1,272

In 2020, the median household income of the 19.1k households in Salem, MA declined from $66,428 from the previous year's value of $68,808.

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.

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.

Rent vs Own

49.8%

2020 Homeownership

51.5%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 49.8% of the housing units in Salem, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 51.5%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Salem, MA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

31.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Salem, MA have a longer commute time (31.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 3.89% 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.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (63.7%)
Worked At Home (9.34%)
Public Transit (8.41%)

In 2020, 63.7% of workers in Salem, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.34%) and those who used public transit to get to work (8.41%).

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.

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 false.

Health

97.6% of the population of Salem, MA has health coverage, with 51.3% on employee plans, 22.1% on Medicaid, 10.9% on Medicare, 12.9% on non-group plans, and 0.289% on military or VA plans.

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

Primary care physicians in Essex County, MA see 1354 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.28% increase from the previous year (1311 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1087 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 168 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Plymouth County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (11.1%). Additionally, Hampden County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (30.5%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Essex County, MA.

1,354 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Essex County, MA

Primary care physicians in Essex County, MA see an average of 1,354 patients per year. This represents a 3.28% increase from the previous year (1,311 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Essex County, MA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
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.

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 in Massachusetts

$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.

Health Care Coverage

2.4%

Uninsured

51.3%

Employer Coverage

22.1%

Medicaid

10.9%

Medicare

12.9%

Non-Group

0.289%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Salem, MA grew by 2.25% from 2.34% to 2.4%.

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.