Salem, MA

Census Place

Add Comparison

Population

43,302

0.362% 1-year growth

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

Median Age

36.3

Poverty Rate

15.1%

Median Household Income

$65,565

0.0565% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$347,200

4.8% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

24,116

2.45% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, Salem, MA had a population of 43.3k people with a median age of 36.3 and a median household income of $65,565. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Salem, MA grew from 43,146 to 43,302, a 0.362% increase and its median household income grew from $65,528 to $65,565, a 0.0565% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Salem, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (70.8%), Other (Hispanic) (9.38%), White (Hispanic) (6.41%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.33%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.75%). NaNk% of the people in Salem, MA speak a non-English language, and 93.3% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Salem, MA are Salem State University (2,194 degrees awarded in 2017).

The median property value in Salem, MA is $347,200, and the homeownership rate is 50.3%. Most people in Salem, MA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 28.1 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 States Massachusetts Essex County, MA Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Peabody City, Danvers, Reading, North Reading & Lynnfield Towns PUMA, MA Salem, Beverly, Gloucester & Newburyport Cities PUMA, MA

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.

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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Impact on Employment

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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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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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Essex County, MA went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (35.9%), followed by Other (5.59%). The most partisan county was Suffolk County, MA with 79.6% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton 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 Essex County, MA.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Hillary Rodham Clinton (58.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (35.9%)
Republican Party
Other (5.59%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Massachusetts went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (35.9%), followed by Other (5.59%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Massachusetts for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

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

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Popular Vote for Essex County, MA

58.5% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Massachusetts

Suffolk County, MA
79.6% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Dukes County, MA
73% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Berkshire County, MA
67.5% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Massachusetts was Suffolk County, MA with 79.6% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton 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 replace 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.

Diversity

Salem, MA is home to a population of 43.3k people, from which 93.3% are citizens. As of 2018, 15.8% of Salem, MA residents were born outside of the country (6.83k people).

In 2018, there were 7.54 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (30.6k people) in Salem, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.06k Other (Hispanic) and 2.78k White (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 ± 971
Other (Hispanic)
4.06k ± 663
White (Hispanic)
2.78k ± 593

19.4%

Hispanic Population

8.4k people

19.4% of the people in Salem, MA are hispanic (8.4k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

15.8%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

6.83k people

14.4%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

6.2k people

As of 2018, 15.8% of Salem, MA residents (6.83k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Salem, MA was 14.4%, 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.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 1

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 4.1

In 2018, the median age of all people in Salem, MA was 36.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 35, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 46. But people in Salem, MA are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Salem, MA residents was 36.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

China
88,014 ± 7,236 people
Dominican Republic
84,884 ± 7,108 people
Brazil
66,506 ± 6,300 people

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

Citizenship

93.3%

2018 Citizenship

94.2%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 93.3% of Salem, MA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Salem, MA was 94.2%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
584 ± 136
Korea
263 ± 119
Gulf War (2001-)
149 ± 80

Salem, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.22 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Salem, MA is $65,565. In 2018, the place with the highest Median Household Income in Salem, MA was Census Tract 2176 with a value of $101,964, followed by Census Tract 2032 and Census Tract 2046, with respective values of $100,958 and $86,030.

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

The economy of Salem, MA employs 24.1k people. The largest industries in Salem, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,015 people), Retail Trade (2,822 people), and Educational Services (2,699 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($74,731), Finance & Insurance ($67,800), and Utilities ($64,464).

Wages

Median Household Income

$65,565

2018 value

± $3,686

0.0565%

1 Year Growth

± 7.97%

Households in Salem, MA have a median annual income of $65,565, which is more than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $65,528 in 2017, which represents a 0.0565% 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 Gender in Common Jobs

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

$84,043

Average Male Salary in Massachusetts

± $1,786

$62,850

Average Female Salary in Massachusetts

± $1,306

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

This chart shows the gender-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
$68,516 ± $4,051
White
$64,668 ± $1,113
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$49,586 ± $39,015

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Massachusetts workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.06 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.

0.485

2017 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.485

2016 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

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 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 2176
Census Tract 2032
Census Tract 2046

In 2018, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Salem, MA was Census Tract 2176 with a value of $101,964, followed by Census Tract 2032 and Census Tract 2046, with respective values of $100,958 and $86,030.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Salem, MA (6.25k out of 41.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. 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
3,652 ± 450
Hispanic
2,734 ± 452
Other
1,306 ± 343

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

24.1k

2018 Value

± 1,158

2.45%

1 Year growth

± 6.71%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Salem, MA grew at a rate of 2.45%, from 23.5k employees to 24.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Salem, MA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,905 people), Management Occupations (2,513 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,482 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 (2,905 people), Management Occupations (2,513 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,482 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Salem, MA has an unusually high number of residents working as Personal Care & Service Occupations (1.56 times higher than expected), Community & Social Service Occupations (1.53 times), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1.45 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Salem, MA, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($104,583), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($95,559), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($88,651).

Industries

Employment by Industries

24.1k

2018 Value

± 1,158

2.45%

1 Year growth

± 6.71%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Salem, MA grew at a rate of 2.45%, from 23.5k employees to 24.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Salem, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,015 people), Retail Trade (2,822 people), and Educational Services (2,699 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 (4,015 people), Retail Trade (2,822 people), and Educational Services (2,699 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Salem, MA has an unusually high number of Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (1.48 times higher than expected), Other Services, Except Public Administration (1.22 times), and Accommodation & Food Services (1.22 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Salem, MA, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($74,731), Finance & Insurance ($67,800), and Utilities ($64,464).

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

Gasoline
$31.5B
Mixed freight
$27.2B
Electronics
$24.1B

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

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts.

$240B

2015 Value in Massachusetts

$364B

Projected 2045 Value in Massachusetts

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.

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

New Hampshire
$13.2B
New York
$13.2B
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).

Education

In 2017, universities in Salem, MA awarded 2,194 degrees. The student population of Salem, MA is skewed towards women, with 3,091 male students and 5,611 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Salem, MA are White (1,547 and 73.5%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (200 and 9.51%), Black or African American (154 and 7.32%), and Unknown (82 and 3.9%).

The largest universities in Salem, MA by number of degrees awarded are Salem State University (2,194 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Salem, MA are Social Work (182 and 8.3%), Registered Nursing (168 and 7.66%), and General Psychology (153 and 6.97%).

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

Registered Nursing
168 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
153 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
97 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Salem, MA was Registered Nursing with 168 degree-majorss 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

2,194 degrees awarded

$910

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2017, the Salem, MA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Salem State University with 2,194 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

765

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,429

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 765 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Salem, MA, which is 0.535 times less than the 1,429 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
1,547 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
200 degrees awarded
Black or African American
154 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Salem, MA were to White students. These 1,547 degrees mean that there were 7.74 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 200 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Salem, MA was $347,200 in 2018, which is 1.51 times larger than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $331,300 to $347,200, a 4.8% increase. The homeownership rate in Salem, MA is 50.3%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Salem, MA have an average commute time of 28.1 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.

Housing

Property Value

$347,200

2018 Median

± $7,846

$331,300

2017 Median

± $8,123

In 2018, the median property value in Salem, MA grew to to $347,200 from the previous year's value of $331,300.

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 N/A range.

Household Income

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

$65,565

Median Household Income

± $3,686

18.2k

Number of Households

± 899

In 2018, the median household income of the 18.2k households in Salem, MA grew to $65,565 from the previous year's value of $65,528.

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

50.3%

2018 Homeownership

50.7%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 50.3% of the housing units in Salem, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 50.7%.

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.

Commute Time

28.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Salem, MA have a longer commute time (28.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 3.86% 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 Method of Travel

Drove Alone
64.6%
Public Transit
10.6%
Walked
7.41%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Salem, MA was Drove Alone (64.6%), followed by those who Public Transit (10.6%) and those who Walked (7.41%).

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 1 car.

Health

97.2% of the population of Salem, MA has health coverage, with 49.4% on employee plans, 24.8% on Medicaid, 9.76% on Medicare, 12.9% on non-group plans, and 0.301% 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 1278 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.35% increase from the previous year (1261 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1137 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 204 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 country level. Showing data for Essex County, MA.

1,278 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Essex County, MA

Primary care physicians in Essex County, MA see an average of 1,278 patients per year. This represents a 1.35% increase from the previous year (1,261 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

2.84%

Uninsured

49.4%

Employer Coverage

24.8%

Medicaid

9.76%

Medicare

12.9%

Non-Group

0.301%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Salem, MA declined by 4.47% from 2.97% to 2.84%.

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.