Salem, OR

Census Place

Add Comparison

2019 Population

169,259

1.5% 1-year growth

US Senator

Ron Wyden

Democratic Party

US Senator

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Party

2019 Median Age

35.9

1.41% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

15.5%

0.423% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$55,920

4.29% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$242,800

8.78% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

77,206

2.1% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Salem, OR had a population of 169k people with a median age of 35.9 and a median household income of $55,920. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Salem, OR grew from 166,756 to 169,259, a 1.5% increase and its median household income grew from $53,619 to $55,920, a 4.29% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Salem, OR are White (Non-Hispanic) (66.9%), White (Hispanic) (14.6%), Other (Hispanic) (5.52%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.86%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (2.52%). 0% of the households in Salem, OR speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

92.5% of the residents in Salem, OR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Salem, OR are Willamette University (715 degrees awarded in 2019), Corban University (265 degrees), and College of Hair Design Careers (32 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Salem, OR was $242,800, and the homeownership rate was 54.3%. Most people in Salem, OR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Salem, OR was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Oregon State Capitol building

Photo by Jasperdo

United States Oregon Marion County, OR Polk County, OR Salem, OR Salem (North), Keizer Cities & Hayesville PUMA, OR Salem City (South) & Four Corners PUMA, OR Woodburn & Silverton Cities PUMA, OR Yamhill & Polk Counties PUMA, OR

Diversity

Salem, OR is home to a population of 169k people, from which 92.5% are citizens. As of 2019, 11.5% of Salem, OR residents were born outside of the country (19.5k people).

In 2019, there were 4.57 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (113k people) in Salem, OR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 24.8k White (Hispanic) and 9.34k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Salem, OR

White (Non-Hispanic)
113k ± 1.81k
White (Hispanic)
24.8k ± 1.92k
Other (Hispanic)
9.34k ± 1.51k

23.3%

Hispanic Population

39.5k people

23.3% of the people in Salem, OR are hispanic (39.5k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

11.5%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

19.5k people

11.7%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

19.4k people

As of 2019, 11.5% of Salem, OR residents (19.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Salem, OR was 11.7%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.7

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1

In 2019, the median age of all people in Salem, OR was 35.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 34, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Salem, OR are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Salem, OR residents was 35.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
141,075 ± 9,063 people
China
22,741 ± 3,692 people
Vietnam
22,210 ± 3,649 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Oregon was Mexico, the natal country of 141,075 Oregon residents, followed by China with 22,741 and Vietnam with 22,210.

Citizenship

92.5%

2019 Citizenship

92.2%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 92.5% of Salem, OR residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Salem, OR was 92.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,107 ± 349
Gulf War (1990s)
1,523 ± 303
Gulf War (2001-)
1,395 ± 282

Salem, OR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.04 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Oregon. 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 Oregon, 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 Oregon.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Oregon (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 Oregon.

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 Oregon. 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 Oregon.

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Oregon 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, OR is $55,920. In 2019, the place with the highest median household income in Salem, OR was Census Tract 24 with a value of $95,972, followed by Census Tract 53 and Census Tract 22.01, with respective values of $90,201 and $88,594.

Males in Oregon have an average income that is 1.29 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,010. The income inequality in Oregon (measured using the Gini index) is 0.465, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Salem, OR employs 77.2k people. The largest industries in Salem, OR are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,598 people), Retail Trade (9,442 people), and Public Administration (7,376 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($79,167), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($66,125), and Utilities ($61,957).

Wages

Median Household Income

$55,920

2019 value

± $1,373

4.29%

1 Year Growth

± 3.35%

Households in Salem, OR have a median annual income of $55,920, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $53,619 in 2018, which represents a 4.29% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Salem, OR 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 Oregon.

$66,971

Average Male Salary in Oregon

± $1,748

$52,010

Average Female Salary in Oregon

± $1,441

In 2019, full-time male employees in Oregon made 1.29 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Oregon 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 Oregon.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Oregon

Asian
$60,218 ± $5,230
White
$52,171 ± $1,101
Black
$42,634 ± $7,094

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Oregon workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.15 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Oregon.

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

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Salem, OR is from Oregon.

0.465

2019 Wage GINI in Oregon

0.468

2018 Wage GINI in Oregon

In 2019, the income inequality in Oregon was 0.465 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.664% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Oregon was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Oregon in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Oregon 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 24
Census Tract 53
Census Tract 22.01

In 2019, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Salem, OR was Census Tract 24 with a value of $95,972, followed by Census Tract 53 and Census Tract 22.01, with respective values of $90,201 and $88,594.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Salem, OR (25.1k out of 162k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

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
17,319 ± 1,078
Hispanic
9,317 ± 855
Two Or More
2,818 ± 503

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

77.2k

2019 Value

± 2,084

2.1%

1 Year growth

± 3.76%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Salem, OR grew at a rate of 2.1%, from 75.6k employees to 77.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Salem, OR, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,583 people), Sales & Related Occupations (7,338 people), and Management Occupations (6,401 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Salem, OR.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Salem, OR, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,583 people), Sales & Related Occupations (7,338 people), and Management Occupations (6,401 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Salem, OR has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (4.55 times higher than expected), Community & Social Service Occupations (1.59 times), and Healthcare Support Occupations (1.52 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Salem, OR, by median earnings, are Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($82,404), Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations ($64,743), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($62,150).

Industries

Employment by Industries

77.2k

2019 Value

± 2,084

2.1%

1 Year growth

± 3.76%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Salem, OR grew at a rate of 2.1%, from 75.6k employees to 77.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Salem, OR, are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,598 people), Retail Trade (9,442 people), and Public Administration (7,376 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Salem, OR, though some of these residents may live in Salem, OR and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Salem, OR, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,598 people), Retail Trade (9,442 people), and Public Administration (7,376 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Salem, OR has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (2.96 times higher than expected), Public Administration (2.07 times), and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (1.12 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Salem, OR, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($79,167), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($66,125), and Utilities ($61,957).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2018, the top outbound Oregon product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $23.3B, followed by Electronics ($21B) and Mixed freight ($20.8B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Oregon.

$174B

2018 Value in Oregon

$349B

Projected 2045 Value in Oregon

100% growth

In 2018, total outbound Oregon trade was $174B. This is expected to increase 100% to $349B by 2045.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

Washington
$38.9B
California
$24B
Texas
$4.89B

In 2018, the top outbound Oregon domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Washington with $38.9B, followed by California with $24B and Texas and $4.89B.

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

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Marion County, OR went to Donald J. Trump with 46.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (42.2%), followed by Other (11.5%). The most partisan county was Lake County, OR with 76.9% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are the senators currently representing the state of Oregon. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Oregon is currently represented by 5 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, OR. Showing the available data for Marion County, OR.

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

Donald J. Trump (46.3%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (42.2%)
Democratic Party
Other (11.5%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Oregon went to Donald J. Trump with 46.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (42.2%), followed by Other (11.5%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Oregon 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 Oregon.

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

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Marion County, OR

46.3% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Oregon

Lake County, OR
76.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Grant County, OR
74% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Multnomah County, OR
73.3% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Oregon was Lake County, OR with 76.9% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

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

US Senators from Oregon

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

Ron Wyden

Senator from Oregon

Assumed office on February 5, 1996
Elected to the seat following the resignation of Bob Packwood.

Jeff Merkley

Senator from Oregon

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are the senators currently representing Oregon.

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 Oregon over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Oregon

Oregon is currently represented by 5 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 Oregon have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2019, universities in Salem, OR awarded 1,040 degrees. The student population of Salem, OR is skewed towards women, with 1,484 male students and 1,963 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Salem, OR are White (690 and 68.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (109 and 10.8%), Two or More Races (74 and 7.36%), and Unknown (50 and 4.98%).

The largest universities in Salem, OR by number of degrees awarded are Willamette University (715 and 68.8%), Corban University (265 and 25.5%), and College of Hair Design Careers (32 and 3.08%).

The most popular majors in Salem, OR are General Business Administration & Management (175 and 16.8%), Law (84 and 8.08%), and General Economics (62 and 5.96%).

The median tuition cost in Salem, OR for private four year colleges is $42,065.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Economics
62 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
59 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
58 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Salem, OR was General Economics with 62 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Willamette University
715 degrees awarded
Corban University
265 degrees awarded
College of Hair Design Careers
32 degrees awarded

$42,065

Median Private

In 2019, the Salem, OR institution with the largest number of graduating students was Willamette University with 715 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

431

Degrees Awarded to Men

609

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 431 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Salem, OR, which is 0.708 times less than the 609 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
690 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
109 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
74 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Salem, OR was White students. These 690 degrees mean that there were 6.33 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 109 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Salem, OR was $242,800 in 2019, which is 1.01 times larger than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $223,200 to $242,800, a 8.78% increase. The homeownership rate in Salem, OR is 54.3%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Salem, OR have an average commute time of 21.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Salem, OR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$242,800

2019 Median

± $4,308

$223,200

2018 Median

± $3,351

In 2019, the median property value in Salem, OR grew to to $242,800 from the previous year's value of $223,200.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Salem, OR 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, OR the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

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

$55,920

Median Household Income

± $1,373

60.5k

Number of Households

± 1,721

In 2019, the median household income of the 60.5k households in Salem, OR grew to $55,920 from the previous year's value of $53,619.

The following chart displays the households in Salem, OR 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, OR distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Salem, OR the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

54.3%

2019 Homeownership

53.3%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 54.3% of the housing units in Salem, OR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 53.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Salem, OR compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

21.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Salem, OR have a shorter commute time (21.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.88% of the workforce in Salem, OR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (75.3%)
Carpooled (11.2%)
Worked At Home (5.46%)

In 2019, 75.3% of workers in Salem, OR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.2%) and those who worked at home (5.46%).

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, OR distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Salem, OR have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

92.6% of the population of Salem, OR has health coverage, with 44.5% on employee plans, 23.5% on Medicaid, 10.4% on Medicare, 13.2% on non-group plans, and 1.08% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Oregon was $8,044 in 2014. This is a 7.73% increase from the previous year ($7,467).

Primary care physicians in Marion County, OR see 1476 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.5% increase from the previous year (1440 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1199 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 280 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jefferson County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (18.3%). Additionally, Malheur County and Union County have the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.9%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Marion County, OR.

1,476 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Marion County, OR

Primary care physicians in Marion County, OR see an average of 1,476 patients per year. This represents a 2.5% increase from the previous year (1,440 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Marion County, OR 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 Oregon.

$8,044

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Oregon

$4,232

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,185

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,942

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Oregon (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 7.73%, from $7,467 to $8,044.

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

Health Care Coverage

7.36%

Uninsured

44.5%

Employer Coverage

23.5%

Medicaid

10.4%

Medicare

13.2%

Non-Group

1.08%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Salem, OR declined by 10.2% from 8.19% to 7.36%.

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