Salinas, CA

Census Place

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2024 Population
161,761
US Senator
Alex Padilla
Democratic Party
US Senator
Adam Schiff
Democratic Party
2024 Median Age
32.4
0.935% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
13.6%
4.34% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$91,908
3.09% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$654,100
7.07% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
69,941
0.231% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Salinas, CA 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.

72.1% of the residents in Salinas, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Salinas, CA are Hartnell College (1,923 degrees awarded in 2023), Central Coast College (355 degrees), and CET-Salinas (112 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Salinas, CA was $654,100, and the homeownership rate was 47%.

Most people in Salinas, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Salinas, CA was 2 cars per household.

United StatesCaliforniaMonterey County, CASalinas, CAMonterey County (Northeast)--Salinas City PUMA, CA

Population & Diversity

Salinas, CA is home to a population of 162k people, from which 72.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 37.5% of Salinas, CA residents were born outside of the country (60.6k people).

In 2024, there were 4.38 times more Other (Hispanic) residents (87.3k people) in Salinas, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 19.9k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 19.6k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

72.1%
2024 Citizenship
72.7%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 72.1% of Salinas, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Salinas, CA was 72.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Salinas, CA
  1. Other (Hispanic)
    87.3k ± 2.96k
  2. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
    19.9k ± 2.22k
  3. White (Hispanic)
    19.6k ± 2.42k
80.9%
Hispanic Population
131k people

In 2024, there were 4.38 times more Other (Hispanic) residents (87.3k people) in Salinas, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 19.9k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 19.6k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

80.9% of the people in Salinas, CA are hispanic (131k people).

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

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for California.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    3,862,617 ± 45,816 people
  2. Philippines
    824,246 ± 22,054 people
  3. China
    687,951 ± 20,184 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,862,617 California residents, followed by Philippines with 824,246 and China with 687,951.

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Foreign-Born Population

37.5%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
60.6k people
36.3%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
58.8k people

As of 2024, 37.5% of Salinas, CA residents (60.6k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Salinas, CA was 36.3%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    706 ± 164
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    542 ± 171
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    482 ± 168

Salinas, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.3 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Salinas, CA.

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Economy

The economy of Salinas, CA employs 69.9k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Salinas, CA were Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (13,003 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,409 people), and Retail Trade (7,363 people), and the highest paying industries were Finance & Insurance ($88,958), Utilities ($86,727), and Public Administration ($84,213).

Employment

Occupations

69.9k
2024 Value
± 2,279
0.231%
1 Year growth
± 4.57%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Salinas, CA grew at a rate of 0.231%, from 69.8k employees to 69.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Salinas, CA, are Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (9,791 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,592 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (6,242 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Salinas, CA.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (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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Industries

Employment by Industries

69.9k
2024 Value
± 2,279
0.231%
1 Year growth
± 4.57%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Salinas, CA grew at a rate of 0.231%, from 69.8k employees to 69.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Salinas, CA, are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (13,003 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,409 people), and Retail Trade (7,363 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Salinas, CA, though some of these residents may live in Salinas, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$44,158
Median earning men ± $1,869
$37,991
Median earning women ± $1,970

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($105,598), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($80,521), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($58,713).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($71,853), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($64,375), and Information ($61,686).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
Y-Axis
2.57%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 17.9M people employed in California. This represents a 2.57% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14%.

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

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

California is currently represented by 52 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Salinas, CA. Showing the available data for California.
2024 Election Results
  1. Kamala Harris (58.5%)
    Democratic Party
  2. Donald J. Trump (38.3%)
    Republican Party
  3. Robert Kennedy (1.25%)
    Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

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

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Senator Elections

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
Alex Padilla
Senator from California3
Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.
Adam Schiff
Senator from California1
Assumed office on December 8, 2024
Elected to the seat to succeed Laphonza Butler, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Dianne Feinstein.

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing California.

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

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Education

In 2023, universities in Salinas, CA awarded 2,423 degrees. The student population of Salinas, CA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 4,017 male students and 5,259 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Salinas, CA are Hispanic or Latino (1,928 and 79.6%), Unknown (204 and 8.43%), Asian (116 and 4.79%), and White (114 and 4.71%).

The largest universities in Salinas, CA by number of degrees awarded are Hartnell College (1,923 and 79.4%), Central Coast College (355 and 14.7%), and CET-Salinas (112 and 4.62%).

The most popular majors in Salinas, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,065 and 44%), Medical Assistant (221 and 9.12%), and Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (108 and 4.46%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

Measure

In 2018 in Salinas, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 95.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 73.5%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 9,276 (43.3% men and 56.7% women).

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

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 9,276 students enrolled in Salinas, CA, 43.3% men and 56.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 7,766 records, of which 57.9% were women and 42.1% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Business Administration & Management
    87 degrees awarded
  2. Liberal Arts & Sciences
    341 degrees awarded
  3. General Psychology
    93 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Salinas, CA was General Business Administration & Management with 87 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Salinas, CA according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Hartnell College
    1,923 degrees awarded
  2. Central Coast College
    355 degrees awarded
  3. CET-Salinas
    112 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Hartnell College with 1,923 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2023, 771 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Salinas, CA, which is 0.467 times less than the 1,652 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 1,928 degrees mean that there were 9.45 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 204 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

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

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($1,380) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($24) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,152) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Salinas, CA was $654,100 in 2024, which is 1.97 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $610,900 to $654,100, a 7.07% increase. The homeownership rate in Salinas, CA is 47%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Salinas, CA have an average commute time of 26.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Salinas, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$654,100
Median Property Value 2024
±$11,147
$20,491
Median Property Taxes
±$1,030

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

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

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Rent vs Own

47%
Homeownership
2024
71.6%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 47% of the housing units in Salinas, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 47%.

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

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$91,908
Median Household Income
± $2,961
43.6k
Number of Households
± 1,733

In 2024, the median household income of the 43.6k households in Salinas, CA grew to $91,908 from the previous year's value of $89,150.

The following chart displays the households in Salinas, CA 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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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Salinas, CA is from California.
0.495
2023 Wage GINI in California
0.498
2022 Wage GINI in California

In 2023, the income inequality in California was 0.495 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.573% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

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

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (74.2%)
  2. Carpooled (10.9%)
  3. Other (8.21%)

In 2024, 74.2% of workers in Salinas, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.9%) and those who used some unspecified means to get work (8.21%).

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.

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Commute Time

26.6 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Salinas, CA have a longer commute time (26.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.26% of the workforce in Salinas, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

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

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

13.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Salinas, CA (21.8k out of 160k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Males 6 - 11.

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

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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Health

87.7% of the population of Salinas, CA has health coverage, with 36.3% on employee plans, 36.3% on Medicaid, 6.2% on Medicare, 8.49% on non-group plans, and 0.433% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in California see 1,233 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,233 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1076 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 213 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50% were men and 50% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 31.2% under 18 years, 22.8% between 18 and 34 years, 35.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 10.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50% were men and 50% were women.

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

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Uninsured People

12.3%
Uninsured
36.3%
Employer Coverage
36.3%
Medicaid
6.2%
Medicare
8.49%
Non-Group
0.433%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Salinas, CA declined by 2.38% from 12.6% to 12.3%.

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

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