City · Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, city, in Essex County, Massachusetts. Salem had 45,381 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 44,480 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 44,795 (±33). GEOID 2559105.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
45,381
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 44,480 · ACS 2020-2024: 44,795 ±33
Median household income
$85,153
±$5,154 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$542,800
±$17,690 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,836
±$84 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Salem and what county is it in?
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts. It covers 8.3 square miles of land, 5,363 residents per square mile in 2020.
Salem is in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Salem, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 45,381 people lived in Salem on July 1, 2025, up 2.0% since 2020, in line with Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 44,480 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 44,795 (±33).
| Measure | Salem | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 44,795 ±33 | 813,054 | +1,543 |
| Households | 20,267 ±583 | 313,147 | +1,830 |
| Average household size | 2.13 ±0.06 | 2.54 | −0.12 |
| Housing units | 21,492 ±587 | 329,776 | +1,861 |
Salem's population since 2000
From 40,407 in 2000 to 45,381 in 2025: up 12.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Salem as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Salem?
The median resident of Salem is 39.3 years old; 15.7% are under 18 and 17.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 66.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 20.7%. 16.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Salem | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.3 ±1.5 | 41.2 | +2.2 |
| Under 18 years | 15.7% ±1.5 pts | 20.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.2% ±1.4 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Male | 45.5% ±1.9 pts | 48.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 20.7% ±2.6 pts | 24.1% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 66.4% ±3.0 pts | 64.5% | −5.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.6% ±1.2 pts | 3.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.4% ±1.1 pts | 3.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7% ±0.9 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 16.3% ±1.8 pts | 19.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 23.8% ±2.5 pts | 28.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6% ±0.9 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 11.6% ±1.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.1% ±0.9 pts | 2.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.9% ±1.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 47.8% ±2.5 pts | 43.0% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 20.5% ±1.9 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.4% ±1.7 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7% ±0.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Salem earn?
Half of Salem's 20,267 households earn less than $85,153 a year (±$5,154), against $101,883 in Essex County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $84,682 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Salem | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $85,153 ±$5,154 | $101,883 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $109,427 ±$5,228 | $140,098 | – |
| Per capita income | $50,339 ±$2,150 | $54,665 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.1% ±2.5 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.1% ±5.8 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.9% ±3.1 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.1% ±2.5 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.4% ±2.5 pts | 92.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Salem?
Owners occupy 49.7% of Salem's occupied homes and renters 50.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $542,800 by its owner (±$17,690). The median renter pays $1,836 a month including utilities, and 44.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Salem | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $542,800 ±$17,690 | $619,100 | +$90,889 |
| Median gross rent | $1,836 ±$84 | $1,756 | +$250 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.1% ±5.0 pts | 46.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,685 ±$67 | $2,867 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 49.7% ±3.2 pts | 63.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 50.3% ±3.2 pts | 36.5% | – |
| Housing units | 21,492 ±587 | 329,776 | +1,861 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.6% ±1.3 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 23.9% ±2.2 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.4% ±1.0 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 51.0% ±3.2 pts | 34.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 14.7% ±2.7 pts | 9.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Salem building?
Builders took permits for 82 new housing units in Salem in 2025 (24 in single-family houses), 1.8 per 1,000 residents against 1.7 across Massachusetts.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Salem work and get to work?
55.9% of Salem's workers drive alone and 21.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.1%.
| Measure | Salem | Essex County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.2% ±2.3 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1% ±1.2 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 55.9% ±3.0 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.9% ±1.5 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 5.3% ±1.3 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Walked | 6.6% ±1.3 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 21.6% ±2.6 pts | 16.4% | +15.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.5 min ±1.5 | 28.5 min | −2.8 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Salem?
9 census tracts lie mostly in Salem, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $52,451 (Tract 2043) to $115,926 (Tract 2045).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2047.01Essex County | 7,007 | $67,404 |
| Tract 2047.02Essex County | 6,108 | $80,750 |
| Tract 2046Essex County | 5,312 | $88,109 |
| Tract 2041.02Essex County | 5,206 | $88,102 |
| Tract 2042Essex County | 5,079 | $90,625 |
| Tract 2041.01Essex County | 4,862 | $100,649 |
| Tract 2043Essex County | 4,223 | $52,451 |
| Tract 2045Essex County | 3,539 | $115,926 |
| Tract 2044Essex County | 3,459 | $91,563 |
| Tract 2032Essex County | 4,673 | $184,200 |
| Tract 2031Essex County | 7,303 | $235,962 |
| Tract 2021.04Essex County | 5,195 | $109,455 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Salem) · Census block assignment files
How does Salem compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Salem is the 915th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 28th-most populous of 58 in Massachusetts.
Salem ranks 350th of 453 places in Massachusetts with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 28th | 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 126th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 20th | 461 |
| Median household income | 350th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 315th | 460 |
| Median home value | 213th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 127th | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 52nd | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 213th | 459 |
| Median age | 397th | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 432nd | 460 |
| Work from home | 147th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 268th | 459 |
Salem's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Salem with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Salem?
6 of the 57 figures for Salem on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Salem are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Salem.