Salem, MA

Census Place

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2021 Population

44,452

2.54% 1-year growth

US Senator

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ed Markey

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

37.6

1.57% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

14.9%

6.34% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$72,884

9.72% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$396,700

4.56% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

25,452

3.9% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Salem, MA had a population of 44.5k people with a median age of 37.6 and a median household income of $72,884. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Salem, MA grew from 43,350 to 44,452, a 2.54% increase and its median household income grew from $66,428 to $72,884, a 9.72% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Salem, MA are White (Non-Hispanic) (72%), White (Hispanic) (8.84%), Other (Hispanic) (4.42%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.82%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.05%).

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.

95.4% of the residents in Salem, MA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Salem, MA are Salem State University (1,972 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Salem, MA was $396,700, and the homeownership rate was 51.6%.

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

Population & Diversity

Salem, MA is home to a population of 44.5k people, from which 95.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 14% of Salem, MA residents were born outside of the country (6.21k people).

In 2021, there were 8.15 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (32k people) in Salem, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.93k White (Hispanic) and 1.97k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.4%

2021 Citizenship

95%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 95.4% of Salem, MA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Salem, MA was 95%, 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.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Salem, MA

White (Non-Hispanic)
32k ± 1.11k
White (Hispanic)
3.93k ± 738
Other (Hispanic)
1.97k ± 539

17.7%

Hispanic Population

7.86k people

17.7% of the people in Salem, MA are hispanic (7.86k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

China
102,889 ± 7,817 people
Dominican Republic
98,796 ± 7,662 people
Brazil
87,929 ± 7,234 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 102,889 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 98,796 and Brazil with 87,929.

Foreign-Born Population

14%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

6.21k people

14.5%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

6.27k people

As of 2021, 14% of Salem, MA residents (6.21k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Salem, MA was 14.5%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
669 ± 233
Gulf War (2001-)
162 ± 96
Gulf War (1990s)
148 ± 84

Salem, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 4.13 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Salem, MA employs 25.5k people. The largest industries in Salem, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,890 people), Educational Services (2,928 people), and Retail Trade (2,914 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($98,438), Finance & Insurance ($88,033), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($77,287).

Males in Massachusetts have an average income that is 1.31 times higher than the average income of females, which is $74,737. The income inequality in Massachusetts (measured using the Gini index) is 0.48, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

25.5k

2021 Value

± 1,340

3.9%

1 Year growth

± 7.25%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Salem, MA grew at a rate of 3.9%, from 24.5k employees to 25.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Salem, MA, are Management Occupations (3,550 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,230 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,590 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Salem, MA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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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Industries

Employment by Industries

25.5k

2021 Value

± 1,340

3.9%

1 Year growth

± 7.25%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Salem, MA grew at a rate of 3.9%, from 24.5k employees to 25.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Salem, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,890 people), Educational Services (2,928 people), and Retail Trade (2,914 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$53,809

Median earning men ± $3,065

$43,468

Median earning women ± $2,177

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($100,833), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($87,935), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($65,828).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Construction ($76,406), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($69,566), and Public Administration ($67,083).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Massachusetts. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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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 $37.1B, followed by Mixed freight ($29.7B) and Electronics ($28.8B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts.

$296B

2020 Value in Massachusetts

$627B

Projected 2050 Value in Massachusetts

112% growth

In 2020, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $296B. This is expected to increase 112% 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

New York
$28.8B
New Hampshire
$20.3B
Connecticut
$14.2B

In 2020, the top outbound Massachusetts domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $28.8B, followed by New Hampshire with $20.3B and Connecticut and $14.2B.

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%).

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 Elections

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.

Senator Elections

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 Representative Elections

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 2021, universities in Salem, MA awarded 1,972 degrees. The student population of Salem, MA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 2,262 male students and 4,869 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Salem, MA are White (1,312 and 68.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (292 and 15.3%), Black or African American (144 and 7.55%), and Unknown (61 and 3.2%).

The largest universities in Salem, MA by number of degrees awarded are Salem State University (1,972 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Salem, MA are Social Work (175 and 8.87%), Registered Nursing (146 and 7.4%), and General Psychology (143 and 7.25%).

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.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Salem, MA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 90%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 16.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 7,131 (31.7% men and 68.3% 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.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 7,131 students enrolled in Salem, MA, 31.7% men and 68.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 4,332 records, of which 68.4% were women and 31.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
146 degrees awarded
General Psychology
143 degrees awarded
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
101 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Salem, MA was Registered Nursing with 146 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Salem State University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,972 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Salem State University with 1,972 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 601 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Salem, MA, which is 0.438 times less than the 1,371 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,312 degrees mean that there were 4.49 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 292 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($910) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($10,765) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 1.06% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.14% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.35M), Bachelors Degree (1.33M), and Some college (1.01M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Salem, MA was $396,700 in 2021, which is 1.62 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $379,400 to $396,700, a 4.56% increase. The homeownership rate in Salem, MA is 51.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

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.

Median household income in Salem, MA is $72,884. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Salem, MA was Census Tract 2032 with a value of $159,750, followed by Census Tract 2045 and Census Tract 2046, with respective values of $96,029 and $88,325.

Housing

Property

$396,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$11,564

$10,183

Median Property Taxes

±$721

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 Salem, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

51.6%

Homeownership

2021

58.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 51.6% of the housing units in Salem, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 49.8%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 2032
Census Tract 2045
Census Tract 2046

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Salem, MA was Census Tract 2032 with a value of $159,750, followed by Census Tract 2045 and Census Tract 2046, with respective values of $96,029 and $88,325.

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

Household Income

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

$72,884

Median Household Income

± $3,836

19.7k

Number of Households

± 1,236

In 2021, the median household income of the 19.7k households in Salem, MA grew to $72,884 from the previous year's value of $66,428.

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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.48

2021 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

0.48

2020 Wage GINI in Massachusetts

In 2021, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.48 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0427% decline from 2020 to 2021, 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (62.2%)
Worked At Home (12.3%)
Carpooled (7.79%)

In 2021, 62.2% of workers in Salem, MA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (12.3%) and those who carpooled to work (7.79%).

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.

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 (26.8 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.

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.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

14.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Salem, MA (6.38k out of 42.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 18 - 24.

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

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.

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.

Health

97.9% of the population of Salem, MA has health coverage, with 54% on employee plans, 20.1% on Medicaid, 10.8% on Medicare, 12.8% on non-group plans, and 0.185% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Essex County, MA see 1384 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.22% increase from the previous year (1354 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1090 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 161 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,384 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Essex County, MA

Primary care physicians in Essex County, MA see an average of 1,384 patients per year. This represents a 2.22% increase from the previous year (1,354 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.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 17.6% under 18 years, 28.4% between 18 and 34 years, 38% between 35 and 64 years, and 16% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 44.3% were men and 55.7% were women.

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

Uninsured People

2.09%

Uninsured

54%

Employer Coverage

20.1%

Medicaid

10.8%

Medicare

12.8%

Non-Group

0.185%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Salem, MA declined by 12.6% from 2.4% to 2.09%.

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.