Salem, OR

Census Place

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2024 Population

178,865

US Senator

Ron Wyden

Democratic Party

US Senator

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

0.84% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

14.4%

1.97% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$75,487

4.99% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$416,900

9.02% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

82,910

1.64% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Salem, OR 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.

92.2% of the residents in Salem, OR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Salem, OR are Willamette University (551 degrees awarded in 2024), Corban University (261 degrees), and Johnny Matthew's Hairdressing Training School (56 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Salem, OR was $416,900, and the homeownership rate was 55.9%.

Most people in Salem, OR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22 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 Marion County (West Central)--Salem (North), Keizer Cities & Hayesville PUMA, OR Marion County (West Central)--Salem City (South) & Four Corners PUMA, OR Marion County (Outside Salem & Keizer Cities)--Woodburn & Silverton Cities PUMA, OR Polk & Lincoln Counties PUMA, OR

Population & Diversity

Salem, OR is home to a population of 179k people, from which 92.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 12.5% of Salem, OR residents were born outside of the country (22.3k people).

In 2024, there were 7.24 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (110k people) in Salem, OR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 15.1k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 14.6k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

92.2%

2024 Citizenship

92.4%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 92.2% of Salem, OR residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Salem, OR was 92.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Salem, OR

White (Non-Hispanic)
110k ± 2k
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
15.1k ± 1.55k
Other (Hispanic)
14.6k ± 1.76k

25.4%

Hispanic Population

45.4k people

25.4% of the people in Salem, OR are hispanic (45.4k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Salem, OR 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 Oregon.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
144,017 ± 9,158 people
Vietnam
20,980 ± 3,547 people
India
20,652 ± 3,520 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Oregon was Mexico, the natal country of 144,017 Oregon residents, followed by Vietnam with 20,980 and India with 20,652.

Foreign-Born Population

12.5%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

22.3k people

11.8%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

20.8k people

As of 2024, 12.5% of Salem, OR residents (22.3k 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 Salem, OR was 11.8%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,518 ± 367
Gulf War (2001-)
2,189 ± 429
Gulf War (1990s)
1,460 ± 348

Salem, OR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.15 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Salem, OR.

Health

92.6% of the population of Salem, OR has health coverage, with 44.3% on employee plans, 24% on Medicaid, 11.8% on Medicare, 11.5% on non-group plans, and 1.08% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Oregon see 1,064 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,064 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1177 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 137 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.1% under 18 years, 23.9% between 18 and 34 years, 35.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

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

Uninsured People

7.39%

Uninsured

44.3%

Employer Coverage

24%

Medicaid

11.8%

Medicare

11.5%

Non-Group

1.08%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Salem, OR declined by 0.575% from 7.43% to 7.39%.

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.

Economy

The economy of Salem, OR employs 82.9k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Salem, OR were Health Care & Social Assistance (12,769 people), Retail Trade (9,145 people), and Public Administration (8,426 people), and the highest paying industries were Finance & Insurance ($77,194), Public Administration ($74,585), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($64,914).

Employment

Occupations

82.9k

2024 Value

± 2,522

1.64%

1 Year growth

± 4.21%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Salem, OR grew at a rate of 1.64%, from 81.6k employees to 82.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Salem, OR, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,622 people), Management Occupations (7,604 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (7,287 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Salem, OR.

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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

82.9k

2024 Value

± 2,522

1.64%

1 Year growth

± 4.21%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Salem, OR grew at a rate of 1.64%, from 81.6k employees to 82.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Salem, OR, are Health Care & Social Assistance (12,769 people), Retail Trade (9,145 people), and Public Administration (8,426 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$50,867

Median earning men ± $1,115

$41,656

Median earning women ± $1,465

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($77,174), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($76,125), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($62,204).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($71,699), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($52,964), and Information ($49,656).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.87%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.97M people employed in Oregon. This represents a 2.87% 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 13.1%.

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

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Oregon went to Kamala Harris with 55.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (41%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.5%).

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 6 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, OR. Showing the available data for Oregon.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (55.3%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (41%)
Republican Party
Robert Kennedy (1.5%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Oregon went to Kamala Harris with 55.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (41%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.5%).

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

Senator Elections

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.

Education

In 2024, universities in Salem, OR awarded 922 degrees. The student population of Salem, OR in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 1,378 male students and 1,949 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Salem, OR are White (545 and 60.3%), Hispanic or Latino (147 and 16.3%), Unknown (77 and 8.52%), and Two or More Races (63 and 6.97%).

The largest universities in Salem, OR by number of degrees awarded are Willamette University (551 and 59.8%), Corban University (261 and 28.3%), and Johnny Matthew's Hairdressing Training School (56 and 6.07%).

The most popular majors in Salem, OR are General Business Administration & Management (148 and 16.1%), Law (110 and 11.9%), and Data Science, General (41 and 4.45%).

The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $44,026.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Salem, OR, the percentage of applicants admitted was 79.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 16.2%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 3,327 (41.4% men and 58.6% 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 2024 there were 3,327 students enrolled in Salem, OR, 41.4% men and 58.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,921 records, of which 59.9% were women and 40.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
57 degrees awarded
General Economics
32 degrees awarded
US Government & Politics
31 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Salem, OR was General Business Administration & Management with 57 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Willamette University
551 degrees awarded
Corban University
261 degrees awarded
Johnny Matthew's Hairdressing Training School
56 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Willamette University with 551 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 410 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Salem, OR, which is 0.801 times less than the 512 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 545 degrees mean that there were 3.71 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 147 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

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($44,026) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($534) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($967) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Salem, OR was $416,900 in 2024, which is 1.25 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $382,400 to $416,900, a 9.02% increase. The homeownership rate in Salem, OR is 55.9%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Salem, OR have an average commute time of 22 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

$416,900

Median Property Value 2024

±$6,183

$37,812

Median Property Taxes

±$1,386

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

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

Rent vs Own

55.9%

Homeownership

2024

67%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 55.9% of the housing units in Salem, OR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 55.7%.

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

Equity

Household Income

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

$75,487

Median Household Income

± $2,354

67.6k

Number of Households

± 2,236

In 2024, the median household income of the 67.6k households in Salem, OR grew to $75,487 from the previous year's value of $71,900.

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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.459

2024 Wage GINI in Oregon

0.461

2023 Wage GINI in Oregon

In 2024, the income inequality in Oregon was 0.459 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.412% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Oregon was lower than than the national average of 0.474. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (65.3%)
Worked At Home (15.8%)
Carpooled (11.4%)

In 2024, 65.3% of workers in Salem, OR drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (15.8%) and those who carpooled to work (11.4%).

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

22 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Salem, OR have a shorter commute time (22 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.68% 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.

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.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

14.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Salem, OR (24.5k out of 171k 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 18 - 24 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Salem, OR 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.