Salem, OR
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around Salem to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in Salem, Oregon

Life in Salem research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Salem over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Here's a snapshot of Salem based on the most recently available data.

178,865 Population
$436,317 Median home value
$75,487 Median income
116 Cost of living +16% vs US
$1,400 Median rent
5.8% Unemployment
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Salem SnackAbility

6
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 6/10
Housing 8.5/10
Affordability 5/10
Diversity 8.5/10
Safety 4/10
Amenities 9.5/10
Education 7/10
Commute 8/10

Crime in Salem summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Salem. Key points include:

  • There were 5,935 total crimes in Salem in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Salem is 3,335.5 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Salem is 532.2 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Salem is 2,803.3 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Salem is 57.39% above the national average.

5,935
Total Crimes
57.39%
Above National Average
Salem
US

Crime In Salem Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Salem
/ 100k People
Oregon
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 5,935 3,335.5 2,719.1 2,119.2
Violent Crime 947 532.2 331.0 359.0
Murder 8 4.5 3.7 5.0
Robbery 158 88.8 57.0 61.0
Aggravated Assault 715 401.8 229.1 256.0
Property Crime 4,988 2,803.3 2,388.0 1,760.0
Burglary 787 442.3 306.5 229.0
Larceny 3,498 1,965.9 1,789.5 1,272.0
Car Theft 703 395.1 292.1 259.0
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Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

Cost of living in Salem summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Salem. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around Oregon. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Salem is 116 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Salem is 1.2x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in Salem is $436,317.

  • The median income in Salem is $75,487.

116
Salem's Overall Cost Of Living
1.2x
Higher Than The National Average
Salem
US

Cost Of Living In Salem Comparison Table

Living Expense Salem Oregon National Average
Overall 116 109 100
Services 105 104 100
Groceries 108 106 100
Health 134 125 100
Housing 103 104 100
Transportation 111 106 100
Utilities 105 105 100
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Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 100

Salem, OR Weather

  • The average high in Salem is 62.7° and the average low is 42.8°.

  • There are 90.9 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 43.0 inches of precipitation each year with 5.1 inches of snow.

StatSalem
Average Annual High62.7
Average Annual Low42.8
Annual Precipitation Days90.9
Average Annual Precipitation43.0
Average Annual Snowfall5.1
62.7°
Average High
90.9
Days of Rain

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

Salem, OR Photos

Orcap
Source: Public Domain
Salem Oregon Downtown
Source: Wikipedia User M.O. Stevens | CC BY-SA 3.0
Riverfront Park Carousel  Salemc Oregon
Source: Public Domain
Willametteuniversitystream
Source: Wikipedia User User:Cacophony | CC BY-SA 2.5
Orsalempaddleboat
Source: Public Domain
United Methodist Salem Oregon Corner
Source: Public Domain
Marion County Courthouse
Source: Public Domain
Ivy Haning Over Salem Alley
Source: Wikipedia User Andrew Parodi at English | CC BY-SA 3.0
South Salem Neighborhood Covered In Snow
Source: Public Domain

1 Reviews & Comments About Salem

HomeSnacks User · 2018-07-15 14:45:30.134268
rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

Nestled in the lush and colorful Willamette Valley--just 50 miles south of Portland you'll find Salem, Oregon's capital. With low crime, a sprawling economy, great wages, and highly educated work force, Salem makes for a vibrant community to raise a family, or meet that special someone. The recreational opportunities, year-round are truly unsurpassed. Ranging from the pacfic northwest's majestic cascade range--which offers excellent snow-sports and hiking, to oregon's picturesque oregon coast--with awe-inspiring cliffs, and scenic beauty that rivals any other beaches found on the east coast.

Cultural diversity, natural beauty, and good drivers!

Rankings & Articles For Salem

Locations Around Salem

Map Of Salem, OR

Best Places Around Salem

1

Keizer, OR
Population 39,082

$450,014+3% vs Salem
2

Dallas, OR
Population 17,531

$474,062+9% vs Salem
3

Silverton, OR
Population 10,456

$546,989+25% vs Salem
4

Four Corners, OR
Population 16,275

$355,446-19% vs Salem
5

Stayton, OR
Population 8,292

$463,064+6% vs Salem
6

Woodburn, OR
Population 27,875

$425,247-3% vs Salem
7

Hayesville, OR
Population 21,246

$411,360-6% vs Salem
8

Independence, OR
Population 10,199

$425,945-2% vs Salem
9

Monmouth, OR
Population 11,428

$473,961+9% vs Salem

Salem Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Salem

The current population in Salem is 178,865. The population has increased 17.8% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2024 178,865 1.2%
2023 176,666 0.5%
2022 175,754 0.9%
2021 174,193 1.4%
2020 171,806 1.5%
2019 169,259 1.5%
2018 166,756 1.9%
2017 163,654 1.0%
2016 161,975 1.2%
2015 160,008 1.3%
2014 157,967 0.7%
2013 156,937 1.4%
2012 154,835 0.9%
2011 153,481 1.1%
2010 151,809 -

Race / Ethnicity in Salem

White 61.3% (109,605)
African American 1.6% (2,781)
American Indian 0.5% (925)
Asian 3.6% (6,377)
Hawaiian 1.5% (2,717)
Other 0.6% (1,015)
Two Or More 5.6% (10,005)
Hispanic 25.4% (45,440)
See the full breakdown

Salem is:

  • 61.3% White with 109,605 White residents.

  • 1.6% African American with 2,781 African American residents.

  • 0.5% American Indian with 925 American Indian residents.

  • 3.6% Asian with 6,377 Asian residents.

  • 1.5% Hawaiian with 2,717 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.6% Other with 1,015 Other residents.

  • 5.6% Two Or More with 10,005 Two Or More residents.

  • 25.4% Hispanic with 45,440 Hispanic residents.

Race Salem OR USA
White 61.3% 71.4% 57.4%
African American 1.6% 1.8% 11.9%
American Indian 0.5% 0.6% 0.5%
Asian 3.6% 4.4% 5.9%
Hawaiian 1.5% 0.4% 0.2%
Other 0.6% 0.6% 0.6%
Two Or More 5.6% 6.1% 4.3%
Hispanic 25.4% 14.7% 19.3%

Gender in Salem

Female 49.7% (88,943)
Male 50.3% (89,922)
See the full breakdown
  • Salem is 49.7% female with 88,943 female residents.

  • Salem is 50.3% male with 89,922 male residents.

Gender Salem OR USA
Female 49.7% 50.1% 50.5%
Male 50.3% 49.9% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Salem for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 6.0% (10,731)
9-12th Grade 6.0% (10,731)
High School / GED 23.0% (41,138)
Some College 25.0% (44,716)
Associate's Degree 9.0% (16,097)
Bachelor's Degree 19.0% (33,984)
Master's Degree 9.0% (16,097)
Professional Degree 2.0% (3,577)
Doctorate Degree 1.0% (1,788)
See the full breakdown
  • 6.0% of adults in Salem completed < 9th grade.

  • 6.0% of adults in Salem completed 9-12th grade.

  • 23.0% of adults in Salem completed high school / ged.

  • 25.0% of adults in Salem completed some college.

  • 9.0% of adults in Salem completed associate's degree.

  • 19.0% of adults in Salem completed bachelor's degree.

  • 9.0% of adults in Salem completed master's degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in Salem completed professional degree.

  • 1.0% of adults in Salem completed doctorate degree.

Education Salem OR USA
< 9th Grade 6.0% 3.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 6.0% 5.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 23.0% 22.0% 26.0%
Some College 25.0% 24.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 9.0% 9.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 19.0% 23.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 9.0% 10.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 1.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Salem, Oregon

Less than $10,000 4.8% (862,468)
$10,000 to $14,999 3.6% (646,917)
$15,000 to $24,999 6.2% (1,111,079)
$25,000 to $34,999 7.0% (1,247,286)
$35,000 to $49,999 9.8% (1,761,435)
$50,000 to $74,999 18.2% (3,261,035)
$75,000 to $99,999 13.2% (2,354,927)
$100,000 to $149,999 19.7% (3,526,308)
$150,000 to $199,999 8.0% (1,437,976)
$200,000 or more 9.4% (1,677,065)
See the full breakdown
  • 4.8% of households in Salem earn Less than $10,000.

  • 3.6% of households in Salem earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 6.2% of households in Salem earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 7.0% of households in Salem earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 9.8% of households in Salem earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 18.2% of households in Salem earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 13.2% of households in Salem earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 19.7% of households in Salem earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 8.0% of households in Salem earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 9.4% of households in Salem earn $200,000 or more.

Income Salem OR USA
Less than $10,000 4.8% 4.5% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 3.6% 3.2% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 6.2% 6.1% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 7.0% 6.2% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 9.8% 10.0% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 18.2% 15.4% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 13.2% 13.2% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 19.7% 18.5% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 8.0% 10.1% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 9.4% 12.7% 13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)