Salem city, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Salem city, Massachusetts has a total population of 44,241, the 30th largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $85,137, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Salem city Quick Facts
How Salem city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem city Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Essex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynn city | 100,905 | $74,715 | 13.7% | $472,600 |
| Lawrence city | 88,297 | $57,903 | 18.2% | $393,500 |
| Haverhill city | 67,387 | $87,675 | 10.6% | $426,900 |
| Peabody city | 54,180 | $95,278 | 6.5% | $566,200 |
| Methuen Town city | 53,043 | $103,270 | 8.2% | $472,200 |
| Beverly city | 42,408 | $103,739 | 10.0% | $621,900 |
| Gloucester city | 29,862 | $87,898 | 10.7% | $587,800 |
| Newburyport city | 18,444 | $144,259 | 5.1% | $792,400 |
| Amesbury Town city | 17,277 | $100,599 | 7.0% | $475,400 |
Cities Similar to Salem city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leominster city | 43,697 | $81,556 | $345,000 | 32.3% | 10.1% |
| Attleboro city | 46,499 | $93,266 | $409,100 | 33.7% | 9.2% |
| Westfield city | 40,673 | $82,847 | $295,500 | 32.6% | 11.0% |
| Marlborough city | 41,398 | $95,047 | $485,400 | 40.6% | 9.2% |
| Pittsfield city | 43,559 | $68,386 | $233,700 | 34.2% | 13.6% |
Population Overview
Salem city is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Essex County. The total population is 44,241. It ranks as the 30th most populous out of 248 cities and towns in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem city is 38.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem city is $85,137. This is 16% lower than the state median of $101,341. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 8% higher. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 37% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. The median home value is $497,400. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $525,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 51.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Salem city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (19.4% vs 12.9%). The Asian population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
49.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 46.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.9%. Notably, 20.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem city, Massachusetts is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Massachusetts state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Salem city, Massachusetts?
Salem city, Massachusetts has a population of 44,241 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem city, MA?
The median household income in Salem city is $85,137, which is 8% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Salem city, MA?
The poverty rate in Salem city is 13.7%. This means approximately 5,870 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem city, Massachusetts?
Salem city's population is 67.7% White, 5.1% Black, 19.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem city, MA?
The median home value in Salem city is $497,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Salem city, Massachusetts?
49.6% of adults (25+) in Salem city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.