Salem, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, Massachusetts had a total population of 44,795, the 30th largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $85,153, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Salem Quick Facts
How Salem Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,241 | 44,795 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $85,137 | $85,153 | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $497,400 | $542,800 | +9.1% |
How Salem Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Essex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynn | 101,709 | $75,043 | 13.8% | $510,100 |
| Lawrence | 88,736 | $60,433 | 17.6% | $415,200 |
| Haverhill | 67,698 | $88,326 | 11.3% | $453,900 |
| Peabody | 54,695 | $96,657 | 7.6% | $596,200 |
| Beverly | 42,665 | $106,044 | 9.4% | $650,300 |
| Gloucester | 30,075 | $83,883 | 9.6% | $600,600 |
| Saugus | 28,773 | $101,539 | 6.0% | $603,400 |
| Danvers | 28,098 | $125,395 | 4.8% | $644,200 |
| Marblehead | 20,413 | $182,132 | 4.4% | $943,900 |
| Newburyport | 18,652 | $139,625 | 5.0% | $834,000 |
Cities Similar to Salem
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leominster | 43,909 | $83,816 | $380,400 | 33.5% | 9.2% |
| Everett | 50,045 | $85,218 | $610,000 | 24.9% | 14.7% |
| Marlborough | 41,647 | $91,968 | $513,100 | 40.5% | 9.6% |
| Attleboro | 46,762 | $98,954 | $448,100 | 34.0% | 8.6% |
| Westfield | 40,378 | $87,753 | $325,100 | 33.2% | 10.7% |
Population Overview
Salem is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts, within Essex County. The total population is 44,795. It ranks as the 30th most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 39.3 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem is $85,153. This is 18% lower than the state median of $103,960. It is also 5% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.1%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. The median home value is $542,800. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 49.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Salem is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.7% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
47.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 47.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.9%. Notably, 20.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, Massachusetts is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Salem, Massachusetts?
Salem, Massachusetts has a population of 44,795 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, MA?
The median household income in Salem is $85,153, which is 5% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, MA?
The poverty rate in Salem is 12.1%. This means approximately 5,245 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, Massachusetts?
Salem's population is 66.4% White, 4.6% Black, 20.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, MA?
The median home value in Salem is $542,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Salem, Massachusetts?
47.8% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.