Salem, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, Oregon had a total population of 178,865, the 3rd largest city in Oregon, with a median household income of $75,487, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Salem is the 3rd largest city in Oregon with a population of 178,865.
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 | 176,666 | 178,865 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $71,900 | $75,487 | +5.0% |
| Median home value | $382,400 | $416,900 | +9.0% |
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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem Rankings in Oregon
Explore Oregon Rankings
Other Cities in Marion County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keizer | 39,082 | $84,813 | 8.1% | $434,100 |
| Woodburn | 27,875 | $67,347 | 16.3% | $331,800 |
| Hayesville | 21,246 | $58,624 | 23.7% | $365,400 |
| Four Corners | 16,275 | $69,669 | 13.9% | $340,200 |
| Silverton | 10,456 | $79,960 | 10.7% | $484,800 |
| Stayton | 8,292 | $78,268 | 10.5% | $409,700 |
| Aumsville | 4,230 | $90,987 | 13.5% | $296,400 |
| Hubbard | 3,406 | $101,771 | 3.5% | $436,800 |
| Mount Angel | 3,393 | $62,232 | 14.0% | $430,600 |
| Jefferson | 3,301 | $102,159 | 9.2% | $373,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | 179,591 | $66,562 | $460,400 | 45.1% | 19.0% |
| Gresham | 112,378 | $77,795 | $458,700 | 23.3% | 13.0% |
| Bend | 103,390 | $96,394 | $718,400 | 52.9% | 8.8% |
| Hillsboro | 108,231 | $106,409 | $521,100 | 42.3% | 8.5% |
| Beaverton | 97,812 | $98,622 | $569,800 | 50.1% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
Salem is a major urban center located in Oregon, within Marion County. The total population is 178,865. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 36.0 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem is $75,487. This is 9% lower than the state median of $83,011. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $416,900. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 55.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Salem is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (25.4% vs 14.7%).
Education
31.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 36.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, Oregon 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 Oregon state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Oregon. 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, Oregon?
Salem, Oregon has a population of 178,865 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, OR?
The median household income in Salem is $75,487, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, OR?
The poverty rate in Salem is 14.4%. This means approximately 24,536 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, Oregon?
Salem's population is 61.3% White, 1.6% Black, 25.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, OR?
The median home value in Salem is $416,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Salem, Oregon?
31.5% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.