Salem, Oregon
City Overview
As of 2007, Salem's population is 152,239 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 11.19 percent.
The median home cost in Salem is $265,600. Home appreciation the last year has been -1.13 percent.
Compared to the rest of the country, Salem's cost of living is 4.60% Lower than the U.S. average.
Salem public schools spend $5,714 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058. There are about 20 students per teacher in Salem.
The unemployment rate in Salem is 5.00 percent(U.S. avg. is 4.60%). Recent job growth is Positive. Salem jobs have Increased by 1.37 percent.
Salem SperlingFile
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People
The 2007 Salem, OR, population is 152,239. There are 3,331 people per square mile (population density).
Family in Salem, OR
The median age is 34.9. The US median is 37.6. 53.29% of people in Salem, OR, are married. 13.44% are divorced.
The average household size is 2.5 people. 21.97% of people are married, with children. 10.11% have children, but are single.
Race in Salem, OR
81.42% of people are white, 1.38% are black, 3.09% are asian, 1.52% are native american, and 13.02% claim 'Other'.
17.90% of the people in Salem, OR, claim hispanic ethnicity (meaning 82.10% are non-hispanic).
Salem People SperlingViews
re: Will someone PLEASE tell us what your city is : If you are socially progressive, don't move to Salem. I am a very liberal minded person, and there are a few of us here, but the majority of the people are not.
I... (read more)Salem overview: I appreciate Salem's viable downtown. If you live in any of the nice neighborhoods close-in, you can completely avoid malls & sprawl. Downtown has Nordstrom, Kohl's TJ... (read more)re: Will someone PLEASE tell us what your city is : When people say they are "progressive" it is code for unhappy, narcissistic freaks. Stay away from... (read more)Have an opinion about Salem? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Salem Click Here
Economy
The unemployment rate in Salem, OR, is 5.00%, with job growth of 1.37%. Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 20.65%.
Salem, OR Taxes
Salem, OR,sales tax rate is 0.00%. Income tax is 9.00%.
Salem, OR Income and Salaries
The income per capita is $21,576, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $45,240.
Salem Economy SperlingViews
Weather in Salem, Oregon: Salem is a nice place to live but the winters can be too long, dreary and rainy for my taste. Looking forward to retirement in an area where I can golf year-round. The... (read more)re: Will someone PLEASE tell us what your city is : If you are socially progressive, don't move to Salem. I am a very liberal minded person, and there are a few of us here, but the majority of the people are not.
I... (read more)Salem overview: I appreciate Salem's viable downtown. If you live in any of the nice neighborhoods close-in, you can completely avoid malls & sprawl. Downtown has Nordstrom, Kohl's TJ... (read more)Have an opinion about Salem? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Salem Click Here
| Unemployment Rate | 5.00% | 4.60% |
| Recent Job Growth | 1.37% | 1.40% |
| Future Job Growth | 20.65% | 11.90% |
| Sales Taxes | 0.00% | 6.00% |
| Income Taxes | 9.00% | 5.02% |
| Income per Cap. | $21,576 | $24,020 |
| Household Income | $45,240 | $44,684 |
| ESTIMATED HOUSEHOLDS BY HOUSEHOLD INCOME | | |
| Income Less Than 15K | 13.71% | 13.64% |
| Income between 15K and 25K | 12.13% | 11.21% |
| Income between 25K and 35K | 13.32% | 11.46% |
| Income between 35K and 50K | 17.94% | 15.84% |
| Income between 50K and 75K | 20.40% | 19.28% |
| Income between 75K and 100K | 10.78% | 11.53% |
| Income between 100K and 150K | 8.37% | 10.70% |
| Income between 150K and 250K | 2.28% | 4.43% |
| Income between 250K and 500K | 0.70% | 1.31% |
| Income greater than 500K | 0.37% | 0.61% |
| POPULATION BY OCCUPATION | | |
| Management, Business, and Financial Operations | 13.15% | 13.61% |
| Professional and Related Occupations | 19.79% | 20.24% |
| Service | 16.63% | 14.75% |
| Sales and Office | 27.06% | 26.74% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | 2.44% | 0.74% |
| Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance | 7.85% | 9.48% |
| Production, Transportation, and Material Moving | 13.09% | 14.44% |
Housing
The median home value in Salem, OR, is $265,600. Home appreciation is -1.13% over the last year. The median age of Salem, OR, real estate is 30 years.
Salem, OR Apartments and Rentals
Renters make up 39.67% of the Salem, OR, population. 5.77% of houses and apartments in Salem, OR, are unoccupied (vacancy rate).
Salem Housing SperlingViews
Nice Salem: Salem is a nice city with very affordable cost of living. There is not too much recreation but if you like a quiet place, this is... (read more)Meth: I lived in Salem for over 2 years and I will say that Salem has a very serious problem with meth.
I know that "meth is everywhere," however, you see more people in... (read more)cops are crooked: as long as you don't get to know them in any way you are safe. i went from being a victume to being a criminal and don't even know how be careful of the... (read more)Have an opinion about Salem? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Salem Click Here
| Median Home Age | 30 | 27 |
| Median Home Cost | $265,600 | $217,200 |
| Home Appreciation | -1.13% | 9.80% |
| Homes Owned | 54.14% | 64.07% |
| Housing Vacant | 5.77% | 14.48% |
| Homes Rented | 39.67% | 21.45% |
| Property Tax Rate | $11.00 | $13.28 |
| OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS BY VALUE | | |
| Less Than $20,000 | 2.12% | 3.01% |
| $20,000 to $39,999 | 2.29% | 4.37% |
| $40,000 to $59,999 | 2.44% | 5.74% |
| $60,000 to $79,999 | 2.64% | 7.07% |
| $80,000 to $99,999 | 5.27% | 8.41% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 33.93% | 19.74% |
| $150,000 to $199,999 | 28.23% | 14.06% |
| $200,000 to $299,999 | 17.97% | 16.59% |
| $300,000 to $399,999 | 3.13% | 8.21% |
| $400,000 to $499,999 | 0.91% | 4.53% |
| $500,000 to $749,999 | 0.60% | 4.75% |
| $1,000,000 or more | 0.21% | 1.86% |
| HOUSING UNITS BY YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT | | |
| 1999 to October 2005 | 8.97% | 10.15% |
| 1995 to 1998 | 10.48% | 6.69% |
| 1990 to 1994 | 8.87% | 6.70% |
| 1980 to 1989 | 11.45% | 14.75% |
| 1970 to 1979 | 21.50% | 17.11% |
| 1960 to 1969 | 11.15% | 12.78% |
| 1950 to 1959 | 11.80% | 11.64% |
| 1940 to 1949 | 6.76% | 6.64% |
| 1939 or Earlier | 9.02% | 13.55% |
Health
There are 168 physicians per capita in Salem, OR. The US average is 170.
Salem, OR Health Index
Air quality in Salem, OR is 23 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). This is based on ozone alert days and number of pollutants in the air, as reported by the EPA.
Water quality in Salem, OR is 60 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators.
Superfund index is 98 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). This is upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts.
Salem Health SperlingViews
A great escape: Just wanted to say what a relaxing time I spent at the West Linn MedSpa. I was greeted warmly and the staff was very professional--Alina's graciosness and Michele's... (read more)There is nothing to do : I moved to Salem 2 years ago, and will be leaving this summer. There is nothing to do here. When I ask people who have lived in Salem all of their lives, they agree.... (read more)re: Any great small towns nearby to live in? - 2/4: Try Silverton or M.t Angel. ... (read more)Have an opinion about Salem? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Salem Click Here
Crime
Salem, OR, violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 5. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 3.
Salem, OR, property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 7. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 3.
Salem Crime SperlingViews
Meth: I lived in Salem for over 2 years and I will say that Salem has a very serious problem with meth.
I know that "meth is everywhere," however, you see more people in... (read more)cops are crooked: as long as you don't get to know them in any way you are safe. i went from being a victume to being a criminal and don't even know how be careful of the... (read more)re: Will someone PLEASE tell us what your city is : If you are socially progressive, don't move to Salem. I am a very liberal minded person, and there are a few of us here, but the majority of the people are not.
I... (read more)Have an opinion about Salem? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Salem Click Here
Climate
Salem, OR, gets 49 inches of rain per year. The US average is 37. Snowfall is 9 inches. The average US city gets 25 inches of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 140.
On average, there are 154 sunny days per year in Salem, OR. The July high is around 82 degrees. The January low is 33. Our comfort index, which is based on humidity during the hot months, is a 65 out of 100, where higher is more comfortable. The US average on the comfort index is 44.
Salem Climate SperlingViews
Weather in Salem, Oregon: Salem is a nice place to live but the winters can be too long, dreary and rainy for my taste. Looking forward to retirement in an area where I can golf year-round. The... (read more)re: Will someone PLEASE tell us what your city is : If you are socially progressive, don't move to Salem. I am a very liberal minded person, and there are a few of us here, but the majority of the people are not.
I... (read more)Salem overview: I appreciate Salem's viable downtown. If you live in any of the nice neighborhoods close-in, you can completely avoid malls & sprawl. Downtown has Nordstrom, Kohl's TJ... (read more)Have an opinion about Salem? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Salem Click Here
Educate
Salem, OR, schools spend $5,714 per student. There are 20 pupils per teacher, 408 students per librarian, and 453 children per counselor in Salem, OR schools.
Salem Education SperlingViews
There is nothing to do : I moved to Salem 2 years ago, and will be leaving this summer. There is nothing to do here. When I ask people who have lived in Salem all of their lives, they agree.... (read more)re: Any great small towns nearby to live in? - 2/4: Try Silverton or M.t Angel. ... (read more)awesome city: Salem is so cute, it is almost a real American city but it's just too tiny to really count. Even though it's the state capitol of Oregon, everyone knows the real action... (read more)Have an opinion about Salem? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Salem Click Here
Transportation
The average one-way commute in Salem, OR, takes 25 minutes. 73% of commuters drive their own car alone. 15% carpool with others. 3% take mass transit and 4% work from home.
Salem Transportation SperlingViews
Weather in Salem, Oregon: Salem is a nice place to live but the winters can be too long, dreary and rainy for my taste. Looking forward to retirement in an area where I can golf year-round. The... (read more)re: Will someone PLEASE tell us what your city is : If you are socially progressive, don't move to Salem. I am a very liberal minded person, and there are a few of us here, but the majority of the people are not.
I... (read more)Salem overview: I appreciate Salem's viable downtown. If you live in any of the nice neighborhoods close-in, you can completely avoid malls & sprawl. Downtown has Nordstrom, Kohl's TJ... (read more)Have an opinion about Salem? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Salem Click Here
Cost of Living
Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 means Salem, OR is cheaper than the US average. A cost of living index above 100 means Salem, OR is more expensive.
Overall, Salem, OR cost of living is 95.40.
Salem Cost of Living SperlingViews
Nice Salem: Salem is a nice city with very affordable cost of living. There is not too much recreation but if you like a quiet place, this is... (read more)Meth: I lived in Salem for over 2 years and I will say that Salem has a very serious problem with meth.
I know that "meth is everywhere," however, you see more people in... (read more)cops are crooked: as long as you don't get to know them in any way you are safe. i went from being a victume to being a criminal and don't even know how be careful of the... (read more)Have an opinion about Salem? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Salem Click Here
Religion
37.56% of the people in Salem, OR are religious, meaning they affiliate with a religion. 13.37% are Catholic; 11.99% are Protestant; 2.61% are LDS; 9.11% are another Christian faith; 0.35% in Salem, OR are Jewish; 0.12% are an eastern faith; 0.00% affilite with Islam.
Salem Religion SperlingViews
There is nothing to do : I moved to Salem 2 years ago, and will be leaving this summer. There is nothing to do here. When I ask people who have lived in Salem all of their lives, they agree.... (read more)re: Any great small towns nearby to live in? - 2/4: Try Silverton or M.t Angel. ... (read more)awesome city: Salem is so cute, it is almost a real American city but it's just too tiny to really count. Even though it's the state capitol of Oregon, everyone knows the real action... (read more)Have an opinion about Salem? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Salem Click Here
| Percent Religious | 37.56% | 50.03% |
| Catholic | 13.37% | 21.92% |
| Protestant | 11.99% | 19.12% |
| LDS | 2.61% | 1.57% |
| Baptist | 2.45% | 8.16% |
| Episcopalian | 0.62% | 8.12% |
| Pentecostal | 2.92% | 1.89% |
| Lutheran | 2.81% | 2.81% |
| Methodist | 2.27% | 3.84% |
| Presbyterian | 0.93% | 1.33% |
| Other Christian | 9.11% | 4.66% |
| Jewish | 0.35% | 2.16% |
| Eastern | 0.12% | 0.05% |
| Islam | 0.00% | 0.54% |
Voting
44.49% of the people in Salem, OR are registered as Democrats. 53.93% are registered Republican. Remaining are independent: 1.58%.
Salem Voting SperlingViews
Meth: I lived in Salem for over 2 years and I will say that Salem has a very serious problem with meth.
I know that "meth is everywhere," however, you see more people in... (read more)cops are crooked: as long as you don't get to know them in any way you are safe. i went from being a victume to being a criminal and don't even know how be careful of the... (read more)re: Will someone PLEASE tell us what your city is : If you are socially progressive, don't move to Salem. I am a very liberal minded person, and there are a few of us here, but the majority of the people are not.
I... (read more)Have an opinion about Salem? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Salem Click Here