2025 Compare Cities People:
Salem, OR vs Des Moines, IA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Des Moines is 0% more densely populated than Salem.
- People are 10.3% less likely to be married in Des Moines.
- The Median Age is 1.5 years younger in Des Moines.
 Salem, ORDes Moines, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock213,545329,725,481
 Female Population49.0%  Unlock50.5%
 Male Population51.0%  Unlock49.5%
 Median Age  Unlock34.238.4
 space3
 Population - 2010155,223  Unlock309,327,143
 Population - 2000  Unlock198,682285,036,114
 Population - 1990107,786  Unlock251,960,433
 Pop. 2000 to Now  Unlock6.9%15.6%
 Pop. 1990 to Now63.2%  Unlock30.8%
 space4
 Population Density  Unlock2,421.793.4
 Land Area48.6  Unlock3,531,905.4
 Water Area  Unlock2.5264,836.8
 space
 Est. Total Population By Age
 Salem, ORDes Moines, IAUnited States
 Age 0 to 46.2%  Unlock5.9%
 Age 5 to 9  Unlock6.4%6.1%
 Age 10 to 147.1%  Unlock6.6%
 Age 15 to 17  Unlock3.9%3.9%
 Age 18 to 204.3%  Unlock4.0%
 Age 21 to 24  Unlock6.0%5.2%
 Age 25 to 3415.5%  Unlock13.8%
 Age 35 to 44  Unlock12.8%12.9%
 Age 45 to 5411.6%  Unlock12.6%
 Age 55 to 59  Unlock6.5%6.7%
 Age 60 to 646.0%  Unlock6.3%
 Age 65 to 74  Unlock7.6%9.6%
 Age 75 to 844.2%  Unlock4.5%
 Age 85 and over  Unlock1.5%1.9%
 space1
 Race
 Salem, ORDes Moines, IAUnited States
 White65.8%  Unlock59.4%
 Black  Unlock10.9%12.2%
 Asian3.2%  Unlock5.6%
 Native American  Unlock0.2%0.6%
 Hawaiian, Pacific Islander1.7%  Unlock0.2%
 Other  Unlock0.2%0.4%
 Two or More Races4.8%  Unlock3.2%
 Hispanic  Unlock14.6%18.4%
 space2
 Marriage & Family
 Salem, ORDes Moines, IAUnited States
 Married Population46.7%  Unlock49.8%
     Currently Married  Unlock39.8%48.0%
 Married but Separated1.6%  Unlock1.8%
 Single Population  Unlock58.1%50.2%
 Never Married34.6%  Unlock33.8%
 Divorced  Unlock13.0%10.8%
 Widowed5.2%  Unlock5.6%
 space5
 Household Size  Unlock2.402.60
 Households64,426  Unlock124,010,992
 Family Households  Unlock48,16180,755,759
     Married couple, w/children31.3%  Unlock30.5%
     Married couple, no children  Unlock35.4%42.9%
 Non Family Households24,044  Unlock43,255,233
     Single householder, w/children  Unlock24.5%15.8%
     Single householder, no children9.9%  Unlock10.8%
Reviews for Salem    37 Reviews

After reading the reviews here, I had to come write my own. The problem I had with most of the reviews is that most were very opinion-based and seemed to assume everyone  More

   |    Reply

Moved here approx. 4 years ago from SW Michigan, but I've lived in 9 other cities & 5 other states. Salem is a very manageable sized city, with tons of parks, diverse  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

I'm a native 5th generation Oregonian, so bear in mind that I was born with webs between my toes! Anyway, I used to think it rained too much when I was young. Then I  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Salem

Reviews for Des Moines    53 Reviews

Des Moines is a ok and pretty quiet place but as a teen it could be dramatic because Des Moines do have is fair or violents places to avoid in Des Moines would be the  More

   |    Reply

Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

This city is violent, there are too many gangs especially on the north  More

   |    Reply

Over 6 years ago

Good for the old that like slow pace and cheap buffets. Also good for non-descript mid-westerners that don't like a lot of action. No nightlife or mountains to hike  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Des Moines


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.