Homefactsby IDLookupNew search

Neighborhood report

Salem, MA

Founded 1626Essex CountyElev. 8 m
Population
44,241
Median home
$497,400
Disaster risk
Relatively High
Public schools
12
Sex offenders
2

Overview

About Salem

Salem is a city in Massachusetts with about 44,241 residents. Salem was founded in 1626 and sits in Essex County. The median age is 38.5 and the median household income is $85,137. Homes carry a median value of $497,400, and about 51% of residents own where they live. White residents make up the largest share of the population (67.6%). Around 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the typical commute runs about 30 minutes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).

Look up anyone in Salem, MA
Search Salem residents by name — addresses, phone numbers, relatives, criminal & public records.
Search people →

Who lives here

Demographics

Population
44,241
Median age
38.5
Median household income
$85,137
Per-capita income
$49,734
Poverty rate
13.7%
High-school grad or higher
91.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher
49.6%
Unemployment
5.2%
Avg. commute
29.9 min
Work from home
19.4%
Residents by race & ethnicity
White67.6%
Hispanic or Latino19.4%
Black5.1%
Asian3.3%
Workforce by occupation
Management, business, science & arts49.6%
Sales & office20.3%
Service17%
Production, transportation & material moving8.4%
Natural resources, construction & maintenance4.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).

Housing

Property report

Median home value
$497,400
Median gross rent
$1,800/mo
Owner-occupied
51.4%
Median year built
1938
Households
19,789
Avg. household size
2.16

Area-level figures. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS (5-year). Parcel-level records coming next.

Education

Schools

Schools: Below average

Salem has 12 public schools — 6 elementary, 1 middle, 4 high.

Student proficiency · grade 8, 4 schools
Reading38%
Math31%

% of students at or above proficient on state assessments.

New Liberty Innovation SchoolHighGrades 9–12
Salem Academy Charter SchoolHighGrades 6–12charter
Salem HighHighGrades 9–12
Salem Prep High SchoolHighGrades 9–12
Collins MiddleMiddleGrades 6–8
BatesElementaryGrades -1–5
Bentley Academy Innovation SchoolElementary
CarltonElementary
Horace Mann LaboratoryElementaryGrades -1–5
Saltonstall SchoolElementary
Witchcraft HeightsElementary
Salem Early ChildhoodGrades -1–-1

Public schools + grade-8 proficiency. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES directory + EDFacts assessments), via Urban Institute.

Safety

Crime

violent crime51% below national
Salem191
Massachusetts327
United States386
↓ 23% lower than 2019
2019–2023
property crime20% below national
Salem1,560
Massachusetts1,150
United States1,952
↓ 8% lower than 2019
2019–2023

Rate per 100,000 residents/year, Salem Police Department, 2023. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS (Crime Data Explorer).

Environment

Environmental hazards

Toxic-release sites and regulated facilities in and around Salem.

Data source being added: U.S. EPA — Toxics Release Inventory (public). We show real, sourced figures only — never estimates.

Risk

Natural disaster risk

Relatively High
Top hazards · Essex County
Coastal floodingVery High
Ice stormVery High
HurricaneRelatively High
LightningRelatively High
Riverine floodingRelatively High
Strong windRelatively High

County-level natural-hazard risk. Source: FEMA National Risk Index.

Context

Neighborhood info

Salem is in Essex County — see county-wide risk, demographics, and registry.

Salem was founded in 1626 and sits in Essex County. Elevation ~8 m.

Population trend
45K40K44,24120002024
Map of Salem
Salem, MA
Where Salem is
BostonWorcesterSpringfieldCambridgeLowellBrocktonSalem
Historic places

27 on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bowker PlaceChoate, Rufus, HouseFirst Universalist ChurchMonroe, Bessie, HousePeabody, John P., HouseSalem LandryShepard BlockWesley Methodist Church
Notable people from Salem
Nathaniel HawthorneBenjamin PeirceTimothy PickeringWilliam Hickling PrescottMike FlanaganChristopher CassidyGardner DozoisAndy BuckleyFrank Weston BensonNathaniel Bowditch
People searches in Salem
Michael Smith (7)John Smith (6)James Smith (6)David Smith (5)Robert Smith (5)Michael Johnson (5)John Johnson (5)James Johnson (5)Michael Williams (5)William Smith (4)David Johnson (4)Robert Johnson (4)John Williams (4)Michael Brown (4)Michael Jones (4)James Williams (4)David Williams (4)John Brown (4)Robert Williams (4)John Jones (4)William Johnson (3)Mary Smith (3)James Brown (3)James Jones (3)
Nearby cities
Lynn (4 mi)Peabody (4 mi)Beverly (5 mi)Revere (7 mi)Malden (9 mi)Everett (10 mi)

Registered sex offenders in Salem, MA (2)

Public sex-offender registry records for Salem, Massachusetts.

Robert E Jones, 57
Salem · Essex County · 01970
AKA Robert E Jones
John K Nelson, 43
Salem · Essex County · 01970
AKA John Nelson

Source: Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and state registries. Public record. This information is provided for public awareness. Using it to harass, threaten, or discriminate against any registrant, or for any purpose prohibited by law, is illegal. Verify against the official registry record before relying on it.

Common questions

Salem — frequently asked

What is the population of Salem, Massachusetts?
Salem has a population of about 44,241, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year).
What is the average home value in Salem?
The median home value in Salem is $497,400, and the median gross rent is $1,800/month (U.S. Census ACS).
Is Salem safe? What is the crime rate?
Salem Police Department reported a violent-crime rate of about 191 per 100,000 residents in 2023 — lower than the U.S. rate of 386. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS.
What natural-disaster risks does Salem face?
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Essex County as "Relatively High" overall, with top hazards including coastal flooding, ice storm, hurricane.
How many schools are in Salem?
Salem has 12 public schools (6 elementary, 1 middle, 4 high). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES.
How many registered sex offenders are in Salem?
Public registry data lists 2 registered sex offenders in or near Salem. This is neighborhood-safety information from the public state registry.
Look up a person in Salem →