Salem, Massachusetts
Salem: The capital of Massachusetts.
About
Salem is a city located in the county of Essex in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. Its population at the 2010 census was 41,340 and a population density of 872 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 43,581 inhabitants.
The city was created 400 years ago in 1625.
Salem is a historic coastal city located in Essex County, Massachusetts. It is best known for the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692, which impacted the town's early history. Today, Salem is a vibrant tourist destination with rich maritime heritage.
Historic Sites
The Salem Witch Museum
This museum offers exhibits and reenactments of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, when 20 people were executed for witchcraft. The museum is designed to walk visitors through the trials and explore their complex history.
The House of the Seven Gables
Made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, this 350-year-old mansion allows visitors to tour the home and gardens. The house descends from the family at the center of Hawthorne's gothic novel.
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
This National Park site explores Salem's maritime history through tours of historic homes, ships, wharves and a customhouse from Salem's days as a bustling seaport.
Key Facts
- Settled in 1626 by English colonists
- Site of the Salem witch trials in 1692, a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft
- Home to the Peabody Essex Museum, which houses fine art, historic artifacts and maritime collections
- Popular Halloween destination, with many witch and ghost tours and events
With its colonial architecture, maritime history, and spooky legacy, Salem offers many engaging activities for tourists and history buffs. The witch trials left a lasting mark on this New England town.
Quick Facts about Salem
| Population | 43,581 (2020) |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | Massachusetts (United States) |
| County | Essex County |
| Postal code | 01970 |
| Area | 47.4 km2 |
| Official name | Salem |
| Latitude & Longitude | 42.5195,-70.8967 |
| Altitude | 26 feet / 8 meters |
| Capital city | Salem is capital of Essex County |
| Establishment | January 01, 1626 (400 years ago) |
| Time Zone | UTC−05:00, UTC−04:00 |
| Local time | 21:58:04 (22nd April 2026) |
| Density | 919 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth | 5.14% (2010-2020) |
| Weather | 49℉ Slight Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Rain Showers 7-days weather |
Geography
Salem is located at 42°31'10"N 70°53'48"W (42.5195400, -70.8967200).
Salem map
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Weather
A slight chance of rain before 8am, then a slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 49. South wind 5 to 9 mph. Chan...
7-Day ForecastOfficial website of Salem
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Demographics
The population of Salem increased by 5.14% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 40,407 | - | |
| 2010 | 41,340 | 2.26% | census |
| 2011 | 41,995 | 1.56% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 42,316 | 0.76% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 42,668 | 0.82% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 42,988 | 0.74% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 43,239 | 0.58% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 43,233 | -0.01% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 43,299 | 0.15% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 43,272 | -0.06% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 43,226 | -0.11% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 43,581 | 0.81% | estimation process |
Demographic Facts
| Estimated population as of July 1, 2019 : | 389,938 |
| Based on demographic estimates as of April 1, 2010 : | 382,437 |
| Based on demographic estimates as of 1 April 2010 : | 2.0% |
| April 1, 2020 Population : | 397,532 |
| April 1, 2010 Population : | 382,368 |
| People under 5 years old, percentage : | 7.0% |
| People under 18 years old, percentage : | 25.2% |
| People over 65 (%) : | 14.0% |
| Female persons, % : | 50.8% |
| White only, percent : | 74.3% |
| Black or African American alone, percent : | 10.9% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native only, % : | 1.0% |
| Asians alone % : | 5.1% |
| Only Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, % : | 0.1% |
| % of people who have participated in two or more races : | 4.4% |
| % of Hispanic or Latino : | 17.2% |
| White people, not Hispanic or Latino people, make up the majority of the population. : | 62.8% |
| 2015-2019 Veterans : | 23,198 |
| Percentage of foreign-born people, 2015-2019 : | 10.2% |
| Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : | 58.8% |
Economic Facts
| Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : | 58.8% |
| Owner-occupied housing unit median value, 2015-2019 : | $133,400 |
| From 2015 to 2019, the median selected monthly owner costs - with a mortgage : | $1,242 |
| Monthly owner costs, without a mortgage, at the median, 2015-2019 : | $470 |
| 2015-2019 median gross rent : | $809 |
| 2015-2019 Households : | 153,279 |
| Population per household, 2015-2019 : | 2.51 |
| Living in the same house a year ago, percentage of people aged one year and up, 2015-2019 : | 81.9% |
| Languages other than English spoken at home, as a percentage of people aged 5 and up, 2015-2019 : | 17.4% |
| Households with computers, %, 2015-2019 : | 88.6% |
| Percentage of households with a broadband Internet subscription, 2015-2019 : | 81.1% |
| Percentage of people aged 25 and up with a high school diploma or higher, 2015-2019 : | 88.3% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher, proportion of people aged 25 and up, 2015-2019 : | 30.1% |
| Percentage of people under the age of 65 who have a disability, 2015-2019 : | 10.1% |
| Persons under the age of 65 who do not have health insurance, as a percentage : | 13.9% |
| Total civilian labor force, percent of population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : | 66.7% |
| Female labor force participation in the civilian labor force, as a percentage of the population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : | 62.0% |
| Total sales of lodging and food services in 2012 ($1,000) : | 918,849 |
| Total receipts/revenue for health care and social assistance in 2012 ($1,000) : | 3,313,760 |
| Manufacturers' total shipments in 2012 ($1,000) : | 10,181,670 |
| 2012 total retail sales ($1,000) : | 6,284,947 |
| 2012 total retail sales per capita : | $16,300 |
| Mean commute time to work (in minutes), workers aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : | 18.6 |
| 2015-2019 median household income (in 2019 dollars) : | $52,620 |
| Income per capita in the previous 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 : | $28,806 |
| Percentage of people living in poverty : | 15.9% |
| Total number of businesses in 2012 : | 31,140 |
| Men-owned businesses in 2012 : | 16,025 |
| Women-owned businesses in 2012 : | 10,507 |
| Minority-owned businesses in 2012 : | 5,635 |
| Non-minority-owned businesses in 2012 : | 23,907 |
| Veteran-owned businesses in 2012 : | 2,693 |
| Nonveteran-owned businesses in 2012 : | 26,061 |
| 2010 population per square mile : | 2,400.4 |
| 2010 land area in square miles : | 159.29 |
Best Things to Do in Salem
1Salem Witch Museum
19 1/2 N Washington Square, Salem, MA 01970, United States View details
Phone: +19787441692 | Website available
2Salem Willows Park
165 Fort Ave, Salem, MA 01970, United States View details
Phone: +19787450251 | Website available
3The Witch House at Salem
310 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, United States View details
Phone: +19787448815 | Website available
4Salem Witch Trials Memorial
24 Liberty St, Salem, MA 01970, United States View details
Website available
5Salem Maritime National Historic Site
Salem Maritime National Historic Site, 160 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970, United States View details
Phone: +19787401650 | Website available
Where to Stay in Salem
1Clipper Ship Inn
40 Bridge St, Salem, MA 01970, United States View details
Phone: +19787458022 | Website available
2Northey Street House
30 Northey St, Salem, MA 01970, United States View details
Phone: +19783971582 | Website available
Services and Civic Places in Salem
1Salem City Hall
93 Washington St, Salem, MA 01970 View details
Phone: +19787459595 | Website available
2Salem City Hall Annex
98 Washington St, Salem, MA 01970 View details
Phone: +19787459595 | Website available
People born in Salem (200)
People born in Salem, including novelist and short story writer Nathaniel Hawthorne, sculptor from the United States John Rogers, ice hockey player Cory Schneider, .
More notable people
- Norman D. Vaughan (American writer and musher) he was born in 19/12/1905
- Kyle Cooper (American graphic designer) he was born in 13/07/1962
- William Crowninshield Endicott (American politician and judge (1826-1900)) he was born in 19/11/1826
- Samuel McIntire (American architect) he was born in 16/01/1757
- George Cabot (American Senator (1752-1823)) he was born in 03/12/1752
- Timothy Pickering (American statesman (1745-1829)) he was born in 17/07/1745
- Benjamin Peirce (American mathematician) he was born in 04/04/1809
- William Hickling Prescott (American Historian and Hispanist) he was born in 04/05/1796
- Harriet Low (American writer) she was born in 18/05/1809
- Patricia S. Goldman-Rakic (American neuroscientist) she was born in 22/04/1937
- Mary Curtis Verna (singer) she was born in 09/05/1921
- Andy Buckley (American actor) he was born in 13/02/1965
- Richard Joseph Malone (Catholic bishop) he was born in 19/03/1946
- Arthur Bowler (American author) he was born in 05/09/1950
- Arthur Foote (American composer) he was born in 05/03/1853
- Gardner Dozois (American science fiction editor) he was born in 23/07/1947
- Stephen Palfrey Webb (American politician (1804-1879)) he was born in 20/03/1804
- Benjamin Goodhue (American politician (1748-1814)) he was born in 20/09/1748
Nearby Schools and Colleges
Schools and campuses linked to Salem, MA. Select a name to open its map and contact details.
| Code | Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 167729 | Salem State University | Salem (MA) | 01970 |
Nearby Transit Stations (21)
Rail and bus stations connected to Salem, MA. Select a station to open its map and address details.
| Code | Name | Address | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WOB | Anderson Regional Transportation Center | 100 Atlantic Ave. | RAIL |
| BON | North Station | 100 Legends Way | RAIL |
| BOS | South Station | 2 South Station | RAIL |
| BBY | Back Bay station | 145 Dartmouth St. | RAIL |
| HHL | Haverhill station | Washington Street at Railroad Square | RAIL |
Closest post offices linked to Salem.
| Post Office Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Salem Post Office | Salem (MA) | 01970 |
Other places with the same name (24)
- Salem, Oregon The capital of Oregon. with a population of 175,891 people.
- Salem, New Hampshire town in New Hampshire, United States with a population of 30,641 people.
- Salem, Virginia City in Page County, Virginia, United States with a population of 25,340 people.
- Salem, Utah city in Utah County, Utah, United States with a population of 8,866 people.
- Salem, Illinois city in Illinois with a population of 6,952 people.
- Salem, Michigan township in Washtenaw County, Michigan with a population of 6,464 people.
- Salem, Pennsylvania township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania with a population of 6,367 people.
- Salem, Indiana city in Washington Township, Washington County, Indiana, United States with a population of 6,236 people.
- Salem, Indiana city in Washington Township, Washington County, Indiana, United States with a population of 6,217 people.
- Salem, Missouri city in Missouri, United States with a population of 4,874 people.
- Salem, New Jersey city in Salem County, New Jersey, USA with a population of 4,713 people.
- Salem, Connecticut town in New London County, Connecticut, United States with a population of 4,083 people.
- Salem, New York city in Washington Township, Washington County, Indiana, United States with a population of 2,607 people.
- Salem, North Carolina township in Burke County, North Carolina with a population of 2,218 people.
- Salem, Arkansas city in Arkansas, United States with a population of 1,655 people.
- Salem, West Virginia city in West Virginia with a population of 1,511 people.
- Salem, Ohio city in Ohio with a population of 956 people.
- Salem, Kentucky city in Kentucky, United States with a population of 717 people.
- Salem, Wisconsin civil town in Kenosha County, Wisconsin with a population of 529 people.
- Salem, Iowa city in Iowa, United States with a population of 380 people.
- Salem, Kansas city (possibly historical) with a population of 305 people.
- Salem, South Carolina town in South Carolina, United States with a population of 153 people.
- Salem, South Dakota city in South Dakota, United States of America with a population of 153 people.
- Salem, Nebraska village in Nebraska, United States with a population of 103 people.
Other cities in Essex County
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Essex County , MA. (more)
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Lynn | 94,539 | The third most populous city in Essex County, Massachusetts. |
| Lawrence | 80,007 | The third most populous city in Massachusetts. |
| Haverhill | 64,098 | The most populous city in Essex County, Massachusetts. |
| Peabody | 53,063 | A city in Essex County, Massachusetts. |
| Methuen | 50,910 | The most populous city in Essex County, Massachusetts. |
| South Peabody | 50,293 | A census-designated place in Essex County, Massachusetts. |
| Beverly | 42,242 | A city in Essex County, Massachusetts. |
| Beverly Cove | 40,365 | A census-designated place in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. |
| Andover | 36,554 | Town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States |
| North Andover | 31,460 | Town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States |
| Gloucester | 30,539 | City on Cape Ann in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States |
| Saugus | 28,542 | Town in Massachusetts |
| Danvers | 27,571 | Town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States |
| Marblehead | 20,551 | Town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States |
| Newburyport | 18,495 | City in Massachusetts |
| Amesbury | 17,537 | City in Massachusetts |
Distance to Other Cities
Salem distances to largest Massachusetts cities