Salem, Massachusetts

Salem: The capital of Massachusetts. It is located on the North River in the northeastern part of the state. Salem is known for its many parks and green spaces, its many historical sites, and its many attractions, such as the Salem Witch Museum and the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

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 398 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.

Salem locator map
Location of Salem on Massachusetts map.

Quick Facts about Salem

Population : 43,581 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Massachusetts (United States)
County : Essex County
Head of government : mayor
Postal code : 01970
Area : 47.4 km2
Official name : Salem
Altitude : 26 feet / 8 meters
Capital city : Salem is capital of Essex County
Establishment : January 01, 1626 (398 years ago)
Time Zone : UTC−05:00, UTC−04:00
Local time : 07:47:45 (29th March 2024)
Density : 919 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 5.14% (2010-2020)
Salem Witch House II image
Salem Witch House II
Salem Witch House II image

Geography

Salem is located at 42°31'10"N 70°53'48"W (42.5195400, -70.8967200).

Salem map

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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%

Salem zip code is 01970. County name: Essex, County fips: 25009

Naamkeek, Naumkeag, Nehumkeke, Salem, Salem (Massachusetts), Sejlem, Sejlum, sai lei mu, seilleom, seiramu, selama, sylm masachwst, Салем, Сейлем, Сейлъм, Сејлем, سیلم، ماساچوست, सेलम, セイラム, 塞勒姆, 세일럼

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

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, .

List

Schools in Salem

College & universities near Salem, MA

Code Name City ZIP
167729 Salem State University Salem (MA) 01970

Stations (21)

Amtrak & bus stations near Salem, MA

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

Post offices near Salem

Post Office Name City ZIP
Salem Post Office Salem (MA) 01970

Other places with the same name (25)

  • Salem , Oregon The capital of Oregon. It is located on the Willamette River in northwestern Oregon. Salem is known for its many historic buildings, its many parks and green spaces, and its many attractions, such as the Oregon State Capitol and the Oregon Historical Society Museum. 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 Dakota city in South Dakota, United States of America with a population of 153 people.
  • Salem , South Carolina town in South Carolina, United States 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