Salem, OR Metro Area

Salem, OR · Metro Area

438,906Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 2 counties, part of the Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $78,900
Median home value: $424,100
Land area: 1,923 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Marion County, OR	Central	349,244	$77,351	$416,400
Polk County, OR	Central	89,662	$85,118	$454,700

Largest cities and towns

32 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Salem, OR	City	178,865	$75,487
Keizer, OR	City	39,082	$84,813
Woodburn, OR	City	27,875	$67,347
Hayesville, OR	CDP	21,246	$58,624
Dallas, OR	City	17,531	$71,549
Four Corners, OR	CDP	16,275	$69,669
Monmouth, OR	City	11,428	$69,170
Silverton, OR	City	10,456	$79,960
Independence, OR	City	10,199	$85,375
Stayton, OR	City	8,292	$78,268
Aumsville, OR	City	4,230	$90,987
Hubbard, OR	City	3,406	$101,771
Mount Angel, OR	City	3,393	$62,232
Jefferson, OR	City	3,301	$102,159
Sublimity, OR	City	2,919	$77,969
Turner, OR	City	2,792	$101,979
Gervais, OR	City	2,581	$83,043
Falls City, OR	City	1,222	$51,250
Donald, OR	City	1,133	$80,729
Aurora, OR	City	1,030	$107,500
Brooks, OR	CDP	664	$86,667
St. Paul, OR	City	469	$138,409
Gates, OR	City	452	$65,670
Mehama, OR	CDP	425	—
Scotts Mills, OR	City	337	$66,806

Also in the Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA combined area

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA · metro · 2,520,987 Albany, OR · metro · 130,706 Longview-Kelso, WA · metro · 112,360 Corvallis, OR · metro · 96,303

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

13%

Unemployment

5.4%

College Educated

27.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$78,900

Mean Household Income

$101,988

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

50.0%

Female

50.0%

Population Split

Male50.0%

Female50.0%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

Mexican22.9%

German16.5%

English12.4%

Irish8.9%

Italian2.7%

Scottish2.7%

French2.3%

Polish1.4%

African0.4%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

12.2%Foreign Born

87.8%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized39.0%

Non-Citizen61.0%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later24.6%

Before 201075.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

167,162

Median Rent

$1,399/mo

Median Home Value

$424,100

Median Year Built

1981

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

100,479

College Enrollment

18.6%

High School

23.9%

College Educated

27.1%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

24.3 min

Drive Alone Rate

69.4%

Public Transit

1.1%

Work From Home

13.6%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

23.1%

18-34 Years

23.6%

35-64 Years

36.1%

65+ Years

17.2%

Population Composition

Under 1823.1%

18-3423.6%

35-6436.1%

65+17.2%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

48.6%

Single Parent

6.3%

Living Alone

25.7%

Avg Size

2.66

Household Types

Married Couples48.6%

Single Parent6.3%

Living Alone25.7%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$37,986

SNAP Usage

19.7%

Health Insurance

92.2%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k13.6%

$25k - $50k16.6%

$50k - $100k31.0%

$100k+38.8%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

9.3%

Retail Trade

11.6%

Education & Health Care

23.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

16.0%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

92.2%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

91.5%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.1%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

103.7

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

88.6

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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