Salem, MA Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	29,764	30,477	66.4%	68.5%
Hispanic	9,292	8,785	20.7%	19.8%
Black	2,050	1,828	4.6%	4.1%
Multiracial	1,668	1,737	3.7%	3.9%
Asian	1,502	1,255	3.4%	2.8%
Native American/Other	519	398	1.2%	0.9%

Salem, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 44,795, a less than 1% change from the 44,480 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 66.4% White, 20.7% Hispanic, 4.6% Black, 3.7% Multiracial, 3.4% Asian, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Salem, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Salem has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Massachusetts overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Salem, that probability was 48.7% in 2020 and 51.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salem is ranked the 30th most populous place in Massachusetts, out of 248 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Salem was ranked the 30th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salem's White Population

29,764 residents of Salem, or 66.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Salem ranks 212th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's White population has declined by an estimated 2.3%. White residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 68.5% to 66.4%.

Salem is more White than neighboring Lynn (32.7% White). Salem is less White than neighboring Marblehead (93% White), Beverly (84.3% White), Swampscott (84.1% White), and Danvers (87.4% White).

Salem's Black Population

2,050 residents of Salem, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Salem ranks 53rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Black population has grown by an estimated 12.1%. Black residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 4.1% to 4.6%.

Salem is more Black than neighboring Marblehead (0.6% Black), Beverly (2.8% Black), Swampscott (3.3% Black), and Danvers (1.8% Black). Salem is less Black than neighboring Lynn (10% Black).

Salem's Asian Population

1,502 residents of Salem, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Salem is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Salem ranks 82nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Asian population has grown by an estimated 19.7%. Asian residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 2.8% to 3.4%.

Salem is more Asian than neighboring Marblehead (1.4% Asian), Beverly (1.7% Asian), Swampscott (1.1% Asian), and Danvers (1.8% Asian). Salem is less Asian than neighboring Lynn (6.2% Asian).

Salem's Hispanic Population

9,292 residents of Salem, or 20.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salem is higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Salem ranks 18th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 5.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 19.8% to 20.7%.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Marblehead (2% Hispanic), Beverly (6.1% Hispanic), Swampscott (8.9% Hispanic), and Danvers (5.5% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Lynn (45.9% Hispanic).

Salem's Native American/Other Population

519 residents of Salem, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Salem ranks 114th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 30.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Salem is more Native American/Other than neighboring Marblehead (0.7% Native American/Other), Beverly (0.6% Native American/Other), Swampscott (0.4% Native American/Other), and Danvers (1% Native American/Other). Salem is less Native American/Other than neighboring Lynn (1.4% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

1,668 residents of Salem, or 3.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Salem ranks 136th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 4.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.7%.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Marblehead (2.2% Multiracial), Swampscott (2.2% Multiracial), and Danvers (2.5% Multiracial). Salem is less Multiracial than neighboring Beverly (4.5% Multiracial), and Lynn (3.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.