Salem, OR Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	109,605	111,430	61.3%	63.5%
Hispanic	45,440	41,302	25.4%	23.5%
Multiracial	10,005	9,638	5.6%	5.5%
Asian	6,377	5,446	3.6%	3.1%
Native American/Other	4,657	4,907	2.6%	2.8%
Black	2,781	2,812	1.6%	1.6%

Salem, Oregon has an estimated population of 178,865, a slight increase from the 175,535 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 61.3% White, 25.4% Hispanic, 5.6% Multiracial, 3.6% Asian, 2.6% Native American/Other, and 1.6% Black. 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 considerably more diverse than Oregon 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 53.7% in 2020 and 55.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salem is ranked the 3rd most populous place in Oregon, out of 426 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 3rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salem's White Population

109,605 residents of Salem, or 61.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salem is considerably lower than in Oregon overall, where 71.4% of the population is White. Salem ranks 375th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 426 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's White population has declined by an estimated 1.6%. White residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 63.5% to 61.3%.

Salem is more White than neighboring Four Corners (52.2% White), Hayesville (43.5% White), and Eola (0% White). Salem is less White than neighboring Keizer (68% White), and Turner (83.7% White).

Salem's Black Population

2,781 residents of Salem, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Oregon overall, where 1.8% of the population is Black. Salem ranks 27th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 426 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Black population has declined by an estimated 1.1%. Black residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Salem is more Black than neighboring Four Corners (0.2% Black), Hayesville (1.5% Black), Keizer (0.9% Black), Eola (0% Black), and Turner (0.1% Black).

Salem's Asian Population

6,377 residents of Salem, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Oregon overall, where 4.4% of the population is Asian. Salem ranks 43rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 426 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Asian population has grown by an estimated 17.1%. Asian residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 3.1% to 3.6%.

Salem is more Asian than neighboring Four Corners (0.9% Asian), Hayesville (1.6% Asian), Keizer (1.1% Asian), Eola (0% Asian), and Turner (2.3% Asian).

Salem's Hispanic Population

45,440 residents of Salem, or 25.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salem is considerably higher than in Oregon overall, where 14.7% of the population is Hispanic. Salem ranks 40th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 426 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 10.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 23.5% to 25.4%.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Keizer (23.3% Hispanic), Eola (0% Hispanic), and Turner (9.8% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Four Corners (42% Hispanic), and Hayesville (46.2% Hispanic).

Salem's Native American/Other Population

4,657 residents of Salem, or 2.6% 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 Oregon overall, where 1.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Salem ranks 82nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 426 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 5.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.6%.

Salem is more Native American/Other than neighboring Keizer (1.6% Native American/Other), Eola (0% Native American/Other), and Turner (0.5% Native American/Other). Salem is less Native American/Other than neighboring Four Corners (3.1% Native American/Other), and Hayesville (4.5% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

10,005 residents of Salem, or 5.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Oregon overall, where 6.1% of the population is Multiracial. Salem ranks 255th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 426 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 3.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.6%.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Four Corners (1.7% Multiracial), Hayesville (2.8% Multiracial), Keizer (5.1% Multiracial), Eola (0% Multiracial), and Turner (3.5% 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.