Salinas, CA Demographics

A map of Salinas's Population by Race

Salinas, California has an estimated population of 161,761, a slight decrease from the 163,542 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 80.9% Hispanic, 11.0% White, 5.4% Asian, 1.3% Multiracial, 1.0% Black, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Salinas, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Salinas has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Salinas, that probability was 35.0% in 2020 and 33.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salinas is ranked the 33rd most populous place in California, out of 1,618 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). Salinas was ranked the 33rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salinas's White Population

17,821 residents of Salinas, or 11.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salinas is significantly lower than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Salinas ranks 1418th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salinas's White population has declined by an estimated 2.9%. White residents' share of Salinas's population has remained roughly unchanged at 11.0%.

Salinas is more White than neighboring Castroville (2.8% White). Salinas is less White than neighboring Boronda (11.8% White), Spreckels (86.2% White), Prunedale (36.3% White), and Elkhorn (50.6% White).

Salinas's Black Population

1,696 residents of Salinas, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salinas is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Salinas ranks 651st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salinas's Black population has declined by an estimated 12.0%. Black residents' share of Salinas's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Salinas is more Black than neighboring Boronda (0% Black), Spreckels (0% Black), and Elkhorn (0% Black). Salinas is less Black than neighboring Prunedale (1.4% Black), and Castroville (1.1% Black).

Salinas's Asian Population

8,669 residents of Salinas, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Salinas is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Salinas ranks 453rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salinas's Asian population has declined by an estimated 2.3%. Asian residents' share of Salinas's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.4%.

Salinas is more Asian than neighboring Spreckels (0% Asian), Prunedale (4.7% Asian), Castroville (1.1% Asian), and Elkhorn (1.9% Asian). Salinas is less Asian than neighboring Boronda (11.3% Asian).

Salinas's Hispanic Population

130,828 residents of Salinas, or 80.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salinas is significantly higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Salinas ranks 157th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salinas's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Salinas's population has increased from 79.6% to 80.9%.

Salinas is more Hispanic than neighboring Boronda (75.5% Hispanic), Spreckels (13.8% Hispanic), Prunedale (50% Hispanic), and Elkhorn (36.7% Hispanic). Salinas is less Hispanic than neighboring Castroville (91.3% Hispanic).

Salinas's Native American/Other Population

586 residents of Salinas, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Salinas is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Salinas ranks 1149th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salinas's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 58.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Salinas's population has decreased from 0.9% to 0.4%.

Salinas is more Native American/Other than neighboring Boronda (0% Native American/Other), Spreckels (0% Native American/Other), and Elkhorn (0% Native American/Other). Salinas is less Native American/Other than neighboring Prunedale (1.2% Native American/Other).

Salinas's Multiracial Population

2,161 residents of Salinas, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salinas is slightly lower than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Salinas ranks 1369th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salinas's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 22.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Salinas's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Salinas is more Multiracial than neighboring Spreckels (0% Multiracial). Salinas is less Multiracial than neighboring Boronda (1.4% Multiracial), Prunedale (6.5% Multiracial), Castroville (3.3% Multiracial), and Elkhorn (10.9% 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.