Salem is the capital and second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. According to the Wikipedia page for Salem, Oregon, the city had an estimated population of 175,535 as of 2020, making it the second-most populous city in Oregon after Portland. Salem is located in northwest Oregon, about 47 miles south of Portland.
Population and Demographics
The population of Salem was 169,798 as of the 2020 census. This makes Salem the 151st largest city in the United States. Salem saw steady population growth of over 20% between 2000 and 2020. It continues to grow above the national average, with a population increase of 1.5% between 2019 and 2020.
Salem has become increasingly diverse over the past two decades. As of the 2020 census, Salem’s population was about 70% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 1.7% Native American, 4.7% Asian, 0.7% Pacific Islander, 16.7% from other races, and 4.6% from two or more races. About 24.4% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
History
Salem was founded in 1842, when Methodist missionaries settled the area. They built and incorporated the Oregon Institute, which would later become Willamette University. Salem was chosen as the capital of the Oregon Territory in 1851, and it became the state capital in 1859 when Oregon achieved statehood. Salem originally served as a trading center and was incorporated as a city in 1857.
For most of its history, Salem’s economy was based on agriculture and shipping until the 1990s, when job growth shifted to the state government, health care, and manufacturing industries. Salem has preserved numerous historic buildings, homes, and sites from its pioneer era along with many community parks and gardens throughout the city.
Economy and Major Employers
Today, Salem has a diverse economy with major industries including government, healthcare, manufacturing, education, retail, and technology. Some of the top employers in Salem include:
- State of Oregon (17,000+ employees)
- Salem Health Hospitals & Clinics (5,100+ employees)
- Salem-Keizer School District (4,700+ employees)
- Amazon (1,500+ employees)
- Marion County Government (1,100+ employees)
Other major companies with a presence in Salem include NORPAC Foods, Inc., Wilco Farmers, Henningsen Cold Storage Co., and Kettle Foods. The largest industries in Salem are healthcare, retail trade, and manufacturing.
The median household income in Salem is $51,868, which is slightly below the national median. However, Salem’s cost of living is about 7% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is around 5.1% as of June 2022 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Places to Visit
Some of the top attractions and things to do in Salem include:
- Oregon State Capitol – the heart of Salem’s downtown area with public tours available
- Riverfront Park – a 23-acre riverfront park along the Willamette River with walking trails and events
- Salem Riverfront Carousel – a hand-carved and hand-painted carousel in Riverfront Park
- A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village – interactive children’s science museum
- Bush’s Pasture Park – 90-acre city park with trails, sports facilities, rose garden, and bush house museum
- Deepwood Estate – historic house museum built in 1894 with formal gardens
- Willamette University – oldest university in the western U.S. established in 1842 with historic buildings
Outdoor activities like hiking and biking are also popular with trails at places like Minto-Brown Island Park. The City of Salem’s Facebook page often posts about community events happening around town.
Sports
Salem is home to the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the San Francisco Giants. They play at Volcanoes Stadium. Additional sports teams and facilities include:
- Salem Senators – amateur baseball team
- Western Oregon University – competes in NCAA Division II sports
- Corban University – competes in NAIA sports
- Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) State Championships
The Salem Armory Auditorium has hosted basketball and volleyball state tournaments, trade shows, conventions, concerts, and other major events since 1949.
Tourism
Tourism is a significant part of Salem’s economy. Popular events that attract visitors include the Salem Art Fair & Festival each July, the Salem World Beat Festival in June, and the Oregon State Fair in August.
The Travel Salem website provides additional tourism and travel information for those looking to visit Salem, Oregon.