The Native Americans who inhabited the central Willamette Valley at first European contact, theKalapuya, called the area Chim-i-ki-ti, which is thought to mean "meeting or resting place" in theCentral Kalapuya language (Santiam). When theMethodist Mission moved to the area, they called the new establishment Chemeketa; although it was more widely known as the Mill, because of its situation onMill Creek.[13] When theOregon Institute was established, the community became known as the institute.[13]
When the institute was dissolved, the trustees decided to lay out a town site on the Institute lands.[13] Some possible sources for the name "Salem" includeWilliam H. Willson, who in 1850 and 1851 filed the plans for the main part of the city, and suggested adopting an Anglicized version of theBiblical Hebrew word "שָׁלוֹם, Shalom", meaning "peace" (used also as a greeting).[13][14] The ReverendDavid Leslie, President of the town's Trustees, also wanted a Biblical name, and suggested using the last five letters of "Jerusalem".[14] Or, the town may be named afterSalem, Massachusetts, where Leslie was educated. There were many names suggested, and even after the change to Salem, some people, such asAsahel Bush (editor of theOregon Statesman), believed the name should be changed back to Chemeketa.[15] TheVern Miller Civic Center, which houses the city offices and library, has a public space dedicated as thePeace Plaza in recognition of the names by which the city has been known.[15]
The first people of European descent arrived in the area as early as 1812; they were animal trappers and food gatherers for the fur trading companies inAstoria, Oregon.
The first permanent American settlement in the area was theJason Lee Methodist mission (1840) located in the area north of Salem known asWheatland.[16] In 1842, the missionaries established theOregon Institute (the forerunner ofWillamette University) in the area that was to become the site of Salem. In 1844, the mission was dissolved and the town site established.
In 1851, Salem became the territorial capital after it was moved fromOregon City. The capital was moved briefly toCorvallis in 1855, but was moved back to Salem permanently that same year. Salem incorporated as a city in 1857, and with the coming of statehood in 1859, it became the state capital.
Oregon has had three capitol buildings in Salem. A two-story state house, which had been occupied for only two months, burned to the ground in December 1855. Oregon's second capitol building was completed in 1876 on the site of the original. TheGreek Revival-style building was based in part on theU.S. Capitol building. The building received its distinctive copper dome in 1893. On April 25, 1935, this building was also destroyed by fire. The third and currentOregon State Capitol was completed on the same site in 1938. It faces north instead of west like its predecessor, and is recognizable by its distinctive pioneer statue atop the capitol dome that is plated with gold-leaf and officially named theOregon Pioneer.
Agriculture has always been important to Salem, and the city has historically recognized and celebrated it in a number of ways. In 1861, Salem was chosen as the permanent site of theOregon State Fair by the Oregon State Agricultural Association.[17] Salem is nicknamed the "Cherry City", because of the past importance of the localcherry-growing industry.[18] The first cherry festival in Salem was held in 1903 and was an annual event, with parades and the election of a cherry queen, until sometime after World War I. The event was briefly revived as the Salem Cherryland Festival for several years in the late 1940s.[19]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 49.495 square miles (128.19 km2), of which 48.944 square miles (126.76 km2) is land and 0.551 square miles (1.43 km2) (1.11%) is water.[20]
Although theWillamette River flows through Salem, theNorth Santiam Riverwatershed is Salem's primary drinking water source. Other important streams that pass through Salem areMill Creek, the Mill Race,Pringle Creek, andShelton Ditch.[21] Smaller streams in the southern and southeastern parts of the city include Clark Creek, Jory Creek, Battle Creek, Croisan Creek, and Claggett Creek, while Glen Creek and Brush Creek flow throughWest Salem.[21]
Elevation within the city limits ranges from about 120 to 800 feet (37 to 244 m). Salem contains the volcanicSalem Hills in the south and is sandwiched by the 1,000 ft (300 m) Eola Hills directly to the west and the 600 ft (180 m)Waldo Hills to the east. Northern and eastern Salem are less hilly. South and West Salem contain some canyons and are the hilliest areas. Thecoast range and theCascades—includingMount Hood,Mount Jefferson, and on the clearest of days,Mount St. Helens andMount Adams in Washington—can be viewed from throughout the city.
Climate chart for Salem
Like most of the Willamette Valley area, Salem has amediterranean climate (KöppenCsb). Rain is heaviest in late fall and throughout winter, and almost all of the annual precipitation falls between October and April, with a dry season from May through September. Light snowfall occurs in winter, but major snows are rare. Mostly cloudy skies and low cloud ceilings are commonplace during the rainy season.
Salem's mean annual temperature is 54.1 °F (12.3 °C);[22] its annual precipitation is 40.08 inches (1,018 mm), with an average 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) of snow included. However, over a quarter of years receive no snowfall.[22] The state capital is about 47 mi (76 km) south ofPortland, but actually has a lower average temperature than that of Portland (54.4 °F or 12.4 °C),[22] due in part to the lower daily minima.
All-time extremes in Salem range from 117 to −12 °F (47 to −24 °C).[22] The coldest afternoon of the year usually falls to 32 °F (0 °C) on the freezing point, whereas the coldest recorded maximum temperature was 16 °F (−9 °C) in three separate months and years.[22] The warmest night on record was 74 °F (23 °C) in July 2006 and the warmest annual night averages 64 °F (18 °C).[22]
Climate data for Salem, Oregon (McNary Field), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
According to realtor websiteZillow, the average price of a home as of July 31, 2025, in Salem is $437,062.[27]
As of the 2023American Community Survey, there are 68,817 estimated households in Salem with an average of 2.46 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $72,827. Approximately 14.6% of the city's population lives at or below thepoverty line. Salem has an estimated 63.6% employment rate, with 31.5% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 88.0% holding a high school diploma.[28]
The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (76.7%), Spanish (18.5%), Indo-European (1.6%), Asian and Pacific Islander (3.0%), and Other (0.2%).
The median age in the city was 36.4 years.
Salem, Oregon – racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the2020 census, there were 175,535 people, 64,289 households, and 41,287 families residing in the city.[33] Thepopulation density was 3,596.81 inhabitants per square mile (1,388.7/km2). There were 72,154 housing units at an average density of 1,478.47 per square mile (570.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 69.08%White, 1.74%African American, 1.67%Native American, 3.19%Asian, 1.35%Pacific Islander, 10.90% from some other races and 12.07% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 23.53% of the population.[34]
There were 64,289 households, of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, and 6.2% were under 5. People over 65 made up 14.6% of the population. The gender make up was 49% female and 51% male.
The median household income was $62,185, and the per capita income was $31,610. 14.7% of the population were under thepoverty line.
As of the2010 census, there were 154,637 people, 57,290 households, and 36,261 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,228.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,246.5/km2). There were 61,276 housing units at an average density of 1,279.2 per square mile (493.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 79.03%White, 1.48%African American, 1.48%Native American, 2.73%Asian, 0.94%Pacific Islander, 10.05% from some other races and 4.29% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 20.28% of the population.
There were 57,290 households, of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.7% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.15.
The median age in the city was 34.5 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.5% were from 45 to 64; and 12% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.
As of the2000 census, there were 136,924 people, 50,676 households, and 32,331 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,994.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,156.0/km2). There were 53,817 housing units at an average density of 1,176.8 per square mile (454.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.07%White, 1.28%African American, 1.51%Native American, 2.41%Asian, 0.47%Pacific Islander, 7.90% from some other races and 3.36% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 14.59% of the population.
There were 50,676 households, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% weremarried couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,881, and the median income for a family was $46,409. Males had a median income of $34,746 versus $26,789 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $19,141. About 10.5% of families and 15.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
The covered courtyard which is part of theVern W. Miller Civic Center, which is a complex of buildings, including a branch of the public library, a fire station, city hall, and the police department (until 2020.)
Salem is governed using thecouncil–manager government model.[35] The city council consists of eight members who are elected from single member wards. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote.
The current mayor is Julie Hoy, who took office in 2025.[36]
State government is Salem's largest employer, but the city also serves as a hub for the area farming communities and is a major agricultural food processing center.[38] It lies along theI-5 corridor and is within an hour's drive of Oregon's largest city, Portland.
Salem is the home ofKettle Foods, Inc., a maker of potato chips since 1982. Kettle employs 700 in Salem and at a plant inBowthorpe, England. NORPAC Foods, Inc., is a large food processor in Salem and elsewhere in Marion County. Its brands include Flav-R-Pac and West-Pac frozen fruits and vegetables, andSantiam canned vegetables. Oregon Fruit Products, Inc., has been canningblackberries,marionberries and other fruits in Salem since 1935, withOregon as its brand name.
In a bid to diversify its economic base, Salem attracted a number of computer-related manufacturing plants in the 1990s. In November 2003, the Sumitomo Mitsubishi Silicon Group (SUMCO), one of these arrivals, announced it would be closing its twosiliconwafer plants at the end of 2004, eliminating 620 jobs, and moving production to other plants.[39]
Numerous projects are underway to increase the supply ofhousing in the downtown core. These projects will provide upscale, low- and high-risecondominium and office space.
The nonprofit groupSalem Community Markets (SCM) operates several farmers' markets in Salem. The largest and most well-known of these is the Salem Saturday Market, which is located north of the Capitol, runs from May to October, and focuses on local products, including art, baked goods, produce, live plants, meat, and other items.[42] Other SCM-run markets include a Monday Market (hosted from May to September at theSalem Hospital), a Wednesday Farmers' Market hosted on campus at Chemeketa Community College, a Thursday Market in West Salem,[43] and a Holiday Gift Market in December. There is also an indoor Saturday Public Market which is open all year.[42]
The annual World Beat Festival, held in June, is sponsored by the nonprofit Salem Multicultural Institute.[44] The event lasts for two days and is held at theRiverfront Park. It features international crafts, music, dance, food, and folklore from every continent, and in recent years has held aDragon Boat race similar to the ones held during the nearbyRose Festival inPortland.[45]
The Salem Art Association sponsors the annual Salem Art Fair and Festival, which takes place atBush's Pasture Park during the summer.[46] Its displays, interactive exhibits, food, and performances attract thousands of visitors each year.[47]
The Bite of Salem, held in July at the Riverfront Park, is an event similar to others such as the Bite of Oregon in Portland. The event consists of a weekend of local restaurants in Salem offering samples of their menus to patrons in a festival atmosphere, with live entertainment and benefiting local charities. In the summer,Chef's Nite Out is a wine and food benefit held for Marion-Polk Food Share.[48] Oregon Wine & Food Festival takes place at that state's fairgrounds in January.
The largest event in Salem is the Oregon State Fair at the end of August through Labor Day. Located in the Oregon State Fairgrounds in North Salem, the fair offers exhibits, competitions and carnival rides. Other events such as concerts, horse shows and rodeos take place at the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center throughout the year.[49]
The Mid-Valley Video Festival offers local, national and international independent films in theaters throughout the city.[50]
The Salem Repertory Theatre presents shows at theReed Opera House.[52] The Pentacle Theatre, which features plays and musicals, is located in West Salem.[53] TheElsinore Theatre is a historic landmark featuring recitals, concerts, films, and plays. It has the largest working pipe organ on the west coast, a remnant of its days as a showcase for silent films, in the early days of cinema.Grand Theater is newly renovated and is the home of Enlightened Theatrics, a professional theatre company and hosts the Salem Progressive Film Series on the third Tuesday nine months of the year.
The two leading candidates for the tallest building in Salem areSalem First United Methodist Church and theCapitol Center.[56] A private survey commissioned by a local publication holds that the church is the tallest.[57] The tall white spire of the 1878 church rises at the intersection of Church and State Streets across from the Capitol grounds. The Capitol Center (originally the First National Bank Building, then the Livesley Building) was built in 1927 by former Salem mayorThomas A. Livesley, a prominent Salem-area businessman and civic leader. At that time of its completion, it was the tallest commercial building in the state.[56]
In 1988, Livesley's family home was purchased through private donations and was donated to the state. It now serves as the official residence of the Governor and family. Now known asMahonia Hall, it was placed on theNational Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1990.
TheOregon Symphony, based in Portland, presents approximately ten classical and pops concerts each year in Salem. TheSalem Chamber Orchestra includes professional area musicians as well as students.[58] TheSalem Armory Auditorium has hosted touring bands including Korn and Phish.
TheSalem Concert Band is a community band made up of professional and amateur musicians that performs several classical and pops concerts annually.[59]
Because Salem is the state capital, it has a multitude of government agencies, departments, and boards housed in buildings with architectural designs ranging from the early 20th century to examples of state-of-the-art civil building design.
The historicReed Opera House in downtown Salem has a number of local shops and dining establishments, as well as an art gallery.
Salem has been awarded "Tree City USA" status by theNational Arbor Day Foundation for 30 consecutive years for its dedication tourban forestry.[60] Salem was the first city in Oregon to receive the award.[61] In keeping with the city's "Cherry City" theme, flowering cherry trees have been planted along many Salem streets as well as on the Capitol Mall across from the Capitol.
TheSalem Public Library's main branch is located just south of downtown. A branch library is located in West Salem (Polk County). The Library participates in the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service, so Salem Public Library cards are also valid in the member libraries inYamhill,Polk,Marion, and parts ofLinn County. In addition to the Salem Public Library, the Mark O. Hatfield Library at Willamette University is open to the public as well, although the hours are limited.
Salem has one daily newspaper, theGannett-ownedStatesman Journal. TheCapital Press, a weekly agricultural newspaper, is published in the city and is distributed throughout theWest Coast. The monthlySalem Business Journal covers business and government.[63]Salem Magazine, published quarterly, both in physical and digital (online) issues, focuses upon its people; its unique culture; and its downtown and surrounding neighborhood communities.[64]
As of 2012,seven radio stations broadcast from Salem, including three commercial AM stations, three non-commercial FM stations, and a community radio station.KBZY was a popularTop 40 station from its sign-on in 1957 through the 1960s and 1970s. Today, KBZY has anoldies format; it continues to use live and local personalities. KBZY is affiliated with theABC Radio Network.KYKN carries syndicated conservative talk hosts.KZGD is a Spanish languagesports talk station.KSLM features conservative talk programming.KAIS is a non-commercial station licensed toEducational Media Foundation with aContemporary Christian format.KMUZ, established in 2012, is a non-commercialcommunity radio station carrying locally produced content in a variety format.
Salem is part of the PortlandArbitron survey area for radio stations, and most of the Portland stations can be received in Salem, including powerful AM stationsnews/talkKEX,CBS Sports Radio affiliateKXTG, andFox Sports Radio affiliateKPOJ. Stations to the south in Corvallis and Albany are also easily heard in Salem.
Salem's Public Works Department, Parks Operations Division, is responsible for a park system encompassing 2,338 acres (946 ha) with 29.53 miles (47.52 km) of trails, 46 parks, and another 55 open and undeveloped areas.[65]
Bush's Pasture Park, a 90.5-acre (36.6 ha) urban park a few blocks south of downtown Salem, features natural groves of nativeOregon White Oak trees, the historic Bush House, a rose garden, and adjacent Deepwood Estates.[68]
Other city parks include 101-acre (41 ha)Cascade Gateway Park and Marion Square Park, which is located downtown next toMarion Street Bridge and has askatepark and basketball court.[69] The skatepark also allows bicycles.[69] Marion Square Park was laid out by city founderWilliam H. Willson, and is the next oldest municipal park in Salem after Willson Park at the Oregon State Capitol.[69]
Across the Willamette River in West Salem is the 114-acre (46 ha)Wallace Marine Park, which includes a boat ramp and floating boat dock allowing easy access to the river for water sports. The NRHP-listedUnion Street Railroad Bridge, repurposed as a bicycle and pedestrian bridge, connects Wallace Marine Park and West Salem toRiverfront Park and downtown Salem.
Salem is also home to one of the smallest city parks in the world,Waldo Park, which consists of a singleSequoia tree.[70]
Thecapitol grounds, which are maintained by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, cover three city blocks and include Willson and Capitol parks.
Other large parks located in the Salem area include the 1,680-acre (680 ha) Willamette Mission State Park north of the city, and Silver Falls State Park east of Salem. Both of these parks have extensive hiking, biking, and horse trails.
Salem's central location provides access to a wide variety of recreational activities in a variety of climates and geographies year round. TheCoast Range and the Pacific Ocean are to the west. The Santiam Canyon area, theWestern Cascades and theHigh Cascades are to the east. Portland and its environs are to the north, while Eugene and its environs are to the south.
Salem also has two disc golf courses. A nine-hole course located in the woods of Woodmansee Park (located behind Judson Middle School), and a more open style 18-hole course located throughout Cascade Gateway Park. They are both free and open to the public.
Salem's public elementary and secondary schools are part of theSalem-Keizer School District, which includes almost all of the city limits.[71][72] The Salem-Keizer district has approximately 39,000 students and is the second largest public school district in the state.[73] A small section of Salem in Marion County is assigned toCascade School District 5.[71]
The city also has many private elementary and secondary schools such asBlanchet Catholic School andSalem Academy Christian. One school, Willamette Academy, is part of an outreach program run by Willamette University that is designed to expose under-represented students to the rewards of an academic life at an early age (7th–12th grade).[74]
Buses at the Downtown Transit Center ofCherriots in 2018Built in 1918, Salem's passenger train depot serves Amtrak and Greyhound.
Cherriots, an independent government agency, provides fixed-route bus service, rideshare matching, and paratransit/lift services for the disabled, within theurban growth boundary. They also operate Cherriots Regional, previously known as Chemeketa Area Regional Transportation System (CARTS), which provides bus service that connects Salem to destinations as far north asWilsonville, as far west asDallas, and to the east toSilverton and up the Santiam Canyon toMill City. Cherriots, in cooperation withWilsonville'sSMART, provides routes between downtown Salem and Wilsonville. From Wilsonville,WES Commuter Rail connects toTriMet routes in Beaverton, includingMAX Light Rail.
Greyhound Lines provides north–south service and connecting carrier service toBend, Oregon, from the Salem Amtrak station.
McNary Field (Salem-Willamette Valley Airport) is owned and operated by the City of Salem. It serves primarilygeneral aviation and theOregon National Guard – Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF).Delta Connection offered commercial air service with two daily flights toSalt Lake City, Utah, from July 2007. However, citing fuel costs versus aload factor of less than 85 percent, the service was discontinued in October 2008. The city plans to go forward with airport improvements that were announced when service was commenced, including a longer runway and an expanded terminal building.[79] Avelo Airlines began service to Burbank, CA and Las Vegas, NV in early October 2023.
Salem Hospital Regional Health Services, one of the largest of Oregon's 57 acute care hospitals, is a 454-bed acute care medical facility. It is a not-for-profit organization, and is also the city's largest private employer.[80]
Donald G. Malarkey, former non-commissioned officer with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army during World War II[100]
^Hagan, Chris (July 26, 2011)."A pair of CC tools for Tuesday".StatesmanJournal.com. Archived fromthe original on October 2, 2013. RetrievedOctober 2, 2013.Are you a Mid-Valley resident or a Salemite first?
MacGibbons, Elma (1904).Leaves of Knowledge. Spokane: Shaw & Borden Co.OCLC1048231403. Reminiscences of MacGibbons' travels in the United States starting in 1898, which were mainly in Oregon and Washington. Includes a chapter:"Salem, the Capital of Oregon".
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