Overview

Introduction to Salem, Oregon

Salem is the capital city of the state of Oregon and also the county seat of Marion County. It is situated about 46 miles southwest of Portland in Oregon's Willamette River valley, one of the nation's most fertile agricultural regions. The city lies at the junction of Oregon State Highways 22, 213, and 221. Interstate I-5 provides northerly transportation to Portland and southerly to the city of Eugene.

One of Oregon's oldest communities, Salem was originally called Chemeketa, an Indian term meaning "meeting or resting place." It replaced Oregon City as the territorial capital in 1851, but in 1855 it was itself temporarily replaced as capital by the city of Corvallis (40 miles to the south). This arrangement lasted less than a year, after which time Salem was restored to its former status as territorial capital. Salem became incorporated as a city in 1857 and when Oregon achieved statehood two years later, Salem became its permanent state capital. Fire destroyed both of the city's first two Capitol buildings, one of which was copper-domed and modeled in part after the U.S. Capitol building. Salem's third (and present) Oregon State Capitol building was completed in 1938 at the site of the first two. The structure is distinguished by its gold-plated pioneer statue, known as the Oregon Pioneer, mounted atop the capitol dome.

Salem Events and Attractions

One of Oregon's premier cultural events is the annual Salem Art Fair & Festival. A July tradition for over half a century, the celebration set among historic oak trees in Bush's Pasture Park is the largest juried art festival of its kind in the state and one of the most spirited community-driven events in the Northwest. Another premiere city event is the annual World Beat Festival. Held in June, the two-day celebration at Riverfront Park features music, food, international crafts, and includes a Dragon Boat race. The city's largest event is late summer's Oregon State Fair. Celebrated at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in North Salem, the event offers exhibits and competitions typical of a traditional state fair and also features big-ticket concerts.

Salem also offers a wide variety of recreational and cultural places to visit. Silver Falls State Park, located 24 miles east of town, is Oregon's largest state park with a multiple-use trail system ranging more than 22 miles. Downtown Salem boasts the Oregon State Capitol, in addition to the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, the Mission Mill Museum, and the historic Elsinore Theatre. The Salem Repertory Theatre offers presentations at the Reed Opera House, an historic downtown structure. Museums in Salem include the Bush House Museum, A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, the Marion County Historical Society Museum & Education Center, and the Mission Mill Museum.

Professional sports can be found in the adjoining city of Keizer, home of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, a minor league Class Single-A baseball team affiliated with Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants. Nearby Corvallis is home to college baseball's Oregon State Beavers, winners of the 2006 College World Series and NCAA national champions. Less than an hour away is the city of Portland, home of the National Basketball Association's Portland Trail Blazers. Also in Portland are the Portland Beavers, a minor league baseball franchise affiliated with Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. The Beavers compete in the Class Triple-A Pacific Coast League. Hockey fans in Portland can root for the Portland Winter Hawks, a member of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Demographics

People

Total Population166,756
Male Share of the Population50.6%
Female Share of the Population49.4%
Senior Citizens13.9%
Employed Population 16+74,130
Age of the Population35

Families

% of people married44.6%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher24.7%
Median Earnings25+$32,424
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$22,284
Median Earnings With High School Degree$27,355

Wealth

Median Family Income$65,430
% Above Poverty Level84.4%
% Below Poverty Level15.6%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time22 minutes
% Working from Home5.3%
% Walking and Biking to Work4.4%
% Using Public Transportation2.7%

Housing

People Living Alone29.4%
Median Gross Rent$922
Median House Value$223,200

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)36.3%
German17.2%
Irish9.9%
English9.3%
Norwegian3.6%
Italian2.9%
Scottish2.7%
French Except Basque2.6%
Swedish2.2%
Polish1.6%
Dutch1.6%
Welsh1.1%
Russian1%
Danishn1%
African0.7%
Swiss0.5%
Hungarian0.5%
Canadian0.5%
Ukrainian0.5%
Portuguese0.3%
Greek0.3%
Austrian0.3%
Czech0.3%
Finnish0.3%
Arab0.2%
West Indian0.1%
Nigerian0.1%
Iranian0.1%
Lebanese0.1%
Belgian0.1%
Romanian0.1%
Slovak0.1%
Ethiopian0.1%
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Salem Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyPolk County, Marion County
Standard Zip Codes97304, 97301, 97302, 97306, 97317, 97303, 97305
P.O. Box Zip Codes97308, 97309, 97307
Company Zip Codes97312, 97310, 97311, 97314
Phone Area Codes5,03,971, 503
Time ZoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
Approximate Latitude45.02
Approximate Longitude-123.11

Salem Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationSALEM MCNARY AP
Distance3.4 miles
Jan Temp34 to 47 F
Apr Temp39 to 61 F
Jul Temp52 to 82 F
Oct Temp41 to 65 F
Annual Precip40 inches
StationDALLAS 2 NE
Distance13 miles
Jan Temp33 to 45 F
Apr Temp39 to 60 F
Jul Temp50 to 81 F
Oct Temp41 to 65 F
Annual Precip49.1 inches
StationSTAYTON
Distance15.3 miles
Jan Temp33 to 47 F
Apr Temp41 to 61 F
Jul Temp53 to 80 F
Oct Temp43 to 64 F
Annual Precip53.3 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Aumsville4,058$51,625
Independence9,556$54,983
Keizer38,479$73,723
Monmouth10,131$60,875
Silverton10,028$77,870
Turner2,284$84,643

Salem Public Libraries

Salem Public Library
585 LIBERTY ST SE
Salem, Oregon
(503) 588-6315
Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service
4000 LANCASTER DR NE
Salem, Oregon
(503) 399-5165

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More Information for Librarians

Salem Hospitals

Oregon State Hospital- Salem
(Government - State)
2600 Center Street
Oregon State Hospital Distinct Part
2600 Center Street Ne

Salem Public Schools

Auburn Elementary School
4612 Auburn Rd Ne
ZIP: 97301
(503) 399-3128
Primary
Total Enrollment 646
Bush Elementary School
410 14th St Se
ZIP: 97301
(503) 399-3134
Primary
Total Enrollment 309
Eagle Charter School
999a Locust Ave Ne
ZIP: 97301
(503) 339-7114
Primary
Total Enrollment 144
Englewood Elementary School
1132 19th St Ne
ZIP: 97301
(503) 399-3143
Primary
Total Enrollment 380
Eyre Elementary School
4868 Buffalo Dr Se
ZIP: 97301
(503) 399-3311
Primary
Total Enrollment 598
Grant Community School
725 Market St Ne
ZIP: 97301
(503) 399-3151
Primary
Total Enrollment 445
Hoover Elementary School
1104 Savage Rd Ne
ZIP: 97301
(503) 399-3157
Primary
Total Enrollment 506
Houck Middle School
1155 Connecticut
ZIP: 97301
(503) 399-3446
Middle
Total Enrollment 972
Jane Goodall Environmental Middle Charter School
999b Locust St Ne
ZIP: 97301
(503) 391-7030
Middle
Total Enrollment 97
North Salem High School
765 14th St Ne
ZIP: 97301
(503) 399-3241
High
Total Enrollment 1846
Parrish Middle School
802 Capitol St Ne
ZIP: 97301
(503) 399-3210
Middle
Total Enrollment 670
Richmond Elementary School
466 Richmond Ave Se
ZIP: 97301
(503) 399-3180
Primary
Total Enrollment 397
Roberts High School
3620 State St Se
ZIP: 97301
(503) 391-4075
High
Total Enrollment 454
Swegle Elementary School
1751 Aguilas Ct Ne
ZIP: 97301
(503) 399-3191
Primary
Total Enrollment 549
Waldo Middle School
2805 Lansing Ave Ne
ZIP: 97301
(503) 399-3215
Middle
Total Enrollment 926
Candalaria Elementary School
935 Hansen Ave S
ZIP: 97302
(503) 399-3136
Primary
Total Enrollment 352
Howard Street Charter
710 Howard St Se
ZIP: 97302
(503) 399-3408
Middle
Total Enrollment 161
Judson Middle School
4512 Jones Rd S
ZIP: 97302
(503) 399-3201
Middle
Total Enrollment 932
Leslie Middle School
3850 Pringle Rd Se
ZIP: 97302
(503) 399-3206
Middle
Total Enrollment 767
Mckinley Elementary School
466 Mcgilchrist St Se
ZIP: 97302
(503) 399-3167
Primary
Total Enrollment 334
Morningside Elementary School
3513 12th St Se
ZIP: 97302
(503) 399-3173
Primary
Total Enrollment 386
Salem Heights Elementary School
3495 Liberty Rd S
ZIP: 97302
(503) 399-3187
Primary
Total Enrollment 288
Schirle Elementary School
4875 Justice Way S
ZIP: 97302
(503) 399-3277
Primary
Total Enrollment 445
South Salem High School
1910 Church St Se
ZIP: 97302
(503) 399-3252
High
Total Enrollment 1904
Sprague High School
2373 Kuebler Blvd S
ZIP: 97302
(503) 399-3261
High
Total Enrollment 1692
Wright Elementary School
4060 Lone Oak Rd Se
ZIP: 97302
(503) 399-3198
Primary
Total Enrollment 428
Hallman Elementary School
4000 Deerhaven Dr Ne
ZIP: 97303
(503) 399-3451
Primary
Total Enrollment 459
Highland Elementary School
530 Highland Ave Ne
ZIP: 97303
(503) 399-3155
Primary
Total Enrollment 400
Oregon School For The Deaf
999-a Locust St Ne
ZIP: 97303
(503) 378-3825
Other
Total Enrollment 114
Washington Elementary School
3165 Lansing Ave Ne
ZIP: 97303
(503) 399-3193
Primary
Total Enrollment 442
Brush College Elementary School
2623 Doaks Ferry Rd Nw
ZIP: 97304
(503) 399-3132
Primary
Total Enrollment 201
Chapman Hill Elementary School
1500 Doaks Ferry Rd Nw
ZIP: 97304
(503) 399-3195
Primary
Total Enrollment 360
Harritt Elementary School
2112 Linwood St Nw
ZIP: 97304
(503) 399-3457
Primary
Total Enrollment 496
Hayesville Elementary School
4545 Ward Dr Ne
ZIP: 97304
(503) 399-3153
Primary
Total Enrollment 450
Kalapuya Elementary School
2085 Wilmington Ave Nw
ZIP: 97304
(503) 399-2110
Primary
Total Enrollment 614
Myers Elementary School
2160 Jewel St Nw
ZIP: 97304
(503) 399-3175
Primary
Total Enrollment 478
Straub Middle School
1920 Wilmington Ave Nw
ZIP: 97304
(503) 399-2030
Middle
Total Enrollment 585
Wake Robin School
1520 Plaza St Nw Ste 100
ZIP: 97304
(541) 757-5965
Other
Total Enrollment 5
Walker Middle School
1075 8th St Nw
ZIP: 97304
(503) 399-3220
Middle
Total Enrollment 612
West Salem High School
1776 Titan Way
ZIP: 97304
(503) 399-5533
High
Total Enrollment 1732
Cesar E Chavez Elem
2400 Walker Rd Ne
ZIP: 97305
(503) 399-2571
Primary
Total Enrollment 580
Chemawa Indian School
3700 Chemawa Road Ne
ZIP: 97305
(503) 399-5721
High
Early College High School
4071 Winema Pl Bldg 50
ZIP: 97305
(503) 365-4801
High
Total Enrollment 208
Hammond Elementary School
4900 Bayne St Ne
ZIP: 97305
(503) 399-3454
Primary
Total Enrollment 516
Lamb Elementary School
4930 Herrin Rd Ne
ZIP: 97305
(503) 399-3477
Primary
Total Enrollment 472
Mckay High School
2440 Lancaster Dr Ne
ZIP: 97305
(503) 399-3080
High
Total Enrollment 2225
Pratum Elementary School
8995 Sunnyview Rd Ne
ZIP: 97305
(503) 362-8812
Primary
Total Enrollment 78
Scott Elementary School
4700 Arizona Ave Ne
ZIP: 97305
(503) 399-3302
Primary
Total Enrollment 623
Stephens Middle School
4962 Haysville Dr Ne
ZIP: 97305
(503) 399-3442
Middle
Total Enrollment 1053
Valley Inquiry Charter School
5774 Hazelgreen Rd Ne
ZIP: 97305
(503) 399-3150
Primary
Total Enrollment 167
Yoshikai Elementary School
4900 Jade St Ne
ZIP: 97305
(503) 399-3438
Primary
Total Enrollment 536
Battle Creek Elementary School
1640 Waln Dr Se
ZIP: 97306
(503) 399-2062
Primary
Total Enrollment 527
Crossler Middle School
1155 Davis Rd S
ZIP: 97306
(503) 399-3444
Middle
Total Enrollment 692
Lee Elementary School
5650 Venice St Se
ZIP: 97306
(503) 399-5570
Primary
Total Enrollment 318
Liberty Elementary School
4871 Liberty Rd S
ZIP: 97306
(503) 399-3165
Primary
Total Enrollment 378
Pringle Elementary School
5500 Reed Ln Se
ZIP: 97306
(503) 399-3178
Primary
Total Enrollment 525
Sumpter Elementary School
525 Rockwood St Se
ZIP: 97306
(503) 399-3337
Primary
Total Enrollment 500
Robert S Farrell High School
2450 Strong Rd Se
ZIP: 97310
(503) 986-0440
Other
Total Enrollment 111
Four Corners Elementary School
500 Elma Ave Se
ZIP: 97317
(503) 399-3145
Primary
Total Enrollment 521
Miller Elementary School
1650 46th Pl Se
ZIP: 97317
(503) 399-3332
Primary
Total Enrollment 425

Salem Private Schools

Blanchet School
4373 Market St Ne
ZIP: 97301
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 369
Little Village Learning Center
445 High St Se # 140
ZIP: 97301
Elementary
Total Enrollment 15
Salem Academy
942 Lancaster Dr Ne
ZIP: 97301
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 590
Salem Christian Day School
1550 Market St Ne
ZIP: 97301
Elementary
Total Enrollment 12
Salem Montessori School
2140 16th St Ne
ZIP: 97301
Elementary
Total Enrollment 2
St Johns Lutheran School
1350 Court St Ne
ZIP: 97301
Elementary
Total Enrollment 15
St Joseph School
373 Winter St Ne
ZIP: 97301
Elementary
Total Enrollment 169
St Mark Child Development Center
790 Marion St Ne
ZIP: 97301
Elementary
Total Enrollment 11
St Vincent De Paul School
1015 Columbia St Ne
ZIP: 97301
Elementary
Total Enrollment 63
Abiqua School
4985 Battle Creek Rd Se Ste 107
ZIP: 97302
Elementary
Total Enrollment 149
Buttercup Hill
4915a Sunnyside Rd Se
ZIP: 97302
Elementary
Total Enrollment 48
Heritage School
2050 Strong Rd Se
ZIP: 97302
Elementary
Total Enrollment 34
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran School
510 Idylwood Dr Se
ZIP: 97302
Elementary
Total Enrollment 61
Kindercare Learning Centers In
875 Promontory Pl Se
ZIP: 97302
Elementary
Total Enrollment 8
Montessori Discovery
1055 Electric Ave Se
ZIP: 97302
Elementary
Total Enrollment 11
Queen Of Peace School
4227 Lone Oak Rd Se
ZIP: 97302
Elementary
Total Enrollment 129
Lollipop Tree Learning Center
982 Shangri La Ave Ne
ZIP: 97303
Elementary
Total Enrollment 15
Salem Child Development Center
1550 Fairgrounds Rd Ne
ZIP: 97303
Elementary
Total Enrollment 26
Riviera Christian School
1650 Brush College Rd Nw
ZIP: 97304
Elementary
Total Enrollment 105
Western Mennonite School
9045 Wallace Rd Nw
ZIP: 97304
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 230
Chemeketa Child Development Center
4000 Lancaster Dr Ne # 39
ZIP: 97305
Elementary
Total Enrollment 7
Grace Academy
4105 Lancaster Dr Ne
ZIP: 97305
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 4
Willamette Valley Christian School
9075 Pueblo Ave Ne
ZIP: 97305
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 120
Bud To Blossom Children's School Of Discovery
5000 Skyline Rd
ZIP: 97306
Elementary
Total Enrollment 15
Livingstone Adventist Academy
5771 Fruitland Rd Ne
ZIP: 97317
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 210
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