Salem ZIP Codes — Essex County, MA

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Salem, Massachusetts. Area code: 978.

ZIP codes

8.24

sq mi land

9.33

sq mi water

978

area code

Salem, MA ZIP code map

About Salem, MA

Salem, Massachusetts, is a city rich in history and culture, well-known for its infamous witch trials of the 17th century. Located in Essex County, Salem attracts numerous visitors with its charming streets and historical landmarks. The city is compact yet vibrant, offering a blend of coastal beauty and urban life.

Location & geography

Salem is situated on the North Shore of Massachusetts, approximately 16 miles northeast of Boston and 20 miles southwest of Newburyport. The city covers a total land area of 8.24 square miles and has a water area of 9.33 square miles, giving it a unique coastal terrain. Nearby cities include Beverly to the north, Peabody to the west, Marblehead to the east, and Danvers to the southwest.

Community & economy

The character of Salem is defined by its rich history and a vibrant community that celebrates its cultural heritage. Local industries range from tourism, with visitors flocking to its landmarks, museums, and festivals, to small businesses that add to the eclectic charm of downtown. Daily life in Salem is enhanced by community events and a strong emphasis on preserving its historical identity.

Transportation

Salem is accessible via major highways, including Route 1A and Route 114, which connect seamlessly to surrounding areas. The nearest major airport is Logan International Airport, located about 18 miles to the southwest. Public transportation options include the MBTA commuter rail, which provides service to nearby cities and Boston.

History

Salem was settled in 1626 and later incorporated in 1629, making it one of the oldest cities in Massachusetts. Key industries historically included shipping and trade, flourishing during the early 18th century, and the city is now known for its connection to the witch trials of 1692, which attracted significant historical interest. Notable events, such as the trial and execution of many accused witches, have left a lasting legacy on both the local and national landscape.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Salem is that it was a major center of trade and commerce during the 18th and 19th centuries, which contributed significantly to its wealth and development. Additionally, Salem is home to the iconic Peabody Essex Museum, which houses an extensive collection of art and maritime artifacts.

ZIP codes for Salem, MA (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
01970	Salem	Essex	View map
01971	Salem	Essex	View map

Demographics & statistics

44,435

Population

38.0

Median age

$79,267

Median household income

$46,948

Per capita income

$464,600

Median home value

$1,676

Median monthly rent

50.7%

Home ownership

13.8%

Poverty rate

5.0%

Unemployment

11,253

Housing units

48.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,010

Under 5

1,213

849

5–9

1,021

848

10–14

1,020

1,186

15–19

1,426

1,686

20–24

2,027

3,609

25–34

4,338

2,653

35–44

3,189

2,339

45–54

2,812

1,406

55–59

1,690

1,238

60–64

1,488

2,049

65–74

2,462

878

75–84

1,056

428

85+

514

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	6,945	15.6%
18 and over	37,490	84.4%
65 and over	7,387	16.6%
Median age	38.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 68.8%

Hispanic or Latino 10.1%

Two or more races 7.2%

Other race 5.6%

Black or African American 5.3%

Asian 2.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	34,016	68.8%
Hispanic or Latino	4,998	10.1%
Two or more races	3,555	7.2%
Other race	2,788	5.6%
Black or African American	2,614	5.3%
Asian	1,367	2.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	95	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 4.3%

$10k–$15k 5.5%

$15k–$25k 7.8%

$25k–$35k 8.1%

$35k–$50k 7.0%

$50k–$75k 14.7%

$75k–$100k 11.9%

$100k–$150k 17.9%

$150k–$200k 11.4%

$200k+ 11.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.3%
$10k–$15k	5.5%
$15k–$25k	7.8%
$25k–$35k	8.1%
$35k–$50k	7.0%
$50k–$75k	14.7%
$75k–$100k	11.9%
$100k–$150k	17.9%
$150k–$200k	11.4%
$200k+	11.5%
Median income	$79,267

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.9%

$50k–$100k 0.3%

$100k–$150k 0.8%

$150k–$200k 1.3%

$200k–$300k 7.8%

$300k–$500k 47.2%

$500k–$1M 38.4%

$1M+ 2.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$464,600
Median rent / month	$1,676
Owner occupied	50.7%
Renter occupied	49.3%
Vacant	5.7%
Single-family detached	25.5%
Large apartment buildings	16.1%
Mobile homes	0.0%
Median rooms	4.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.32

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	2.1%
2000–2009	7.0%
1990–1999	3.3%
1980–1989	10.8%
1970–1979	8.0%
1960–1969	7.3%
1950–1959	6.3%
1940–1949	4.9%
1939 or earlier	50.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.2%
1 bedroom	19.3%
2 bedrooms	38.8%
3 bedrooms	27.0%
4 bedrooms	7.2%
5+ bedrooms	3.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	15.7%
1 vehicle	44.9%
2 vehicles	31.2%
3 or more	8.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	55.3%
Electricity	22.8%
Propane / LP gas	1.8%
Fuel oil	18.4%
Wood	0.2%
No fuel used	1.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	7,003	35.3%
Cohabiting couple	1,431	7.2%
Male householder, no spouse	3,764	19.0%
Female householder, no spouse	7,629	38.5%
Households with children under 18	4,275	21.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	5,848	29.5%
Average household size	2.17

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	43.2%	44.6%
Married	44.4%	35.9%
Separated	2.0%	2.1%
Widowed	1.6%	6.4%
Divorced	8.9%	11.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.3%

Some HS, no diploma 3.4%

HS graduate 21.8%

Some college, no degree 15.1%

Associate's degree 6.9%

Bachelor's degree 28.6%

Graduate / professional 19.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.2%
Bachelor's or higher	48.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	729	8.0%
Kindergarten	274	3.0%
Elementary school	2,586	28.3%
High school	1,503	16.4%
College / grad school	4,048	44.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.5%

Professional & management 16.6%

Retail trade 11.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.6%

Manufacturing 7.3%

Finance & real estate 6.6%

Transportation & utilities 5.2%

Other services 4.9%

Public administration 4.6%

Construction 3.3%

Information 2.9%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Agriculture & mining 0.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	47.6%
Service	18.1%
Sales & office	21.1%
Natural resources & construction	4.6%
Production & transportation	8.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.0%
Government	14.6%
Self-employed	5.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	61.0%
Carpool	7.1%
Public transit	6.8%
Walk	6.0%
Other means	3.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	30.2

Poverty

All people 13.8%

Under 18 years 21.9%

18 and over 12.2%

Married-couple families 3.4%

Female-led households 30.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	26.9%
Retirement income	16.7%
Supplemental Security	3.6%
Cash public assistance	3.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	25.1%
High cholesterol	27.4%
Heart disease	5.1%
Stroke	2.5%
Asthma	11.5%
Arthritis	23.0%
Kidney disease	2.5%
Pulmonary disease	5.2%
Cancer	6.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.2%
No physical activity	22.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.8%
Fair or poor health	11.6%
Poor mental health	14.9%
Poor physical health	8.8%
No health insurance	7.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.0%
Visited dentist	73.7%
Cholesterol screening	89.0%
Teeth loss	11.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,444	3.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.8%
Under 18	4.9%
18–64 years	8.7%
65 and over	30.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	73.8%
Public insurance	37.2%
Uninsured under 19	0.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	42,212	95.0%
Spanish	4,224	10.0%
Other Indo-European	2,636	6.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	956	2.3%
Other languages	298	0.7%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	37,879	85.2%
Born in same state	36,676	82.5%
Born in different state	27,249	61.3%
Foreign born	1,203	2.7%
Naturalized citizen	6,556	14.8%
Not a US citizen	4,220	64.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	9,936	22.4%
French	4,278	9.6%
German	1,540	3.5%
Arab	1,021	2.3%
Polish	352	0.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	293	0.7%
Norwegian	216	0.5%
Dutch	172	0.4%
Irish	63	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.6%
Internet access	92.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Salem, MA have?

Salem, MA has one ZIP code: 01970. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.