The Native Americans who inhabited the central Willamette Valley at first European contact, the Kalapuya, called the area … See more

Salem is located in the north-central Willamette Valley, in Marion and Polk counties. The 45th Parallel (roughly the halfway point between the North Pole and the Equator) passes through Salem's city limits. … See more

As of the 2020 census, there were 175,535 people, and 64,426 households in the city. The population density was 3,596.8 people per square mile. The racial make up of the city was 75.3% White, 1.4% African American, … See more

Salem is governed using the council–manager government model. The city council consists of eight members who are elected from single member wards. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote.
The curren… See more

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. It lies along the I-5 corridor and is within an hour's driv… See more

Salem has 17 recognized neighborhood associations, which are independent groups that receive administrative support from the city.
The nonprofit group Salem Community Markets (SCM) … See more