Salem, Massachusetts

Salem is a city located in Essex County, Massachusetts. It is famous for the Salem witch trials of 1692 and continues to exploit the incident as a tourist attraction. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 40,407. It is the county seat of Essex County⁶.

The Salem witch trials began on March 1, 1692 in nearby Salem Village when four women were charged with witchcraft.

Geography Salem is located at 42°31'1" North, 70°53'55" West (42.516845, -70.898503)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.8 km² (18.1 mi²). 21.0 km² (8.1 mi²) of it is land and 25.8 km² (9.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 55.09% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 40,407 people, 17,492 households, and 9,708 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,926.1/km² (4,986.0/mi²). There are 18,175 housing units at an average density of 866.3/km² (2,242.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 85.37% White, 3.15% African American, 0.22% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.74% from other races, and 2.47% from two or more races. 11.24% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 17,492 households out of which 24.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% are married couples living together, 13.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% are non-families. 34.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.24 and the average family size is 2.95.

In the city the population is spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $44,033, and the median income for a family is $55,635. Males have a median income of $38,563 versus $31,374 for females. The per capita income for the city is $23,857. 9.7% of the population and 6.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 12.2% are under the age of 18 and 7.9% are 65 or older.

Further Reading

• In the Devil's Snare The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692, Mary Beth Nortonk, Knopf, 2002, hardcover, 432 pages, ISBN 037540709x