Salem, Oregon
About Salem
Set in the central part of Oregon, Salem is a mid-size city with an estimated population of 180,406. It ranks as the 2nd largest city in Oregon.
Salem holds the status of an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 48.94 square miles, giving it a compact, walkable footprint at roughly 3,686 residents per square mile.
📰 Salem News Today
- Marion County employees say pattern of retaliation, surveillance keeps them quiet Salem Reporter · Aug 14
- Salem Brought a Guillotine To Oppose New Data Center. Company Reps Left, Feeling “Unsafe”. Yahoo · Aug 6
- Check Out the New Salem Oregon Crunch Fitness Location KOIN.com · Aug 17
- Mary Jo Ann McGrath Obituary (2026) - Salem, OR - City View Funeral Home and Cemetery Legacy obituary · Aug 18
- Steve Barber Statesman Journal · Aug 17
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Salem Unique
- One of the 5 largest cities in Oregon (#2 statewide).
- One of 21 places in the US named Salem — but the Oregon one has a character all its own.
- Home to 6.0% of Oregon's city-dwelling population.
Why People Love It Here
- A deep job market and services that draw people from across the region.
- Serious economic gravity — one of the region's employment and cultural hubs.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 5 miles.
📍 Neighborhoods in Salem
Click a neighborhood to see it on the map.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Salem
- 503 Sushi Bar — japanese
- AKAI Ramen & Izakaya
- Applebee's — american
- Bearwolf Catering and PNW Deli — sandwich
- Big Blue Thai BBQ — thai
- Black Bear Diner — american
- Broadway Coffee — coffee shop (café)
- Chen’s Family Dish Six Wok & Bar — chinese
- Cindy Lou's — barbecue
- Damascus Kitchen — arab
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🎡 Fun Things to Do
- Annex at the Bush Barn Art Center · Art gallery
- Bush Barn Art Center · Art gallery
- Bush House Museum · Museum
- Hallie Ford Art Museum · Museum
- Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health · Museum
- Studios at The Mill · Art gallery
- Willamette Heritage Center · Museum
- A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village · Museum
- Lex Arcade · Arcade
- Memory Lane Arcade · Arcade
Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Salem
- Bush's Pasture Park reviews ★
- Isaac's Garden · Garden reviews ★
- Minto-Brown Island Park · Nature reserve reviews ★
- North Mall Heritage Park reviews ★
- State Capitol State Park reviews ★
- Aldrich Park reviews ★
- Audubon Riparian Reserve · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Barrick Field City Park reviews ★
- Bryan Johnston Park reviews ★
- Candalaria Park reviews ★
- Capitol Park reviews ★
- Chandler Nature Park reviews ★
Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.
🏫 Schools in Salem
- Auburn Elementary School
- Brush College Elementary School
- Bush Elementary School
- Candalaria Elementary School
- Crossler Middle School
- Eagle Charter School
- Englewood Elementary School
- Four Corners Elementary School
- Houck Middle School
- Oregon School for the Deaf
- Stephens Middle School
- Willamette Career Academy
- Wright Elementary School
- Yoshikai Elementary School
Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.
🏥 Hospitals & Healthcare
- Salem Hospital ★★★ (3/5 CMS rating) · 24/7 ER
- Oregon State Hospital Distinct Part · Psychiatric
Medicare-registered hospitals with official CMS star ratings.