Population 178,635 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Salinas: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Salinas
Household size in Salinas
| Period | Salinas | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.66 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.83 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.89 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.76 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.10 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Salinas is a place of big households: 3.76 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 3.66, even as the national average fell.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Salinas
| Period | Salinas | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.0 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 31.5 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.1 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.8 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.7 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
Salinas is young: half of its residents are under 33.8, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 31.0, as it has nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Salinas
| Period | Salinas | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.0% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 18.6% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 22.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head more than one in five households in Salinas (22.4%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 2.4 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 37 have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Salinas
Renters in Salinas
| Period | Salinas | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.4% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 52.8% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 51.3% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 49.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Salinas than nationally: 49.4% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 41.3% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the northeast. The renter share has edged up 1.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Salinas
| Period | Salinas | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.3% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Salinas: just 4.7% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.5 points, mirroring the country. Salinas has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of California cities.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Salinas
| Period | Salinas | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1976 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in Salinas was built around 1978, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the south.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Salinas
| Period | Salinas | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,157 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,270 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,541 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,095 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$938 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Salinas costs $2,095 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in California overall ($2,229). Rent has climbed $938 a month since 2006–10, up 81%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 32.4% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Salinas
Bachelor's degrees in Salinas
| Period | Salinas | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.2% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.4% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.1% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Salinas: 18.1% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 3.3 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the east.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Salinas
| Period | Salinas | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 60.3% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 61.9% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 60.7% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 62.5% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly four in ten adults in Salinas never finished high school, well above the national share: only 62.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 2.2 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 48 have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Salinas
| Period | Salinas | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.8% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.9% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.1 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Salinas is close to the national rate: 4.7% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is lower than in California overall (6.6%). Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 6.1 points, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Salinas compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salinas | 3.76 | 33.8 | 22.4% | 49.4% | 4.7% | 1978 | $2,095 | 18.1% | 62.5% | 4.7% |
| East Garrison | 2.82 | 43.1 | 10.0% | 37.5% | 14.2% | 1979 | $1,092 | 31.0% | 69.3% | 7.5% |
| Spreckels | 2.59 | 46.1 | 9.1% | 22.4% | 7.4% | 1981 | $1,930 | 48.6% | 83.5% | 5.2% |
| Prunedale | 3.44 | 40.2 | 9.9% | 22.1% | 4.5% | 1976 | $1,847 | 25.3% | 79.2% | 8.3% |
| Marina | 2.81 | 36.8 | 10.2% | 57.0% | 10.5% | 1991 | $2,432 | 49.7% | 90.3% | 6.6% |
| Castroville | 4.50 | 28.2 | 30.0% | 53.9% | 8.6% | 1983 | $1,732 | 6.4% | 50.2% | 5.5% |
| Chualar | 3.56 | 31.0 | 22.0% | 62.7% | 11.9% | 1989 | $1,327 | 12.2% | 51.2% | 1.9% |
| Seaside | 2.96 | 36.3 | 13.5% | 64.6% | 10.3% | 1972 | $2,341 | 32.9% | 81.6% | 5.7% |
| Sand City | 2.59 | 34.5 | 14.2% | 76.6% | 8.4% | 1966 | $2,162 | 25.2% | 67.6% | 1.7% |
| Del Rey Oaks | 2.35 | 49.3 | 2.8% | 29.7% | 9.4% | 1959 | $3,200 | 44.6% | 95.8% | 10.9% |
| Carmel Valley Village | 2.29 | 55.9 | 6.4% | 16.8% | 9.9% | 1973 | $2,481 | 64.3% | 98.9% | 7.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Folsom, CA · Fayetteville, GA · Fontana, CA · Fayetteville, AR · Farmington Hills, MI · Fishers, IN · Flint, MI · Detroit, MI · Conroe, TX · Costa Mesa, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Salinas. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.